A Dramatic Realization From the Haggadah of Pesach 5780-5781

 

From the Meam Loez Haggadah, translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, with commentary by Rabbi Yaakov Culi  (1689 - 1732), Ashkenazic. 

While discussing the Haggadah with my husband, I turned to the Meam Loez, and ‘randomly' opened to pp 66-67 and therein read a fascinating statement:

“We therefore see that each of the Ten Plagues also included a deadly epidemic, alluded to by the word “Hand.” This was a very severe punishment (Maasey Hashem) 

[you can read beginning from”With a strong hand”]

This brought to mind that in the world today, we are witnessing extreme flooding, typhoons, and tornados devastating land and people. While at the same time, we have been under the “spell of Pandemic” for over a year, and it has not left the pages of papers and online news. The “spell” continues with more expected to come. Thus in our day we are witnessing Mitzrayim “plagues” on people and animals, and the “spell” of an epidemic lingering over peoples. All at the same time. 

I dedicate this amazing realization to friend-blogger MyrtleRising, as I was inspired by her recent post all about the Meam Loez Haggadah. You can read her excellent Pesach in 1600s-1700s vs today