The 10 modern plagues

As I reflect on my cherished memories of the Pesach Seder, one moment stands out: the playful singing of one of the Haggadah's opening paragraphs set to the tune of "Row, row, row your boat." The words of the Haggadah – stating that in every generation, one must see themselves as if they had personally left Egypt – ring true.

While living in a free country, where we are able to practice our faith without fear, it can be difficult to comprehend such an edict. However, the story of the exodus from Egypt is much more than just a historical event. It holds deep spiritual, emotional and psychological significance that remains relevant today. The 10 plagues that befell Egypt serve as a central theme. Regrettably, Pharoah chose to disregard the Jews’ suffering and refused to allow them to leave.

Unfortunately, today society often turns a blind eye to modern plagues that strike at different times. So, let me examine each of the original plagues and determine how they can be applied in a modern context.

Blood: Water, the source of life, is contaminated in many parts of the world, rendering it unfit for consumption. Numerous people in Africa lack access to this essential resource. Like Pharaoh, world leaders and populations often pretend the problem doesn't exist.

Content with our own comfort and luxury, we become apathetic to those suffering.

Frogs: Each strike to stop them only caused further multiplication. Violence begets violence and striking out at problems only causes more problems. Today, instead of looking for peaceful solutions, violence is all too often the sledgehammer approach taken.

The exodus didn’t result in absolute freedom. Instead, it precipitated our acceptance of the Torah. New rules were imposed. New dictates were enacted. Laws restricting who we could marry, what we could eat, what we

The world has indeed changed and we must adapt accordingly if we are to survive as a people. But this cannot be done at the expense of what created us a people in the first place – our faith and our timeless traditions.

Lice: Although tiny, lice caused frustration and trouble in Egypt. Ignoring hygiene and "invisible" dangers can be risky, and we must prioritise our physical health and well-being.

Wild Animals: People were terrorised by them. Unfortunately, as domestic violence figures will attest, many today behave like wild animals. Real change, not just social media posts, is required.

Pestilence: A deadly disease that killed most domesticated animals, pestilence threatened the concept of the home. Today, with technological advancement, family dinners and outdoor play are becoming increasingly rare. That is not change for the better.

Boils: Just as the boils that afflicted the Egyptians caused immense physical pain and suffering, discrimination based on gender, identity and religious beliefs inflicts profound emotional and psychological pain on those that experience it. Discrimination can take many forms, including verbal harassment, physical violence, exclusion and unequal treatment. It can lead to feelings of shame, isolation and despair, damaging mental health and wellbeing.

Hail: The Torah instructs us to respect our elders, but today disrespect for teachers, parents and the elderly is rampant. Our youth must be heard, but not at the expense of rudeness and disrespect.

Locusts: The locusts that destroyed everything green in their path in Egypt serve as a metaphor for the Western world's insatiable appetite for material goods, wealth and power. The pursuit of materialistic goals has become so pervasive that it has caused us to forget what it means to be content with what we have. The result has been a society plagued by obesity, anxiety and depression, with many struggling to find happiness and fulfillment in their lives. The focus on the material has also led to environmental destruction, as natural resources are exploited and depleted at an alarming rate. We must reconsider our priorities and shift towards a more sustainable and equitable way of life that prioritises human wellbeing and the health of our planet.

Darkness: Egypt was enveloped in a thick and impenetrable veil of darkness. We must not ignore the plight of those in front of us. We should remain mindful of our brothers and sisters and not allow selfishness to overtake us.

Death of the First Born: Protecting our children is paramount in every setting. With so many distractions, each person has a vital role to play. The community working together must remain vigilant.

So, it is incumbent upon us not to turn a blind eye to the issues that plague our society. Our forebears overcame great adversity to leave the land of Egypt. We, too, possess the power to effect positive change. Every one of us has a role to play in shaping a better world. By joining together, we can enact a meaningful and lasting transformation. As we strive towards this goal, we seek the divine blessings of Hashem to enable us to triumph over adversity.