en their taskmasters beat them. Plagues on the animals show that it is forbidden to dehumanize a person. In this way, the plagues offer a measure-for-measure punishment for the persecution of an innocent slave population.
Through each plague, God teaches Pharaoh and his people basic lessons in theology, and informs Pharaoh of the Divine concern for every human being.
Most importantly, the plagues form the backdrop for the liberation of the Israelites so that they can sacrifice the paschal lamb, showing that it's not enough to end slavery; one must begin serving God in freedom. In this way, the plagues exchanged the Egyptian obsession with death for a life-enhancing focus on the God of freedom, redemption and hope.
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin is chancellor of Ohr Torah Stone, and chief rabbi of Efrat.