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Why was Makkas Choshech the only plague where Moshe used no staff? The Midrash asks where the darkness came from—either from the Sisra (primordial darkness before creation) or from Gehenom. This shiur argues the darkness was beyond human domain, requiring Hashem (ה׳)'s direct intervention. Correspondingly, the Jews experienced not just absence of darkness but the Or HaGanuz—primordial light—for three full days and nights, a profound revelation of Hashem's presence distinct from all other plagues.
Rabbi Zweig opens with a Midrash Rabbah on Parshas Bo (14:2, page 25) that questions the source of the darkness during Makkas Choshech. The Midrash cites two opinions: Reb Yehuda says it came from the darkness above (Sisra), while Reb Nechemiah says it came from the darkness of Gehenom. Rabbi Zweig asks what precipitates this question—what in the pasuk compels Chazal to investigate the origin of this darkness? The answer emerges from a careful textual analysis. In every other plague where Moshe stretched out his hand, either Hashem (ה׳) explicitly commanded him to take his staff (mateh), or the Torah (תורה) records that Moshe took his staff on his own initiative. Rabbi Zweig systematically reviews the plagues: by Dam, Tzefardeia, and Kinim, the staff is explicitly mentioned. By Barad and Arbeh, when Hashem says "stretch out your hand," Moshe takes his staff. By Shechin, Moshe throws ashes upward. But by Makkas Choshech, Hashem commands "stretch out your hand toward heaven" with no mention of a staff—and none is recorded.
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Shemos 10:21-23 (Parshas Bo - Makkas Choshech)
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