Dear Friends,
This week's portion, Va'era offers a difficult theological challenge about the notion of free will. Free will is a core tenet of Judaism. When the opportunity to do good or evil presents itself, it is up to us to choose wisely. This is a responsibility that God placed within us.
How then do we explain the several verses in this portion that describe the "heart condition" that Pharaoh faces throughout the Ten Plagues? My colleague and teacher, Rabbi Shai Held inspired me this week with his teaching. During this period of immense suffering of the Egyptians, Pharaoh became more entrenched in his stubbornness and callousness. His position affected his heart. How?
For the first five plagues, the text indicates that "Pharaoh hardened his heart," meaning that he was in control of his callousness towards the Israelites even as his own people suffered. For the last five plagues, however, the text indicates in various forms, "God stiffened the heart of Pharaoh." This would suggest that Pharaoh was not in control of his responses, that he had no free will. Before the plagues begin, God tells Moses, "I will harden Pharaoh's heart" (Exodus 7:3). So is this an issue of predetermination? How could that be if Jewish tradition fully believes that humankind possesses free will?
Many commentators have engaged in literary gymnastics to reconcile core Jewish theology with what is written in the text. Some suggest that Pharaoh's cruelty was so great that he crossed a threshold that didn't allow for repentance or change. German psychoanalyst and philosopher Erich Fromm (d. 1980) suggests that "every evil act tends to harden a [person's] heart. . .The more a [person's] heart hardens, the less freedom [that person] has to change." This was Pharaoh's "heart condition". Most commentators believe that because of Pharaoh's evil actions, he was no longer free to change and repent.
This makes me wonder? Are some people beyond redemption? Are there some who are so evil, whose hearts are so hardened, even deadened that no amount of time or any sincere attempts to repent can ever lead to change?
Yes, there are sociopaths, whose words and deeds are beyond reproach. They are incapable of demonstrating any empathy towards a person who suffers. These are our modern day Pharaohs whose hearts will always be hardened.
However, is there such a thing as a rehabilitated sociopath? What about a former gang member, who committed awful crimes as a teenager, who has been imprisoned for decades, and in time has educated himself, perhaps has developed a deep and abiding faith, and has repudiated violence? Has he truly changed? Can he be a role model for others? He may never be released from his physical incarceration; however, perhaps he has been able to loosen his spiritual shackles and soften his heart; with his own free will.
I'd like to believe that with some very hard work, sincere contrition and authentic repentance, even some of the worst among us can find some inner, spiritual freedom which may not be beyond reach.
For those who sometimes feel their hearts hardening, or experiencing "deadness in one's soul" have faith that by doing some serious, hard and thoughtful work, one can change, become softened and responsive and come alive again.
May we use our free will to cultivate empathy, passion for the goodness we can carry with us, and to lead us down a path of righteousness.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,
