08 Apr PESACH: REWARD FOR A KIDDUSH HASHEM

In the Haggadah, we
emphasize the point
that the plague of the
firstborn was wrought
by G-d Himself, and not
by an angel or other agent. We cite the verse
in Sefer Shemot (12:12), “Ve’abarti Be’retz
Misrayim Ba’layla Ha’zeh” (“I shall pass
through the land of Egypt on this night”)
and explain that G-d Himself passed through
Egypt to kill the firstborn, rather than sending
a “Malach,” “Saraf” or “Shali’ach” – various
forms of messengers.
The question arises, what is the significance
of this point? Why is it important to note
that G-d killed the firstborn directly, without
sending an agent to perform this task?
Rav Levi Yishak of Berditchev (1740-
1809) explained that G-d killed the firstborn
directly as a sort of “reward.” Even when
somebody deserves punishment for his
wrongdoing, there is a certain element of
honor in having G-d come to him directly to
bring this punishment upon him, rather than
G-d sending an agent. And thus although
the firstborn certainly deserved to be killed,
nevertheless, as wicked as they were, they
were also deserving of some small amount of
reward, and this reward came in the form of
G-d’s coming to them directly to deliver the
punishment.

Why were the firstborn deserving of reward?
Rav Levi Yishak noted the Midrash (cited in
Tosafot, Shabbat 87b) which tells that after
Moshe warned Egypt about the impending
plague, the firstborns approached their
parents and Pharaoh to demand the release
of Beneh Yisrael. Fearing for their lives,
and realizing the Moshe had never yet been
wrong when he predicted calamity, the
firstborns insisted that Pharaoh heed Moshe’s
demand and allow Beneh Yisrael to leave.
When Pharaoh refused, the firstborns took up
arms and launched a civil war, which resulted
in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of
Egyptians.
What is perhaps most significant about this
event is the fact that the firstborns were the
priests of Egypt. The Egyptians worshipped
the constellation of Aries, which is the first
of all the other constellations. As Aries was
the “firstborn,” so-to-speak, the firstborn
Egyptians were appointed as the priests. It
was thus remarkable that specifically this
group rose up against Pharaoh. Specifically,
the religious figures were the ones who
believed in Moshe and demanded that his
word should be obeyed. This civil war, then,
marked a very significant Kiddush Hashem,
in that the pagan priests of Egypt demanded
the kingdom’s surrender to Moshe and to the

G-d of Israel.
Of course, this did not qualify as complete
Teshuva. The firstborn acted to protect
themselves, and they did not take the
appropriate step of outright renouncing their
religious beliefs. Nevertheless, they were
the conduits of a significant and meaningful
Kiddush Hashem, and G-d rewards even
the wickedest sinners for the good that they
do. He therefore rewarded the firstborns by
punishing them directly, and not through an
agent.
Two lessons emerge from Rav Levi Yishak’s
insight. Firstly, we are reminded of just
how precious each and every Misva is, and
how no good deed goes unrewarded. Even
though we make mistakes and occasionally
fail, every good deed we perform and every
bit of goodness that we spread is inestimably
precious, and will be rewarded in full.
Secondly, we are taught of the great value of
being conduits of Kiddush Hashem. Being
aware of this precept can help us endure even
the most difficult and harshest crises. When
a righteous person faces adversity, he sees
it as an opportunity for Kiddush Hashem. If
he responds calmly, and loudly affirms G-d’s
justice despite the hardship he endures, he
inspires people and brings glory to G-d. If

even the pagan priests of Egypt were rewarded
for the Kiddush Hashem they created, then
certainly we can all earn reward for creating
our own Kiddush Hashem by accepting
hardship and recognizing G-d’s kindness in
our lives even when it is not apparent. Once
we realize the unparalleled importance of
Kiddush Hashem, of bringing honor and
glory to the Almighty, we will respond to all
situations in life with composure and faith,
seizing the opportunity to create a Kiddush
Hashem.