Vaera 5775 - English

By Rabbi Daniel Kripper
Beth Israel Aruba

Our parashah, which narrates the vicissitudes met by the children of Israel in Egypt in their struggle to escape slavery, poses the classical question of being free or not being free.  Who decides if we are or are not going to execute a certain action?  Is it only our choice or is there an external factor influencing our decision? 

It is well known that the gift of free will exercised correctly by each person is a cardinal principle of the Jewish faith.  However, in this portion of the Torah, we might question that very principle through the tale of the “hardening of Pharaoh’s heart”. 

Let us take a look at the specific verse: “But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that I may multiply my signs and marvels in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 7:3)

Was it in Pharaoh’s power to decide whether or not the Hebrew slaves could be released?  If not, why was he so severely punished for refusing their liberation?  Was this not a case of injustice towards the Pharaoh?

A possible answer to this crucial question comes from the great Rambam, who claims that the human being is thoroughly capable of choosing the road he wishes to carry out.  This applies even in Pharaoh’s case, since according to the same biblical text, he hardened his heart in response to the first five plagues; thus, he lost the ability to choose only for the remainder of them.  

This theory is supported by the teachings of a wise Talmud man, Resh Lakish, in his commentary on the proverb: “Towards the arrogant, He is arrogant, but to the humble He gives favor.” (Proverbs 3:34)  Resh Lakish states: “If one comes to defile himself, he is given an opening; if one comes to cleanse himself, he is helped.” (Shabbat 104a) 

In a way, life could be compared to a slippery pyramid, with us at the top, having been granted the potential to choose between possible roads.  Whichever one we pick, once we begin to move, it turns easier and easier to stay on that path, and harder every moment to turn around.  This was exactly what happened to the Pharaoh in Egypt, who did not realize he was standing on the wrong side of history, and therefore, was unable to react on time and avoid the grave consequences of his arrogance and vanity.  

Pharaoh’s response becomes a metaphor on how our free will can vanish, when our heart grows insensible with a hard shell, and consequently, our human condition degrades to a point of no return.

Rabbi Daniel Kripper

Beth Israel Aruba