The Third Step: Lice – Small Is Big

Could Not Replicate

After the first two plagues they were treated to a plague— the plague of lice—that proved impossible for them to replicate unlike the first two. They were forced to admit that this was the “finger of G-d.”

Having dispensed with the root of all evil—the belief and allegiance to false gods—the plague of lice followed.

Our Sages tell us that the reason that they could not replicate this plague specifically was because their powers did not extend to minute things. The powers of magic extend only to things that are no smaller than a “barleycorn.”

What is the reason that G-d’s superior abilities were demonstrated by the creation of something that is small? There are countless other things that only G-d could do. And if G-d so chose, He could have prevented the sorcerers from replicating any of the other plagues as well.

Nothing Trivial

There is a powerful lesson in this fact that only G-d commands the minuscule domains of existence that will answer the question why He chose to demonstrate this ability at this juncture.

The lesson is simple and straightforward. The plague of lice demonstrated that for the true G-d there is nothing trivial or unimportant.

For a finite being there is a difference between big and small. For G-d who is infinite, big is no more impressive than small and small can be as important as big if it is G- d’s will.

One of the greatest obstacles to growth is the obsession with major accomplishments and the desire to make great strides. We are so goal oriented that we have no patience to wait. Significant progress must be made in order for us to feel satisfied. If we fail to rise to the top quickly it will cause us disappointment and frustration.

In Judaism, however, the belief is that every little, incremental, action has cosmic value. We should never underestimate the small gestures. Every positive action has intrinsic value as well as its ripple effect that can literally change the entire world.

One Gesture Saved the World

The Rebbe so eloquently and passionately demonstrated this fact and proved it from the Biblical narrative concerning Joseph when he was “doing time” in prison. Joseph’s asked Pharaoh’s butler and baker—his fellow inmates—why they were depressed. This gesture of kindness and concern literally saved the entire world from starvation. When Joseph successfully interpreted their dreams, the butler—years later—informed Pharaoh about Joseph’s dream interpreting ability. Joseph then interpreted Pharaoh’s dream that portended seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. He then provided Pharaoh with the solution to the impending famine by recommending that he store food in the seven years of plenty.

Had Joseph not performed the simple act of kindness to his fellow prisoners, Pharaoh’s dream would have never been interpreted and the food would never have been stored in time for the famine that would have devastated the world.

This then is the message of the third plague. With one seemingly insignificant act we can change the world.

We can now appreciate how the third plague takes us to the next level in our recovery. After intellectually and emotionally destroying the icons and institutions that we feel dependent on and which drag us down, the next step is to make small steps forward.

The greatest obstacle for our emotional and spiritual development is the sense—as the Egyptian magicians believed—that there is no value in the small things.

Once we have eliminated the obstacle of viewing small things with disdain, one can really begin to grow and creep out of the Egyptian morass.

Another parallel between the third plague of lice and our emotional development can be seen in the fact that the plague of lice, albeit minuscule, covered the entire earth, so too, the small, seemingly unimportant aspects of life, actually cover all of the entire earth—they pervade virtually every aspect of our lives.

Upon reflection it becomes evident that most of our lives are filled with the small things. Only sporadically do we get involved in some major undertaking. That alone should prove that G-d cares about the details and perhaps even they represent the most significant part of our lives.

Parallels Third Commandment

This third plague parallels the third commandment of: “Do not bear G-d’s name in vain.” This commandment demands of us to show true respect for G-d. One can acknowledge the existence of one G-d and even have contempt for idolatry, but yet, it is still possible for the person to lack in his or her reverence for G-d.

Saying G-d’s name in vain is a sign that while we acknowledge His existence and even totally repudiate the existence of any other deity, our reverence for Him is lacking.

When one appreciates how G-d is concerned with minute details of life, it is a true sign of reverence. Dismissing G-d from everything but the most glamorous aspects of life is a true sign that G-d does not matter in most of what we do, akin to the person who mentions His name needlessly.

The Midrash states that the third plague of lice was a punishment for the Egyptians who forced the Jews to sweep dusty streets. Their dust now turned into lice.

The idea of sweeping away the dust is an expression of how dust has no real value and could be swept away. Their punishment was—measure for measure—the realization that trivial matters do count.

Divine Attribute: Hod

According to Kabbalah, the third plague corresponds to the Divine Attribute of hod-submission, acknowledgement or an expression of gratitude. When a person passes someone and doesn’t say “good morning” it is a sign that the other person does not count. Acknowledging another means that we don’t trivialize them.

This trait also involves our appreciation for everything that G-d does for us.

A person, who does not value the trivial matters in life, will never acknowledge the good that he received and will not be able to submit to another. Sweeping dusty streets was their way of devaluing the people. Devaluation is the opposite of hod.

Connection to Moshiach

Maimonides rules that we are to view all of the world as if it is on a scale with the good and evil evenly balanced. One good deed can tip the scales and bring salvation to the entire world. In other words—as the Rebbe has repeatedly told us—with but one small Mitzvah we can bring Moshiach and the final Redemption.

That one deed can do it is based on two considerations: First, good is cumulative. If we have critical mass we can break through the barrier of exile. It could be that one Mitzvah that will push us over the top. Second, each Mitzvah has infinite value and can change the world for the good.

Moreover, when we are in exile we cannot fathom the importance of every detail. Only in the days of Moshiach will the infinite value of every detail of Torah and Mitzvot be fully appreciated.

Therapy: For a person to alter their traits and grow they must be prepared to make small changes. They may never underestimate the value of every good thought, word and especially deed. G-d cares about the insignificant aspects of life. We count, and every action of ours and others counts.

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Voeira by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.