The Torah states, “Hashem said to Moshe, “…I shall harden the heart of Pharaoh so that I may multiply My signs and My wonders upon Egypt…Pharaoh will not heed you, and I shall put My hand upon Egypt.” Rashi cites Chazal who explain that G’d hardened the heart of Pharaoh in order to bring about a situation in which He could increase the miracles and wonders to bring about the redemption.
Egypt was not only the “breadbasket” of the world, it was the height of civilization. As a global power, the Egyptian culture/civilization influenced all existence. The plagues brought upon Egypt served a dual purpose. Firstly, they were intended to be a punishment for the Egyptians and secondly, so that as a result of witnessing these revealed miracles, the Egyptians should come to the realization “that I am G’d.” They would become monotheists by understanding that there is nothing in existence that occurs without G’d’s direct involvement. Reb Meir Simcha of Dvinsk Z”L explains that G’d hardened the heart of Pharaoh in order to create a setting in which the world would come to the realization that G’d is the Omnipotent Being. Since Egypt was a global power with far-reaching influence, when they were to be affected by the miracles/plagues then their newfound belief would have a ripple effect throughout the world.
It is interesting to note that the reason the Egyptians chose to kill the newborn Jewish males by drowning them in the Nile was that they believed that G’d could not destroy them through water. Since G’d metes out justice measure for measure, the means through which the Egyptians would be punished. However G’d had made a covenant with existence after the Great Flood that He would never again destroy the world through water, the Egyptians believed that G’d had no recourse against them. Why would the Egyptians believe that they were immune to retribution through water? The covenant that was made by G’d was that He would not destroy the world through water. Egypt was not the entire world. Since G’d in fact did not destroy Egypt through water because of the covenant that He had made with existence, it is eviden that Egypt was considered the equivalent of the entire world. This demonstrates further that if G’d impacted upon Egypt it would ultimately affect all existence. It is true that the Egyptian army was destroyed through water/the Sea, but in that circumstance G’d did not bring the water upon them, but rather, they were lured to the water and thus destroyed.
Reb Yonasan Eibschitz Z”L explains why G’d elevates the nations that afflict the Jewish people. As the Master of the Universe, G’d’ is interested in interacting with existence in a manner that will have the greatest level of impact/impression and so the world should come to the realization that He is the Omnipotent Being. Thus, in order to bring this about, He first elevates the person or nation to a level of prominence and power only to ultimately destroy them. These individuals or nations are seen by the world as invincible and only then does G’d destroy them to demonstrate His power.
Prepared by Devorah Abenhaim
