In 1997, Bernard Raskas argued for a metaphorical update of the ten plagues. While imagery of the plagues in the 20th century makes for an inexact parallel– for one thing, none target the ancient Egyptians — here are the ten plagues as referenced in the 20th century:
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1. Blood
- 1932 – Following the shooting of six young Jews in Soroca, witness testifies that he could see blood through the ice.
- 1949 – "The Gestapo shot into the struggling mass of people. The blood of those hit spurted in all directions and colored the river blood-red," said a British prosecutor in a war crimes tribunal.
2. Frogs
- 1971 – It’s a stretch, but a Soviet weapon gifted to Egypt was called the Frog missile.
3. Lice
- 1939 – At Zbonszyn on the German-Polish border… "There are a very great number suffering from mental shock. Sanitary conditions are horrible, owing to the pest of lice."
4. Wild Animals
- 1991 – Boar trips Israeli artillery hit on Lebanon.
5. Pestilence
- 1926 – Cattle plague in Palestine is under control
6. Boils
- 1941 – Young Jewish settlers on the shores of Jordan] are pestered by sand-flies, producing the uncomfortable "Jericho boils" on the flesh.
7. Hail
- 1931 – Hail storm wrecks only Bulgarian chalutz colony.
- 1992 – Worst storm to hit Israel yet causes death and destruction.
- 1997 – Hail, flooding kill five in Israel as storms rage during Sukkot.
8. Locusts
- 1928 – Fear locust in Palestine prepare to fight plague.
- 1930 – War waged against Locust swarms in Palestine.
9. Darkness
- 1973 – "By nightfall Sunday, all Israel is under effective blackout. Tel Aviv and other cities are pitch black and car headlights are ordered painted blue."
10. Death of First Born
- 1970 – Kiryat Shemona shelled for second time in three days; youth killed, two brothers injured.
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