Reading the parashah (the weekly Torah portion) and connecting lessons from the parashah to contemporary experiences have long been hallmarks of traditional Jewish practice. Following the assault on Am Yisrael of October 7, 2023, rabbis, educators, and lay leaders alike began weaving together the unprecedented trauma and the eternal strength of Torah. 'Plagues and Promises' is the second Post October 7 volume of Torah commentary, following the publication of 'A Difficult Beginning' on Genesis. These collections demonstrate the commitment to testimony and a vibrant spiritual response to a deeply difficult time in Jewish history.