Many years after Yosef, the son of Yaakov, had brought his family to Egypt, the Jewish people, called the Israelites, had grown into a large nation. But over time, a new Pharaoh, who did not remember Yosef, became the ruler of Egypt. This Pharaoh was afraid of the Israelites because they were so numerous and strong. He worried that they might one day rise up against him. So Pharaoh made a terrible decision—he turned the Israelites into slaves.

The life of a slave was hard and painful. The Jewish people were forced to work long hours, building Pharaoh’s cities, carrying heavy stones, and making bricks from mud and straw under the hot sun. Even as they suffered, the people held onto their faith in Hashem, praying for freedom and hoping that one day, Hashem would save them.

Hashem heard their cries and decided it was time to free the Jewish people from slavery. Hashem chose a man named Moses, who had grown up in Pharaoh’s palace but had never forgotten his people. Moses had a kind heart and strong faith, and he deeply cared about the suffering of his fellow Israelites.

One day, while tending sheep, Moses saw a bush that was on fire but was not burning up. He approached, curious, and heard Hashem’s voice coming from the bush. Hashem told Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand that he let the Israelites go free. Although Moses felt nervous and wondered if Pharaoh would listen, he trusted Hashem and went to Egypt with his brother, Aaron, by his side.

Moses and Aaron stood before Pharaoh in his grand palace. Pharaoh was surrounded by his advisors, and his face was stern and cold. Moses and Aaron told Pharaoh, “Hashem, the God of Israel, says, ‘Let My people go!’” But Pharaoh laughed and said, “Who is this Hashem that I should listen to Him? I do not know Hashem, and I will not let the Israelites go.”

Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he refused to free the Israelites. So, Hashem decided to send signs and wonders to show Pharaoh that He was the true God. These signs would come as ten powerful plagues, each one more serious than the last, showing Pharaoh that he must let Hashem’s people go.

The First Plague: Blood

Hashem told Moses to strike the waters of the Nile River with his staff. As he did, the water in the river turned into blood. The fish died, and the river smelled terrible. The people of Egypt could not drink the water and had to dig around the river to find fresh water to drink. But despite this, Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go.

The Second Plague: Frogs

Then Hashem sent a second plague. Suddenly, frogs appeared all over Egypt. They hopped into houses, jumped into beds, and even filled the ovens and bowls of the Egyptians. The frogs were everywhere! Pharaoh was frustrated and called Moses and Aaron, saying, “Please ask Hashem to remove the frogs, and I will let the people go.” But once the frogs were gone, Pharaoh changed his mind and kept the Israelites as slaves.

The Third Plague: Lice

Hashem then sent a third plague. Moses struck the dust of the ground, and it turned into tiny lice that covered people and animals. The Egyptians tried to stop the lice, but they could not. Even Pharaoh’s magicians said, “This must be the work of Hashem!” But Pharaoh still refused to free the Israelites.

The Fourth Plague: Wild Animals

Next, Hashem sent wild animals into Egypt. Lions, bears, and wolves roamed through the towns, scaring the people and causing chaos. But miraculously, none of the wild animals entered the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived. Pharaoh was frightened and again promised to let the people go if the animals left. But as soon as they were gone, Pharaoh changed his mind again.

The Fifth Plague: Diseased Livestock

Then, Hashem sent a disease that affected only the Egyptian animals—cows, horses, camels, sheep, and donkeys. Many of the animals fell sick, but none of the Israelites’ animals were harmed. Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not let the people go.

The Sixth Plague: Boils

Next, Hashem instructed Moses and Aaron to take ashes from a furnace and throw them into the air. The ashes caused painful boils to appear on the skin of the Egyptians and even Pharaoh’s advisors. The sores were so painful that no one could stand before Moses and Aaron. Yet, Pharaoh would not give in.

The Seventh Plague: Hail

Hashem then sent a terrifying hailstorm. Huge balls of ice mixed with fire rained down, destroying crops, trees, and anything outside. The hail was so powerful that it broke buildings and injured animals. But once again, the land of Goshen was safe, and no hail fell there. Pharaoh, terrified, promised to let the Israelites go if the hail stopped. But as soon as the hail ended, he changed his mind once more.

The Eighth Plague: Locusts

Next, Hashem sent a swarm of locusts that covered the land. The locusts ate every green plant, leaf, and piece of fruit they could find. Egypt’s fields were left bare and empty. Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron, begging them to ask Hashem to take the locusts away. But when they were gone, he broke his promise once again.

The Ninth Plague: Darkness

Then, Hashem sent a thick darkness that covered Egypt for three days. The darkness was so dense that the Egyptians couldn’t see their own hands in front of their faces, and they couldn’t leave their homes. But in Goshen, where the Israelites lived, there was light. Pharaoh called Moses and said they could go, but he changed his mind once again when the darkness lifted.

The Tenth Plague: The Death of the Firstborn

Finally, Hashem told Moses that there would be one last, terrible plague. Every firstborn child in Egypt would fall ill that night, from the children of Pharaoh to the poorest families. Hashem told the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb so that the plague would pass over their homes.

That night, the terrible plague struck Egypt, and cries of sorrow filled the land. Pharaoh’s own son fell ill, and he knew he could not continue to keep the Israelites as slaves. Heartbroken and defeated, Pharaoh finally told Moses, “Take your people and leave Egypt.”

The Exodus Begins

That very night, the Israelites prepared to leave. They packed their belongings quickly, took their bread dough before it had risen, and gathered together with their families. Moses led the way, and Hashem guided them out of Egypt with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

As they left Egypt, the people felt a mixture of relief, excitement, and wonder. After years of suffering, they were finally free! They walked through the desert, following Hashem’s guidance, with hopes of reaching the land Hashem had promised them.

But Pharaoh changed his mind once more and decided to chase after the Israelites with his army. The Israelites reached the edge of the Red Sea and saw Pharaoh’s army approaching from behind. Trapped between the sea and the Egyptian soldiers, they were afraid and cried out to Hashem for help.

Hashem told Moses to lift his staff over the sea. As he did, an incredible miracle happened: the waters of the Red Sea parted, creating a dry path right through the middle of the sea. The Israelites quickly crossed, walking between two towering walls of water, reaching the other side safely.

When Pharaoh’s army tried to follow, the sea returned to its normal state, and the waters closed over the Egyptian soldiers. The Israelites watched in awe, realising that Hashem had saved them once again.

Safe on the other shore, the people burst into song, led by Moses and his sister Miriam. They sang praises to Hashem for freeing them from slavery and guiding them to freedom. Miriam took up her tambourine, and the women danced joyfully, singing songs of gratitude.

The Jewish people continued their journey through the desert, knowing that Hashem was with them. From that day on, they celebrated their freedom every year, remembering the great miracles Hashem had performed to save them and bring them out of Egypt.

This story reminds us that even in the darkest moments, Hashem is always there to guide us, protect us, and help us find our way to freedom and happiness.