Divine Power in the Exodus

ביד חזקה ובזרוע נטוי'.

“With a strong hand and an outstretched arm.”

This describes the extraordinary force revealed during the Exodus.

וע"ז נאמר שבח מיוחד כי לעולם חסדו.

And regarding this it is said a special praise: “For His kindness endures forever.”

The praise reflects that this display of power expressed eternal kindness, not merely a momentary intervention.

והענין הוא שלבד ההצלה שהי' לשעה היו המכות בכח גדול יותר ממה שהי' נצרך אז.

And the idea is that besides the rescue needed at that moment, the plagues were with far greater force than was necessary then.

The miracles exceeded what the situation required, signaling a deeper divine intention.

וז"פ זרוע נטוי' כאדם שמראה גודל כחו שיירא לנפשו פן יכנו עוד.

And this explains “an outstretched arm,” like a person who displays great strength so that his foe will fear him lest he strike again.

The “outstretched arm” was a demonstration meant to deter further harm.

כן הראה הקב"ה זרוע הנטויה שיניחו מלהרע לבנ"י.

So too the Holy One showed the outstretched arm so they would cease harming the Children of Israel.

God’s display of power served as a protective warning to Israel’s oppressors.

[וכמדומה שכ"כ בגבורות ה']

[And it seems that this is also written in the Maharal’s *Gevurot Hashem*.]

The Sefat Emet notes support for this explanation in classical sources.

וזה היה רק בעבור דורות הבאים שיהי' גאולה זו הכנה לכל הדורות.

And this was only for the sake of future generations, so that this redemption would be a preparation for all generations.

The excessive power was meant to echo across history, shaping future redemptions.

לכן נאמר כי לעולם חסדו.

Therefore it is said, “For His kindness endures forever.”

The kindness lies in the enduring effect of the redemption, not only its immediate impact.

ולכן מצינו בכל המכות שלא סרו רק עפ"י תפלת משה רבינו ע"ה.

And therefore we find that none of the plagues ceased except through the prayer of Moses, peace be upon him.

The plagues contained lingering potential; only Moses’ prayer halted their active state.

והפי' שלא גמרו המכות פעולתן שעוד יש בהם על להבא רק בתפלת מרע"ה פסקו אז.

And the meaning is that the plagues did not complete their full effect, for they still held power for the future, and only through Moses’ prayer did they stop at that time.

Their force remained stored for later generations’ needs, paused through prayer but not extinguished.

כמ"ש בברד שהביאו הקב"ה אח"כ על סנחריב:

As it is written regarding the hail, which God later brought upon Sennacherib.

This demonstrates that elements of the plagues were preserved for future divine interventions.

Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that the overwhelming force of the Exodus plagues was intentional, serving not only Israel’s immediate salvation but also future generations. The “outstretched arm” was a deterrent, and the plagues’ power remained available for later redemptions, halted temporarily only through Moses’ prayer—hence the enduring praise, “For His kindness endures forever.”