Translator's Summary: According to Chida, Moses’ staff was engraved with an abbreviation of the plagues as well as the names of the patriarchs and all six matriarchs (including Zilpah and Bilhah according to the Midrash. It also had the unpronounceable name of God. Chida explains that it was a sign not just for the Egyptians but for Moses and the people of Israel. "And with signs: this refers to the staff…” The sages in Yalkut Shemot explain that the staff was engraved with a mnemonic of the ten plagues: detzakh, adash, ba’achav. Targum Yonatan,¹⁸⁰ Parashat B'Shalach states that the names of the patriarchs were also engraved on it as well as the six matriarchs and the twelve tribes. The Yalkut and the Targum also mention that the four letter name of God was engraved on the staff.¹⁸¹ on Exodus 14:21: And Mosheh stretched out his hand over the sea, with the great and glorious rod which was created at the beginning, and on which were engraven and set forth the Great and Glorious Name, and the ten signs which had smitten Egypt, and the three fathers of the world, and the six mothers, and the twelve tribes of Jacob…. ((Sefaria Translation) It is stated in Hagahot Maimoniot, in the laws of chametz that detzakh, adash, baachav have the numerical value of 501, like the word asher in the verse, “The diseases which (asher) I brought upon the Egyptian.” (Ex. 14:21) This explains why the Maggid explains “With signs,” as referring to the staff, for it was engraved with the plagues. It represented the entirety of all the plagues. The Maggid states, “As it says, “And this staff you shall take in your hand which (asher).” This word alludes to the ten plagues with the numerical value of Detzach, A'dash, Ba’achav. How good and appropriate to hint at the plagues with this word. It is a reference to the mother of children¹⁸² of Binah, which is also associated with the number fifty. Since the numerical value of the ten plagues in Gematria is 501 - it is 10 x 50 plus one. who gives freedom for all. There is redemption from the side of the Jubilee.¹⁸³ of Binah. That is why the word asher is mentioned in connection with the Exodus fifty times in the Torah as the Zohar states.¹⁸⁴ or the word asher are mentioned fifty times. The word asher appears fifty times through the beginning of chapter 12 of Exodus. That is why d'tzach, a’dash, ba’achav were engraved on the staff. This was to allude to the fact that their numerical value is asher, as in, “I am Adonai, your God, who (asher) took you out.” My signs which (asher) I placed upon them,” and many more. This is what Rabbi Yehudah had in mind when he gave the abbreviation, d'tzach, a’dash, ba’achav to hint at all that was said. This was their way; to hide the secrets of Torah in complete secrecy. As a result the early commentators already wrote that the plagues were engraved on staff.

footnotes: ¹⁸⁰ An Aramaic translation of the Torah ¹⁸¹ See Targum Yonatan ¹⁸² The mother of children is a reference to the Sephira ¹⁸³ Jubilee is also associated with the Sephirah ¹⁸⁴ I am not certain if the reference here is that Yetziat Mitrayim

It is possible to expand this based on what the sages said in Pesikta: mofet (wonder) refers to something immediate and, ot (sign) refers to something that will happen after some time.¹⁸⁵, Exodus 3:12 Midrash Lekach Tov is a commentary on the Torah and Megillot incorporating literal explanations and elaborative stories, written in the late 11th and early 12th centuries. The title alludes to the author's name, Toviah, in addition to his practice of introducing each portion in the Torah commentary with a short exposition on a verse containing the word 'Tov.' It is also referred to as Pesikta Zutarta. (Sefaria) It is fitting, then, that it stated, “And the signs” referring to the staff since the plagues that were to occur in the future were engraved upon it. Our teacher, Isaac Abarbanel explains that the expression, “And the signs,” alludes to the plagues that were to be done with the staff. **Otto: **signs The plagues that used the staff refers to D’etzach, as well as hail and locust - five plagues. Yad Hazakah: A mighty hand refers to pestilence. **Zeroah Netuyah ****An outstretched arm/the sword is the death of the first born. This makes seven plagues. Moftim, wonders: refers to the blood and the remaining three plagues: wild animals, boils and darkness.¹⁸⁶ quotes Abarbanel to show how the terms in Deuteronomy 26:8 actually includes all the plagues. See Abarbanel ad locum. It would appear that blood appears twice in his counting... The wild animals are related to blood since the animals tore people apart and pouring their blood on the earth. Boils involve the decay of blood. And darkness is when the light of day becomes shrouded and reddened so that it is as dark as blood. “Blood and fire and pillar of smoke:” blood is pestilence; boils are like fire, and the pillar of smoke is darkness, as was written, the sun turned to darkness and the moon to blood. (Joel 3:4) These are the ten plagues!

footnotes: ¹⁸⁵ Also called Midrash Lekach Tov ¹⁸⁶ Chida

Another interpretation of the verse, “And take with you this rod, with which you shall perform the signs.” (Ex 4:17) The rod is an allusion to rely on the merit of the matriarchs and patriarchs, and the tribes. It was through their merit that God performed signs even though Israel was not worthy. This is the meaning of the verse, “And this rod” upon which is engraved the patriarchs, matriarchs, and tribes as well as the four letter name of God through which you shall perform these signs. The abbreviation of hazeh tikach biyadekha (“This, you shall take in your hand,”) has the same numerical value as avot, forefathers, plus the words.¹⁸⁷ has the numerical value of 409. The first letters of the words הזה תקח בידך is 407 - with the addition of the words they both come out to 410.

footnotes: ¹⁸⁷ The word avot