שמות, פרק י״א, פסוק י׳

A profound shift occurs as the initial phase of the confrontation in Egypt comes to a close. Moses and Aaron have completed their direct appeals to the Egyptian ruler, and they will not appear before him again. This moment marks the transition between the first nine plagues and the decisive tenth plague that will fundamentally change the situation.

The primary approach among commentators is that the summary of the wonders performed refers to the nine plagues that have already taken place [רמב״ן, חזקוני, טור הארוך]. A summary of their actions is provided at this exact point because Moses and Aaron had no practical role in the impending tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, which was executed by God alone [רמב״ן, צרור המור]. Although Moses and Aaron did not physically initiate every single plague, such as the swarms and the pestilence, their overall mission is described in broad terms to encompass the entire series of events [רבנו בחיי, הכתב והקבלה]. Taking a different perspective, some suggest that the very warning Moses delivered to Pharaoh regarding the death of the firstborn was a wonder in itself, prompting the summary to appear immediately afterward [העמק דבר].

This pause in the narrative also serves to connect the end of the plagues with the events that follow. Aaron is specifically recognized for acting with speed and devotion alongside Moses. This dedication explains why he was immediately granted the honor of sharing in the first Commandment given to the Israelites, which was the instruction to sanctify the new month [רש״י, משכיל לדוד, ברכת אשר]. Chronologically, the actual execution of the final plague should have been recorded immediately [אבן עזרא, טור הארוך]. However, the story stops to introduce the commandments of the new month and the Passover offering. This interruption occurs because, despite witnessing all the miracles, the Israelites were still deeply immersed in the impurity of Egypt and lacked the necessary merits for redemption. God provided these specific commandments so that, through their observance, the people would become worthy of being saved [צרור המור].

Naturally and logically, the Egyptian ruler should have surrendered after witnessing such overwhelming forces. Instead, God miraculously intervened by repeatedly strengthening his heart [מלבי״ם, רשב״ם]. This divine intervention served multiple purposes: it fulfilled the promise God made at the very beginning of the mission [רבנו בחיי, חזקוני], and it allowed a deeply wicked individual to sink further into his own sin until his ultimate and complete destruction [העמק דבר]. The result of this hardened resolve was an absolute refusal to send the Israelites away. The depth of Pharaoh's extreme stubbornness is evident in his unwillingness to let the people leave his territory even for a brief, temporary journey of three days, much less granting them a complete release [אור החיים, העמק דבר].