Ahmad al-Gamal, an Egyptian columnist for Egyptian daily Al-Yawm Al-Sabi, advocated in the newspaper on March 11 that Egypt sue the State of Israel for damages caused by the 10 Biblical plagues. (From an article in the Times of Israel, http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-pay-up-for-10-plagues/#ixzz2xZ2QZb2D.)
Good question.
The topic, along with Is Moses guilty of murder? for killing the Egyptian taskmaster and Did the Egyptians give us gifts out of friendship or out of fear? seem like excellent subjects for Jewish tweenagers and teenagers, especially if they are studying talmudic logic.
Al-Gamal, although I suspect he was writing with tongue in cheek, makes some interesting points in the Times of Israel article; points than deserve consideration.
It's a bit late for Pesach 5774 (2014), but it seems it might be worth consideration for pre-Pesach 5775 (2015) studies.
Teachers might take a group of youngsters and tell them they are the plaintiffs' attorneys - they would represent the Egyptians demanding compensation for all the woes Al-Gamal claims we inflicted upon them. Another group of youngsters could be the defense team, our lawyers. Still others could serve as a jury, and a well-respected and learned adult would act as judge (to assure the arguments were proper).
There might even need to be a team to defend Pharaoh against charges that it was his, not the Egyptian people's, fault that HaShem sent the plagues. ("Hey, I wanted to let the Jews go, but HaShem hardened my heart; what could I do?" This, of course, opens a discussion on "free will.")
We say, immediately after the four questions that עבדים היינו לפרעה במצרים - "we" were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt.
That statement makes two points.
1. We are to consider that we, along with our ancestors, were slaves in Egypt.
2. That we were slaves to Pharaoh, which plays into the plaintiffs' lawyers' hands as to assigning "fault."
The first point adds some personal involvement - part of the seder's purpose.
How would the children and young adults present the case for the Egyptians, the Pharaoh, and us; how would a peer jury rule?
Educators can "adjust" the trial to the youngsters' ages and abilities. Perhaps locaal lawyers can be enticed to advise and mentor the young lawyers.
Just to add interest, what about the descendents of the Egyptians who left with us? How are they to be treated? Do we sue them for sharing the man(na) and for the protection of the fire by night and cloud by day. Who would sue them for those things, anyway? HaShem?
What about Aaron and his staff/snake - is there any remedy the Egyptian magicians can seek because Aaron's snake devoured their snakes?
Pesach should be more than cleaning and a quick read of the hagadah. It is supposed to be an educational experience.
I wish that as a youngster someone had asked the question: Do we owe the Egyptians compensation? I think it's a great question.
Caveat: I am not a teacher (my spouse is) and I don't play one on tv. (Teaching truly is an art; I never learned to stay within the lines.)
