Ten Miracles Were Performed For Our Forefathers In Egypt, And Ten At The Sea. The Holy One, Blessed Be He, Brought Ten Plagues Upon The Egyptians In Egypt And Ten At The Sea. Our Forefathers Subjected The Holy One, Blessed Be He, To Ten Trials In The Desert, As It Is Stated: "By Now They Have Tested Me Ten Times, And Did Not Heed My Voice."[14]

Ten Miracles Were Performed For Our Forefathers

Pirkei Avos is intended to teach us pious conduct - how to serve G-d beyond the measure of the law. What lesson in pious conduct can we learn from these points of history?

This question can be answered as follows: The fact that G-d wrought miracles for the Jews in Egypt made the people aware of their true identity. Although they were still in exile, the miracles made them conscious that they were G-d's servants, rather than slaves of the Egyptians.

This is also true today. Although we are still in exile, we are G-d's servants, and subject to no other authority. Our commitment to Him need not be limited in any way. On the contrary, just as miracles represent a departure from nature, our commitment can rise above ordinary mortal constraints.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Nitzavim, 5738)

Ten Miracles... Ten Trials

Miracles make a powerful impression on a person, for they reveal to him a reality above his own. Nevertheless, the impression is not internalized. This allows for the possibility - as reflected by the ten trials to which the Jews subjected G-d in the desert - of forgetfulness and descent. Nevertheless, this fall is merely a phase in the "journey through the desert" - the march of our people (and of mankind) to Eretz Yisrael and Redemption.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Re'eh, 5736)

Ten Trials

The mishnah uses the expression "trials," rather than "sins" or "transgressions." The Jews' conduct in the desert tried G-d's power. But He proved Himself, and removed all their doubts, elevating the newborn nation to a higher level of faith. This is also indicated by the word "trial," for the Hebrew original, , also connotes "elevation."[15]

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Chukas, 5743)

   

Notes:

14. (Back to text) Bamidbar 14:22.

15. (Back to text) Sefer HaMaamarim 5689, p. 203ff.