We read about a “strong hand,” an “outstretched arm,” signs, and wonders. But what are those, really?
The Sifrei Devarim, a collection of early Jewish legal interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy, offers a fascinating explanation. When the Torah describes how God redeemed the Israelites from Egypt "with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with great awe, and with signs and wonders" (Deuteronomy 26:8), it's not just poetic language. It’s pointing to very specific things. , piece by piece.
First, "and with signs" – u'votot in Hebrew. According to the Sifrei Devarim, this refers directly to Moses' staff. Remember that iconic image? That staff wasn't just a walking stick. It was an instrument of divine power. As we see in Exodus 4:17, God tells Moses, "And this staff you shall take in your hand, wherewith you shall do the signs.” It’s a direct connection! The staff is the sign.
Then we have "and with wonders" – u'mophtim. The Sifrei Devarim connects this to the blood plague. Think about the sheer terror and chaos of the Nile turning to blood. The prophet Joel, in Joel 3:3, foreshadows such events when he proclaims, "And I will set wonders in heaven and earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke." The blood plague wasn’t just a disaster; it was a wonder, a mophet, a demonstration of divine power that defied the natural order.
But the Sifrei Devarim doesn't stop there. It offers another layer of interpretation, almost like a mathematical equation. It says that "with a strong hand" represents two plagues, "with an outstretched arm" represents two, "with great fears" represents two, "with signs" represents two, and "with wonders" represents two. Add them all up, and what do you get? Ten!
These, the Sifrei emphasizes, are the ten plagues that God, blessed be He, brought upon the Egyptians. Each phrase in the Torah, each seemingly simple word, hints at the full scope of devastation and, ultimately, redemption.
So, next time you read the story of the Exodus, remember the staff, the blood, and the ten plagues. Remember that the words of the Torah are layered with meaning, waiting to be unpacked. And remember that even in the midst of suffering, there is always the promise of liberation, a promise etched in signs and wonders.