Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Hashem harden Pharaoh's heart?
A: According to Rashi and other commentators, Hashem hardened Pharaoh's heart after the first five plagues as a punishment for his stubbornness and cruelty. This was to demonstrate Hashem's complete control over human free will when necessary and to bring about all ten plagues, ultimately showing His supreme power to both Egypt and Israel.
Q: Does hardening Pharaoh's heart mean he had no free will?
A: The Rambam (Maimonides) explains in Hilchot Teshuvah that Pharaoh initially had free will to let the Israelites go, but after repeatedly choosing evil, Hashem removed his ability to repent as a form of divine punishment. This teaches that consistent bad choices can limit a person's spiritual opportunities.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's hardened heart?
A: The Midrash teaches that Pharaoh's hardened heart serves as a warning about the dangers of stubbornness and refusing to change. When a person continuously ignores moral messages and opportunities to improve, they risk becoming spiritually 'hardened.' This teaches the importance of being open to growth and change.
Q: How does this verse show Hashem's justice?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) explains that Hashem gave Pharaoh multiple chances to repent during the first five plagues. Only after Pharaoh consistently chose evil did Hashem harden his heart. This demonstrates divine justice - punishment only comes after fair warning and multiple opportunities to change.
Q: Why is this hardening mentioned specifically in the later plagues?
A: Rashi notes that in the first five plagues (Exodus 7-9), Pharaoh hardened his own heart. Only from the sixth plague onward does the Torah say Hashem hardened it. This shows that when people persistently refuse to change, they may lose the ability to do so, emphasizing the importance of responding to moral warnings when we receive them.
The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart
The verse states: "But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go" (Shemot 9:12). This concept appears multiple times in the Exodus narrative, raising theological and ethical questions about free will and divine intervention.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Shemot 7:3) explains that Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart after Pharaoh had already repeatedly chosen evil of his own free will during the first five plagues. By the sixth plague, Pharaoh had so entrenched himself in wickedness that Hashem removed his ability to repent, ensuring he would face the full consequences of his actions. This aligns with the principle of "measure for measure" (middah k'neged middah)—since Pharaoh hardened his own heart initially, Hashem allowed that hardness to remain.
Rambam's Perspective
In Hilchot Teshuvah (6:3), the Rambam (Maimonides) addresses the philosophical dilemma, stating that while Pharaoh sinned grievously of his own volition, Hashem withheld the opportunity for repentance as a punishment. This does not negate free will in general but serves as a unique divine decree for Pharaoh due to his extreme cruelty.
Midrashic Insights
Moral and Theological Implications
The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart underscores the severity of willful evil and the eventual removal of divine mercy for those who persistently reject righteousness. It also highlights that Hashem’s justice operates on both individual and historical levels—Pharaoh’s obstinacy led to the complete fulfillment of the plagues, ensuring the redemption of Bnei Yisrael would be unmistakably miraculous.
Conclusion
Traditional Orthodox Jewish sources view this verse not as a denial of free will but as a unique divine response to Pharaoh’s own choices. The hardening served both as punishment and as a means to reveal Hashem’s sovereignty to the world.