Compendium of Opinions for -I'm Gonna Harden Your Heart
AK
ByAaron Kagan
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Shemos
  • The different opinions on why & for what purpose his heart was hardened
    1. To be able to perform all the miracles and bring a revelation of Hashem’s presence to
      1. The Jews & the world[1]
      2. the Egyptians[2]
    2. inspire Repentance in the
      1. Egyptians [3]
      2. Jews[4],
    3. Remove the tumah of Egypt and reveal the 10 [5]statements of creation [6]
    4. Hashem knew he wasn’t going to do Teshuva, or it would be an insincere and incomplete repentance. [7]
    5. Strengthen pharaoh’s ability to withstand the difficulty of the makos, and thereby still have free will[8]
    6. To cause the Jews to recognize Hashem might and be inspired and fearful of Him[9]
    7. To be able to perform all the makos, and thereby PUNISH the Egyptians for their action against the Jews[10].
    8. Teshuva is a Chesed of Hashem and only given to those who believe in him [uniquely -the Jewish Nation], not to heretics and idolaters[11]
    9. Since he had been given enough chances, Hashem takes away the chance to repent, as happens to the wicked when appropriate. This then guarantees that they will be punished for their prior sins. Additionally, the inability to do Teshuva causes greater sin[12] and “tumah”[13]
    10. To give Pharaoh ability to withstand the words of a Tzadik[14]
    11. His heart wasn’t hardened directly by Hashem. It was result of experiencing the makos and their cessation; the result was that he became inured to the suffering and could blame natural causes. [15]
    12. As a precursor to the future redemption -which mirrored this one[16]
  • How can Pharaoh be punished if he has no free will
    1. He still had free will –see above-[17]
    2. Was only punished for prior sins[18]
    3. Was punished for his refusal to submit in the first 5 makos, as his heart wasn’t hardened by Hashem in those[19]
    4. The makos weren’t given as a punishment but a lesson in faith /revelation of Hashem -see above
    5. He had it coming to him as a measure for measure –for his obstinacy in not recognizing Hashem-see above
    6. His denial of Hashems' existence required that he be the vehicle to attest to His presence and power[20]
    7. Since his actions were against the Jews, they are classified as “bain adam Lichaveiro” and he is being punished for his actions against the Jews. (Teshuva to Hashem won’t help).[21]
  • What are the lessons
    1. To teach us that just as we find strength within us for a difficult situation, so to one can overcome an impossible situation in spiritual struggles as well.[22]
    2. The consequence of doing nothing and ignoring events [23]
    3. The downward spiral of sin[24]

[1] Ramban, Rashbam, and implied in the verses

[2] Shemos 7:5, Abarbenel-3rd answer

[3] Seforno

[4] Ha’amek Davar, side point of Seforno, Various baalei mussar

[5] The 10 Makos are a reverse parallel of the 10 ma’amaros of creation, (they also parallel the 10 commandments- see Alshich)

[6] Shem Mi’Shmuel -other Chasidic seforim

[7] Malbim, Seforno, Ohr Hachaim, also Rashi –according to some commentaries on Rashi, see Sifsei Chachomim 7:3, and Sifsei Chachomim & Mizrachi 10:1

[8] Yismach Moshe, Malbim

[9] Rashi 7:3

[10] Abarbanel-1st answer

[11] Abarbanel- 2nd answer

[12] It’s unclear if they get punished for the subsequent sin, or if the greater sins and tumah caused by the inability to do teshuva is its own punishment

[13] Rambam, laws of teshuva, 6:3

[14] Noam Elimelech shemos 4:21, Hamek Davar -Moshe was imbued with G-dly presence

[15] Abarbenel-3rd answer

[16] Aderet Eliyohu

[17] According to the Seforno (7:4) the only punishment was the last makah and the yam suf; all the others were to inspire them to repent. the Malbim (4:22-23) views all of the makos as punishment since he had free will as a result of the hardened heart

[18] Ramban 7:3 in one answer, and possibly Rambam

[19] Ramban ibid in 2nd answer

[20] Maharal - Gevurot 31:4

[21] Abarbanel-1st answer, Be’er Mayim Chayim

[22] Nesivos Shalom, Bais Avrohom of Slonim see Meorei Chassidus Shemos 10:1

[23] Reb Yerucham Shemos 7:23

[24] Reb Yerucham Shemos pgs 35-38 (maamarim)