It's easy to see them as simply divine punishments, but Jewish tradition often delves deeper, searching for layers of meaning and nuance. Let's look at the plague of darkness, as explored in Shemot Rabbah (a classical collection of homiletic interpretations on the Book of Exodus).

Why did God, who shows no favoritism and knows our innermost thoughts, bring darkness upon Egypt? Shemot Rabbah offers a fascinating reason: some Israelites had become too comfortable in Egypt. They had Egyptian patrons, wealth, and status. They didn't want to leave.

God, blessed be He, knew that if these Israelites simply died during a public plague, the Egyptians would say, "See? What happened to us happened to them too." It would diminish the miracle, the distinct salvation meant for the Israelites. So, God brought darkness upon Egypt for three days so the Israelites could bury their dead quietly, without the Egyptians seeing and drawing false equivalencies. This way, the Israelites would praise God for their unique deliverance.

But what kind of darkness was it? Shemot Rabbah offers different interpretations. Rabbi Avdimi of Haifa says it was "darkness many times over" – an exceptionally intense blackness. Others suggest it lasted not three days, but seven!

The first three days were disorienting. If you were sitting, you could stand; if you were standing, you could sit… but nothing more. As Exodus says, "There was a thick darkness in the entire land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another." (Exodus 10:22-23). Then, it got worse.

For the next three days, movement became impossible. If you were sitting, you were stuck sitting. Standing? You couldn't sit. Crouching? You were frozen in that position. "…and no one rose from his place for three days." (Exodus 10:23). Imagine the sheer terror and helplessness!

But here's where the story gets even more interesting. During these days of impenetrable darkness, the Israelites did something quite clever. They went into Egyptian homes, saw their valuables – silver, gold, clothing – and mentally "cataloged" them. Then, after the darkness lifted, they asked the Egyptians to borrow these very items.

If an Egyptian said, "We don't have anything to lend," the Israelite would reply, "Oh, but it's in this specific place." How did they know? The Egyptians were stunned. They reasoned that if the Israelites had wanted to steal, they could have easily done so during the darkness. Since they didn't, they must be trustworthy and would surely return the items.

This, according to Shemot Rabbah, is how God granted the Israelites favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, fulfilling the prophecy: "Then they will emerge with great property" (Genesis 15:14). What a fascinating twist!

And the light? “But for all the children of Israel there was light…” (Exodus 10:23). It wasn't just light in the land of Goshen, but "in their dwellings." Wherever a Jew went, light followed, illuminating everything – barrels, boxes, treasure chests. It was a personal, miraculous light. As it says in Psalms, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalms 119:105).

So, we have six days of darkness in Egypt. But the Shemot Rabbah doesn't stop there. It adds a seventh day: the darkness at the Red Sea! As Exodus 14:20 says, "There was the cloud and the darkness and it illuminated the night." God sent a cloud of darkness to obscure the Egyptians while simultaneously providing light for the Israelites, mirroring what happened in Egypt. “The Lord is my light and my salvation” (Psalms 27:1).

And the Shemot Rabbah concludes with a powerful thought: this pattern of darkness and light isn't just a historical event. It's a recurring theme. "For, behold, darkness will cover the earth…" (Isaiah 60:2). The implication being that even in the darkest times, there is the promise of light, of salvation, for those who remain faithful.

So, the next time you read about the plague of darkness, remember it’s not just about divine punishment. It’s about hidden motivations, quiet miracles, and the enduring promise of light even in the deepest darkness. It is about how God works in mysterious ways, ensuring that His people are not only freed but also vindicated, and ultimately, blessed.