Vaeira 8:28 · EXTRA 1 — Pharaoh made his heart heavy EXTRA

Parashas Vaeira · Side page (no TT primary unit)

The Complete Passuk

וַיַּכְבֵּ֤ד פַּרְעֹה֙ אֶת־לִבּ֔וֹ גַּ֖ם בַּפַּ֣עַם הַזֹּ֑את וְלֹ֥א שִׁלַּ֖ח אֶת־הָעָֽם׃ {פ}

But Pharaoh became stubborn this time also, and would not let the people go.

Shemos Rabbah 8:5 — EXTRA.

Core Text

ויכבד פרעה את לבו —\ldots מעצמו.

English: “And Pharaoh made his heart heavy” — \ldots of his own accord.

On the midrash / in context: Again the active verb is on Pharaoh; the pattern of self-hardening continues through the early plagues.

Custom

Chazal attribute this round of hardening to Pharaoh’s own choice.