VBM Detzakh, Adash, Be’achav By Harav Yaakov Medan

With a strong hand” — [this indicates] two [plagues]; “and with an outstretched arm” — two; “and with great terror” — two; “and with signs” — two; “and with wonders” — two. These are the ten plagues that the Holy One, blessed be He, brought upon the Egyptians in Egypt. Rabbi Yehuda created a mnemonic for them: “Detzakh, Adash, Be’achav.” (Midrash Tanna’im, Devarim 26:8) What is the meaning of Rabbi Yehuda’s mnemonic, beyond the fact that it is an acronym, comprising the first letter of each of the plagues?[1] A number of commentators indicate that we should set aside the final letter, representing the Plague of the Firstborn, and focus on the three sets of three this leaves us: Detzakh, Adash, Be’ach.