Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted
Hebrew Text
וַיִּשְׁלַח פַּרְעֹה וְהִנֵּה לֹא־מֵת מִמִּקְנֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל עַד־אֶחָד וַיִּכְבַּד לֵב פַּרְעֹה וְלֹא שִׁלַּח אֶת־הָעָם׃
English Translation
And Par῾o sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of Yisra᾽el dead. And the heart of Par῾o was hard, and he did not let the people go.
Transliteration
Va'yishlach Par'oh ve'hineh lo-met mi'mikne Yisrael ad-echad va'yichbad lev Par'oh ve'lo shilach et-ha'am.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְהִנֵּ֗ה לֹא־מֵ֛ת מִמִּקְנֵ֥ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַד־אֶחָ֑ד וַיִּכְבַּד֙ לֵ֣ב פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְלֹ֥א שִׁלַּ֖ח אֶת־הָעָֽם׃ {פ}
🎵 Listen to leining
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Exodus 9:7) explains that Pharaoh sent messengers to verify whether the plague of dever (pestilence) had affected the livestock of the Israelites. When he discovered that not a single animal belonging to Bnei Yisrael had died, this should have served as clear proof of Hashem's divine providence over His people. However, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, demonstrating his stubborn refusal to acknowledge Hashem's sovereignty.
Ibn Ezra's Insight
Ibn Ezra notes that the phrase "וְהִנֵּה לֹא־מֵת" ("and behold, not one died") emphasizes the miraculous nature of the distinction between Egyptian and Israelite livestock. This selective plague underscored that the plagues were not natural disasters but targeted divine interventions meant to break Pharaoh's resistance.
Midrashic Interpretation
The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 11:4) elaborates that Pharaoh's investigation was not merely about the livestock but was a test of Moshe's credibility. When Pharaoh saw that Moshe's words were accurate—that only Egyptian animals perished—it should have compelled him to submit. Instead, his heart grew heavier ("וַיִּכְבַּד לֵב פַּרְעֹה"), illustrating the concept of hachbadah (increased hardening) as a punishment for his persistent defiance.
Rambam on Pharaoh's Hardened Heart
In Moreh Nevuchim (3:32), Rambam discusses the theological principle of divine justice in hardening Pharaoh's heart. He explains that after repeated opportunities to repent, Pharaoh's free will was diminished as a consequence of his own choices, leading to his ultimate downfall. This aligns with the principle that excessive sin can remove a person's ability to repent.
Chizkuni's Additional Perspective
Chizkuni highlights that Pharaoh's messengers confirmed the plague's selectivity, yet Pharaoh still refused to relent. This underscores the idea that even undeniable miracles may not sway those who are determined to resist the truth. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart was both a punishment and a means to demonstrate Hashem's full power through the remaining plagues.