Q&A: The Ten Plagues
The Ten Plagues
Question
I wanted to know what was unique about the plague of the firstborn that it is defined by this miracle—that God did not strike the firstborn of Israel and that there was a need to paint the doorposts—such that to this day firstborns fast on the Fast of the Firstborn, and the whole concept of redeeming the firstborn is based on that miracle. How is this different from the other plagues, where God knew how to distinguish on His own, without any special miracle, between the homes of Israel and those of the Egyptians?
Answer
It seems to me that what was unique about this plague was not the miracle, but the special relationship we received. The emphasis expressed in the request made of us to paint the doorposts points to a special, personal treatment.
Discussion on Answer
Based on what I explained above, this is not a commemoration of a special miracle but of the personal relationship. Perhaps the Fast of the Firstborn is observed in order to internalize that. The special relationship is expressed in the fact that the Holy One, blessed be He, Himself (“I and not an angel, I and not a messenger”) passes through Egypt in this plague (unlike the earlier ones), and He asks us to mark ourselves out for His sake.
So why is there a redemption of the firstborn? Why is there still a fast for this to this day? What special treatment was there in the plague of the firstborn that was preferable to the plague of darkness or blood, where they were also clearly distinguished between the people of Israel and the Egyptians?