Rabbi Chaim Lobel
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH STATE
January 15, 2010
On God's command, Moses and Aaron approached Pharaoh and demanded he release the Israelites from bondage. Pharaoh mocked Moses and Aaron's request to free the slaves. To add insult to injury, Pharaoh ordered his officers to stop providing straw for clay and thereby multiplying the slaves' workload (Exodus 5:10).
God responded to Moses that it was His will for Pharaoh not to listen; God's plan was to "harden Pharaoh's heart... and multiply my miracles and wonders in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 7:3). Henceforth, the Ten Plagues were to start.
The Seforno (1475-1550) explains that God strengthened Pharaoh's heart and made him stubborn so that Pharaoh would act of free will rather than fear. Otherwise, Pharaoh would have expelled the Jews after the first plague. God wanted Pharaoh to free the Jews in recognition that God is the sovereign of the universe.
Why? Why does it matter whether Pharaoh acted of free will or fear so long as he freed the Jews? Surely the Jews didn't need to witness the miracles, for they were minor compared to the revelation at Mount Sinai.
The Medrash Rabba (30-200 CE; Shemot Rabba 9:1) quotes the prophet Ezekiel (500 BCE; 33:11) "I (God) do not desire in the death of the wicked, rather let him return from his ways and live." The Medrash explains that this verse was one of the reasons for all God's miracles at Egyptian expense.
The Yefe Toar (17th century), commenting on the Medrash, explains that part of God's justice is to preserve man's free will, the ability to choose and act of his own volition. Forcing Pharaoh to react from fear would have undermined God's system of justice. God had to convince Egypt and Pharaoh that it was wrong to enslave Israel and to choose to release them.
Part of God's justice is giving man the ability to make decisions. God had to wait until Egypt repented.
Free will is a gift of God that can never be compromised. Doing the right thing is only right when a person comes to the realization that it is the right decision. The concept of free will is grounded in understanding our choices and acting upon them. When dealing with others, especially children, it's important to remember to protect their free will and enable them to make the right choices.
Rabbi Chaim Lobel is spiritual leader of Young Israel of Aberdeen.
www.yiaberdeen.com