Vaeira 7:22 · EXTRA 1 — the chartumim did so EXTRA

Parashas Vaeira · Side page (no TT primary unit)

The Complete Passuk

וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵ֛ן חַרְטֻמֵּ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם בְּלָטֵיהֶ֑ם וַיֶּחֱזַ֤ק לֵב־פַּרְעֹה֙ וְלֹא־שָׁמַ֣ע אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃

But when the Egyptian magicians did the same with their spells, Pharaoh’s heart stiffened and he did not heed them—as GOD had spoken.

Shemos Rabbah 7:6 — EXTRA.

Core Text

ויעשו כן —\ldots הוסיפו על המכה.

English: “And they did so” — \ldots they added to the plague.

On the midrash / in context: By producing more blood they only increased Egypt’s suffering; they could not reverse the plague.

Custom

Chazal note that the magicians’ imitation only worsened the plague.