The hardening of Pharaoh's heart

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1. "I Shall Harden Pharaoh's Heart"

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   How can Pharaoh be punished if God hardened his heart? How can he be accused of his sin? How did God harden the hearts of Sihon and the Canaanite kings?

2. Two Groups of Plagues: The Difference Between Va'era and Bo

   Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

   The division of the plagues between Parshat Va'era and Parshat Bo is very significant, representing the different goals of each set of plagues.  In Parshat Va'era, the struggle between Moshe and Pharaoh relates to the recognition of God, and it is toward this objective that the plagues are directed.  In Parshat Bo, on the other hand, the goal of the plagues is to take Israel out of Egypt. By examining these two goals alongside the haftarot of the two parshiot, we can understand these distinctions in a much deeper way, and appreciate the destiny of Israel as a nation that it will not be utterly destroyed, but rather that it will survive as God's people.

3. "I Shall Harden Pharaoh's Heart" (Audio)

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan | 12 minutes

   What does it mean when God "hardens the heart" of a sinner in the Tanakh - as He did to Pharaoh in Egypt - and how can a person be held accountable for his sins in such a case?

4. The Confrontation of Moshe and Pharaoh

   Rabbi Ezra Bick

   Starting with this plague of locust, we find a noticeable stress on the comings and goings of Moshe, beyond merely as a necessary detail to explain where he is.  It seems as though the coming before Pharaoh, and the leaving his presence, is an independent focus of the story, without reference to what happens or is spoken during the encounter.

   The nature of the parasha break of Bo is clear - starting with this plague of locust, God is telling Moshe that the confrontation with Pharaoh is to be a personal one - he is to go to face Pharaoh directly and engage in a test of wills with him.  The verbal content of Moshe's speeches is now secondary in importance to the actual personal appearance that he must make. Moshe is to overcome Pharaoh on the personal level. Why is this necessary?

   God sends Moshe to battle Pharaoh so that Moshe should experience first-hand the clash of titans, the battle of God's word against the vainglory of human power, of emperors and tyrants.  This is qualitatively different than merely observing the battle from the side-lines, as the Egyptians and the Jews were doing.  God wants Moshe's personal involvement, and he switches Moshe's role from the representative of the Jewish people, speaking in God's name, to the representative of God Himself.

   This is the moment when Moshe becomes more than a leader.  This is when he begins to become "ish ha-elokim," who will bring the Torah down from the mountain.

5. The Stealthy Exodus

   Rabbi Meir Spiegelman

   Why did God tell Moshe to lie to Pharaoh? The very first time that God was revealed to Moshe, at the burning bush, He commanded him to tell Pharaoh that Bnei Yisrael wanted to undertake a three-day journey in the desert and to sacrifice to God. Throughout the negotiations, Moshe consistently asks Pharaoh to free them from Egypt only for three days; he makes no mention of the fact that Bnei Yisrael will never return. Additionally, why did God strike Pharaoh with ten plagues, when the same end-result could clearly have been achieved through a much smaller number? Through an examination of the parallel between Yaakov's flight from Lavan and Bnei Yisrael's exodus from Egypt, we can understand that God required Pharaoh to release Bnei Yisrael completely, out of his own free will rather than out of coercion. Thus God ensured that no one would ever be able to claim that Bnei Yisrael were still his slaves, and Bnei Yisrael would be free to worship their only true master- God. 

6. A Quick Look at Parshat Bo - The Hardened Heart

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 9 minutes

   We  begin with a comment by the Sefat Emet on the beginning of the Parsha about the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. What message to the Jewish People is conveyed by God saying that Pharaoh's resistance comes from God making it difficult?

   The Sefat Emet points out that difficulties like this one crop up all the time. But with true desire and effort, we can overcome.  

7. Erev Shabbat Bo - Pharaoh's Thoughts on Freeing Bnei Yisrael

   Rabbi Moshe Morris | 15 minutes

   When Pharaoh contemplates releasing Bnei Yisrael, he asks who will go. When Moshe responds that all will go to serve God for their festival, Pharaoh responds that the end result will be evil. Is this some hint of understanding  Bnei Yisrael's unique relationship with God? We consider what Pharoah was really saying about the nature of reality, and we consider different aspects of God's name. We look for a precedent for Bnei Yisrael's success by looking at blood in the Torah.
   
   
   
    

8. Ramban on Vaera: The Hardening of Pharoah's Heart

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 27 minutes

   In Parashat Vaera, God informs Moshe that it is not going to be an easy process before Pharaoh lets Bnei Yisrael out. But then God adds “And I will harden his heart.” Why? Is God taking away Pharaoh’s free will? One opinion is that God is closing the doors to teshuva as a punishment for the evil Pharaoh did to Bnei Yisrael. Ramban explains that God is hardening Pharaoh’s heart to allow him to withstand the plagues – which serve as important political and theological signs from God. God is not taking away his free will. On the contrary, acting properly out of fear or pain is not enough. God hardens Pharaoh’s heart to allow Pharaoh to make his own choices – perhaps paving the way for him to truly repent if he so desires.

9. Did God Take Away Pharaoh's Free Will?

   Rabbi David Fohrman |

   According to the simple meaning of the text, it seems like God took away Pharaoh's free will - how could He do such a thing? In this video, we explores the different words used by the Torah, kaved and chazek; Rabbi Fohrman argues that the precise language shows that God allows Pharaoh to pursue his vision, even if the vision is a defiance of God.

    

    

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10. Parshat Vaera Part 5: The Plagues of Frogs, Lice and the Mixed Multitude

    Dr. Yael Ziegler | 37 minutes

    These verses discuss the plagues of frogs, lice and mixed multitude. What exactly were these plagues and what were their effects on Egypt and Pharaoh? This podcast closely examines the text and classical commentaries to provide answers to these questions. 

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

11. Parshat Vaera Part 6: The Plagues of Pestilence, Boils and Hail

    Dr. Yael Ziegler | 39 minutes

    This podcast deals with the plagues of pestilence, boils and hail, detailing how each serves its own purpose within the structure of the plagues narrative. 

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com