P² Parsha Perspectives: Parshat Vaera

 

One of the core tenets of Jewish faith is the idea that all of humanity is imbued with free will. G-d
created a world out of pure goodness, and that goodness would not be complete and perfect
without including a being that could willfully choose to connect to its Creator.

So not only do we have this beautiful world, delicious foods, breathtaking vistas and natural
wonders, but we also have the opportunity to go against our instinct and become like Hashem
using our Free Will. This is something unique to human beings.

If that is so, we must ask the question: In this week’s Parsha we are taught that Hashem
hardened Pharaoh’s heart - thereby forcing him, as it were, to refuse to let the Jewish people
go.

How was it fair for Pharaoh to lose his Free Will? Sure he wasn’t a righteous person, and
evidently he upset the Almighty in his treatment of the Jewish people, but what about the
possibility that he might repent? Do some people deserve and merit Free Will more than others?

Yes and no.

One beautiful perspective that is given is that Pharoah was about to face such incredible Godly
power that he needed his heart to be hardened in order to withstand the pain and pressure and
thereby make a free Will decision to let the Jews go. Without hardening Pharaoh's heart, he
wouldn’t stand a chance, and he’d be forced to let the Jewish people go. But God’s objective
was to simultaneously punish Pharaoh, while also giving him the strength and opportunity to
intentionally and willfully choose to let them go, as that would be a greater manifestation of
God’s infinite strength and power.

Another commentary answers our original question quite differently. He says that an individual
can indeed lose his/her gift of free will if it is abused and used incorrectly. Notice how only after
a few plagues does the Torah tell us that Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Originally, he
himself was the one refusing to let the Jews go, and he was hardening his own heart!
Eventually, Hashem felt the need to intervene, as His master plan and prophecy indicated that
the Jews were to leave Egypt with wealth and glory. And so Pharaoh had his chance. And when
he abused the gift of Free Will, Hashem took it away.

Every single day we have the incredible gift and opportunity to use our free will in a way that
brings us closer to Hashem. He wants nothing more than to shower us with blessings! Let’s
make Him proud and inch closer and closer to Him, with each passing day and with every
decision that we make, until we’re all reunited in Israel with the coming of Mashiach, may he
arrive speedily in our days.