**Dam - Blood:**All the water in Egypt turned to blood; not just the river but the water in the wells, the water in the pitchers, and even the water in the mouths of the Egyptians. This is how the Israelites became rich. If an Israelite had a pitcher full of water he could drink from it. The Egyptian asked for some water but as soon as the Israelite poured the water into his hands it turned to blood. The same occurred if they drank from the same utensil. Only when the Egyptian bought the water from the Israelite did it remain water.²¹⁵ Why was the first plague blood? The Egyptians kept the Israelite women from immersing themselves in a Mikveh so that they could not engage in relations with their husbands and thus become pregnant. In retribution, the Egyptians source of water turned to blood.²¹⁶

footnotes: ²¹⁵ Exodus Rabbah 9:10 ²¹⁶ Exodus Rabbah, Ibid.