תהלים, פרק ע״ח, פסוק מ״ח

The plagues that struck Egypt went far beyond simple natural disasters, acting as coordinated assaults on the nation's wealth and resources. During the plague of hail, the devastation extended past agricultural ruin to become a deadly, dual attack of ice and fire that consumed the Egyptians' property and livestock. God deliberately surrendered the flocks and herds to the destructive force of the plague [מאירי, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This devastation targeted not only the animals themselves but encompassed the broader possessions and wealth of the entire nation [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם].

The primary approach among commentators is that this destruction involved literal sparks of fire, flames, or lightning. Drawing from the historical account where fire flashed continuously within the falling ice, the explanation is that the hail struck down a portion of the livestock, while intense flames burned whatever remained. However, a unique Midrashic perspective offers a different understanding, suggesting the secondary destruction involved birds of prey. According to this view, the heavy hail created a physical barrier, preventing the Egyptians from bringing their animals safely indoors. In desperation, an Egyptian would slaughter his animal outside and carry the meat on his shoulder to bring it into his home. Yet, before he could reach safety, birds from the sky would swoop down and snatch the meat directly from his hands [רש״י].

The execution of this plague reveals contrasting aspects of how God operated against Egypt. On one hand, there was a measure of restraint; God explicitly warned the Egyptians to gather their livestock indoors to shield them from the ice and fire, rather than wiping them out instantly without any notice [אלשיך]. On the other hand, the sheer intensity of the devastation raises a question about why the animals were struck with hail when the plague of pestilence was already destined to destroy them anyway. This overlapping destruction serves to highlight the overwhelming force of God's wrath, demonstrating how He struck the Egyptian livestock through multiple, relentless avenues without mercy [מלבי״ם].