And marvels - this refers to the blood: There were many signs that resulted from the plague of blood. First, even if an Egyptian and an Israelite drank from the same cup, one received blood and the other water.¹⁹⁴ Second, the first plague enriched the Israelites, since the Egyptians tried buying water from the Israelites. Also, the plague of blood was the beginning of all the plagues. The Nile which was filled with blood also became like a boiling cauldron; that is why we say, “Water and fire and pillars of smoke.”¹⁹⁵ During the final plague, when the firstborn became ill, smoke rose from their mouths as their blood was being shed. When the Israelites arrived at the sea, they followed a pillar of fire and smoke which protected them. That is why the Torah says moftim, “signs,” in the plural. The plague of blood was both the beginning and the end of all the other plagues. Concerning the final plague we read: “Pharaoh will not heed you that My marvels (moftim) may be multiplied in Egypt.”¹⁹⁶ “Signs and marvels” are plural, unlike the first terms in this verse because they refer to numerous acts that took place in Egypt. These are all signs and wonders that took place not only in the past but will take place again in the future at the time of redemption. A sign is something that has a delayed affect while a marvel has an immediate effect. Concerning the signs, the Torah says, “Tomorrow this sign shall come to pass,”¹⁹⁷ while regarding the marvels the Pharaoh says, “Produce your marvel”¹⁹⁸ and Moses does so immediately. The ten plagues were signs since they were inscribed on the staff ahead of time, while the blood was considered a marvel since Moses carried it out immediately – it was the first of the plagues.

footnotes: ¹⁹⁴ Tanhumah Vaera, 13 ¹⁹⁵ Joel 3:3 ¹⁹⁶ Exodus 11:9 ¹⁹⁷ Exodus 8:19 ¹⁹⁸ Exodus 7:9