שמות, פרק י׳, פסוק י״ג

The arrival of the locusts in Egypt unfolds as a precise sequence blending human action, divine providence, and the forces of nature. When Moses extends his staff to initiate the plague, he acts out of deep humility and respect for God. Although he could have brought about the miracle with his bare hand, he chooses to use the staff engraved with the explicit name of God, deferring the honor entirely to Him [שפתי כהן, אלשיך].

Following this gesture, God summons the locusts using an east wind. The primary approach among commentators identifies this as a wind blowing from the east, a direction traditionally associated with the front and the beginning, as it is where the sun rises, while the west is considered the back [אבן עזרא, חזקוני, תולדות יצחק]. Because Egypt is located to the southwest, this eastern wind blew directly toward it [רש״י]. Several reasons are offered for the use of this specific wind. One perspective explains that the east wind is intensely hot, creating the ideal climate for locusts to multiply and spread [הטור הארוך, פענח רזא]. Another view notes that locusts are not native to Egypt, requiring a powerful wind to carry them from distant lands like Arabia or Babylon [ביאור יש״ר, מלבי״ם, שד״ל]. Alternatively, because the natural habitat of the locust is actually to the south, some suggest that the term for this wind does not necessarily specify an eastern direction. Instead, it might serve as a general term for a fierce, powerful wind from any direction [קאסוטו], or specifically a southeastern wind [שד״ל]. Beyond the physical explanations, this wind holds a profound spiritual significance. It is historically prepared and designated by God and His heavenly court as an instrument of retribution to punish the wicked [רבנו בחיי].

The wind blows continuously for an entire day and night. This extended duration is necessary to transport the locusts from far away [קאסוטו], allowing the wind to sweep across vast regions and gather swarms from every location [רש״ר הירש]. There is an insightful discussion regarding how this wind was directed. One approach suggests that God forced the wind to blow contrary to the natural weather patterns of that day [מלבי״ם]. Conversely, another perspective argues that God guided the wind gently, mimicking the natural behavior of the world rather than conjuring a sudden storm. This demonstrates His ability to strike Egypt through phenomena that appear completely natural [העמק דבר]. The wind continues to blow throughout the night, waiting until the following day, which God had designated for the plague to actually begin [אלשיך].

The devastation finally descends in the morning, a time historically designated for both executing justice upon the wicked and bringing salvation to the righteous [רבנו בחיי]. While the wind is responsible for carrying the swarms, the locusts themselves land and settle exactly within the borders of Egypt. This remarkable geographic precision serves as clear proof that this is not a blind, chaotic storm of nature, but a highly supervised and intentionally directed divine operation [אבן עזרא, אלשיך].