Frogs Falling from the Sky: The Science Behind a Biblical Phenomenon

The plague of frogs stirs our imagination, vividly depicted in various Passover Haggadahs with captivating art (or frightening, depending on your view).

Interestingly, Rabbi Saadia Gaon interpreted the word 'frog' as referring to a crocodile, which would certainly escalate the fear factor of this plague. Crocodiles are deadly and terrifying creatures, leaving little to the imagination in such a scenario...

Throughout history, reports of 'raining frogs' have appeared, from ancient texts to more modern times. In contemporary history, even with modern documentation like photography and filming, reports have continued of animal rain, usually involving fish or frogs falling alive and subsequently functioning normally after the traumatic event subsides.

In 2011, the town of Cabo Polonio in Uruguay experienced frog rain twice. In 2009, Ofri Ilan reported in Haaretz about frog rain in Japan: "The Japanese press expressed concern over this unusual meteorological phenomenon, which scientists struggle to explain... What could explain frog rain reminiscent of the Biblical plagues? Previously, such phenomena were attributed to tornadoes carrying creatures from nearby water bodies. However, no tornadoes were recorded where the tadpoles appeared, and in most cases, it didn't even rain...

"Another more plausible theory is that the tadpoles were dropped by birds. All locations where these creatures were found are near rice fields inhabited by frogs. 'Herons or gulls might have carried these tadpoles in their beaks or claws, dropping them due to a distraction during flight,' said Kimimasa Tokikuni, head of the bird protection center in Ishikawa Prefecture. Still, the questions persist. Why did so many birds deviate from their habits that week, act carelessly, and drop the very creatures they feed on?...

"Some speculate that the explanation is linked to the world's climate and ecological changes. In an era where bees refuse to return to their hives and fish change gender, frogs falling like rain could also be possible. Paul Thomas Anderson's film 'Magnolia' depicts a similar occurrence experienced by the Japanese residents recently, as plump frogs fall from the sky for no apparent reason."

Indeed, there is no clear explanation for this phenomenon, which hasn’t stopped researchers from suggesting it resembles the Biblical plagues of Egypt.

Blood exists in the world, as do frogs, lice, and so forth. The uniqueness of the plagues of Egypt wasn't in some unexplained natural phenomenon but rather in Hashem's control over the plague, following Moses' warning and ending after negotiations with Pharaoh. The plagues targeted the Egyptians with the purpose of liberating the Israelites from Egypt. No natural phenomenon has ever freed a nation of slaves.