Judaism 101: The Foundations

Exodus 10: The Locusts and the Darkness

The Big Question

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt like you were banging your head against a wall, unable to make progress? Perhaps you were trying to convince someone of something important, or trying to break a bad habit. You presented logical arguments, demonstrated the negative consequences, and yet, the other person (or even yourself!) remained stubbornly resistant. It can be incredibly frustrating, leaving you to wonder: why do people, or even entire nations, dig in their heels when faced with overwhelming evidence or clear danger? In our Torah portion this week, Exodus chapter 10, we witness Pharaoh’s seemingly inexplicable resistance to letting the Israelites go, even as Egypt is being devastated by plagues. God even explicitly states, "I have hardened his heart." This raises profound questions about free will, divine intervention, and the nature of stubbornness. Are we truly free agents, or are our destinies predetermined? When God says He hardens a heart, what does that mean for Pharaoh's responsibility? And how does this narrative speak to our own experiences with resistance and the possibility of change?

One Core Concept

Divine Purpose in Hardening Hearts: This week's parashah introduces a complex theological concept: God's active role in hardening Pharaoh's heart. The text reveals that this hardening is not arbitrary but serves a divine purpose: to magnify God's power through signs and wonders, ensuring that both the Egyptians and future generations will know and acknowledge God's sovereignty. This concept challenges us to consider that even in what appears to be a struggle of wills, there might be a larger divine plan unfolding.

Breaking It Down

This week's portion, Exodus chapter 10, continues the dramatic confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh. We are entering the final stages of the plagues, and the stakes are higher than ever.

The Tenth Plague: Locusts

Hook

The chapter opens with God speaking directly to Moses, explaining the divine strategy. "Go to Pharaoh. For I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his courtiers, in order that I may display these My signs among them, and that you may recount in the hearing of your child and of your child’s child how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them—in order that you may know that I am יהוה.” (Exodus 10:1-2).

Insight 1: The Divine Purpose of the Hardening

This is a pivotal moment. For the first time, God explicitly states that He is hardening Pharaoh's heart. Before this, Pharaoh's resistance seemed to stem from his own will. Now, God reveals a deeper layer.

• Ramban's Perspective: The great medieval commentator Ramban explains that God hardened their hearts despite their fear and confessions. This isn't about punishing them more, but about creating a stage for God to display His power. The purpose is twofold: for the Egyptians to witness God's might, and for the Israelites to have powerful stories to pass down through generations, solidifying their knowledge of God.
• Ibn Ezra's Nuance: Ibn Ezra adds that God hardening Pharaoh's heart was necessary because Pharaoh's servants' hearts would soften during the coming plague. This suggests a complex interplay of wills and a divine orchestration of events.
• Rashbam's Psychological Insight: Rashbam notes that God only says He hardened Pharaoh's heart after Pharaoh and his servants had confessed their sins (as seen in the previous chapter, 9:27) and then reneged. God is explaining the incomprehensible: how could Pharaoh sin deliberately after such a confession? The answer is that God Himself was stiffening his resolve.
• Sforno's Emphasis on Demonstration: Sforno emphasizes that the hardening allows for more miracles. The goal is to create penitents among the Egyptians and to teach future generations about God's patience and love for His creatures.

Insight 2: The Locust Plague

Following God's declaration, Moses and Aaron deliver a stark warning to Pharaoh: "Let My people go that they may worship Me. For if you refuse to let My people go, tomorrow I will bring locusts on your territory. They shall cover the surface of the land, so that no one will be able to see the land. They shall devour the surviving remnant that was left to you after the hail; and they shall eat away all your trees that grow in the field." (Exodus 10:4-5).

• The Severity: This is not just a minor inconvenience. The locusts are described as an unprecedented plague, consuming everything the hail left behind – the remaining crops, the trees, and even filling the palaces. It's a total devastation of the land's resources.
• Pharaoh's Servants' Plea: For the first time, Pharaoh's own courtiers urge him to let the Israelites go, recognizing that Egypt is "lost." They seem to understand the gravity of the situation more than Pharaoh himself.
• Pharaoh's Negotiation: Pharaoh, under immense pressure, attempts to negotiate: "Go, worship your God יהוה ! Who are the ones to go?" Moses insists that they must all go, including their livestock, for their worship. Pharaoh counters, willing to let the people go but not the livestock, revealing his unwillingness to fully comply.

Insight 3: The Ninth Plague: Darkness

After the locusts are miraculously removed by a strong west wind, God declares the next plague: darkness. "Hold out your arm toward the sky that there may be darkness upon the land of Egypt, a darkness that can be touched." (Exodus 10:21).

• A Tangible Darkness: This is no ordinary darkness. It's described as "darkness that can be touched," a palpable, oppressive gloom that lasts for three days.
• A Stark Contrast: Crucially, "all the Israelites enjoyed light in their dwellings." This emphasizes the divine protection afforded to the Israelites and the selective nature of God's judgment.
• Pharaoh's Further Negotiation: Pharaoh again summons Moses, offering a compromise: the people can go, but the livestock must stay. Moses rejects this, stating that they need their livestock for sacrifices to God. This highlights the Israelites' unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's commands completely.
• Pharaoh's Final Threat: Pharaoh, enraged by Moses' refusal, threatens him with death if he ever appears before him again. Moses accepts this, signifying the end of their direct negotiations.

Insight 4: The "Why" Behind the Plagues and the Hardening

The commentators delve into the reasons behind the escalating plagues and God's role in hardening Pharaoh's heart.

• Kli Yakar's Explanation: Kli Yakar offers a fascinating perspective on why the locust plague and the subsequent need for storytelling are emphasized. He suggests that previous plagues, while devastating, left little lasting "trace" that would prompt future generations to ask questions. The locusts, however, would leave a unique mark. If, in the future, locusts entered Egypt and didn't eat the crops (a miraculous sign that would persist), people would ask why. This would lead to the story of the Exodus, ensuring God's wonders are remembered. He also questions why Pharaoh's servants' hearts were only mentioned as being hardened in the plagues of hail and locusts. He posits that Pharaoh's servants were more directly affected by the famine and drought plagues than Pharaoh himself, who likely had stored grain. Therefore, their hearts would be more susceptible to softening, and God's hardening of their hearts in these later plagues explains their continued resistance.
• The Nature of True Repentance: Kli Yakar also touches on the idea that Pharaoh's repentance was not genuine. He only conceded when under duress. True repentance, according to this view, comes from a submission to God's word, not just from the fear of the plague. Moses' initial words to Pharaoh, "How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me?" (Exodus 10:3), emphasize this – the issue is not just the plague, but Pharaoh's refusal to acknowledge God's authority.

How We Live This

This week's portion, with its focus on Pharaoh's hardened heart and the escalating plagues, offers several profound lessons for our own lives.

Insight 1: Understanding Resistance and Hardness

• Recognizing Patterns: Just as Pharaoh’s heart became progressively harder, we too can become resistant to change, to new information, or to spiritual growth. Sometimes, this hardness isn't immediate but develops over time through repeated choices.
• The Role of Divine Intervention (and Our Own Agency): While the text speaks of God hardening Pharaoh's heart, it also shows Pharaoh making choices. This is a complex theological tension. In our lives, we might experience situations where external forces seem to hinder us, but we also have agency. We can choose how to respond to challenges, whether to remain rigid or to be open to transformation. The commentaries suggest that God’s hardening often occurs when individuals have repeatedly rejected divine guidance.
• Empathy for the "Hardened": While Pharaoh is presented as an antagonist, the commentaries offer insights into the mechanisms of hardening. Understanding these mechanisms – the interplay of fear, pride, self-interest, and perhaps even a divine allowance for the hardening to achieve a greater purpose – can foster a degree of empathy, even for those we find difficult. It reminds us that people's actions are often complex.

Insight 2: The Power of Storytelling and Memory

• Passing Down Our Values: The explicit mention of recounting these events to children and grandchildren is a powerful reminder of the importance of intergenerational transmission of values and history. How do we share our own stories of faith, struggle, and resilience with the next generation?
• Creating Lasting Impressions: The emphasis on the locust plague as a sign that would prompt future questions highlights how significant events can become touchstones for memory and understanding. What are the "signs" in our lives that help us remember our connection to the Divine and our history?
• The Purpose of Remembering: The ultimate goal of these stories, as highlighted by the commentators, is "in order that you may know that I am יהוה." The stories are not just historical accounts but theological lessons designed to deepen our relationship with God.

Insight 3: The Nature of True Surrender

• Beyond Coercion: Pharaoh’s willingness to "let go" only under the threat of destruction, and his attempts to negotiate away essential elements of the Israelites' worship (like their livestock), reveal a superficial compliance. True surrender, as exemplified by Moses’ insistence on taking everything needed for worship, involves a deeper commitment.
• The Cost of Compliance: Moses’ unwavering stance, even when threatened, demonstrates the importance of not compromising on fundamental principles or spiritual obligations. Sometimes, what seems like a reasonable compromise can actually undermine the very purpose of our actions.
• The Israelites' Light in Darkness: The image of the Israelites having light in their homes while Egypt is plunged into darkness is a powerful metaphor. It suggests that even in times of great difficulty and confusion in the world around us, maintaining our connection to the Divine can provide inner light and guidance.

Insight 4: The Unfolding Divine Plan

• Trusting the Process: Even when things seem dire and progress is slow, the narrative of the plagues suggests that there is a larger divine plan at work. God's actions, even the seemingly harsh ones like hardening a heart, are ultimately aimed at revealing His power and bringing about a desired outcome.
• Patience and Perseverance: Moses, despite facing Pharaoh's intransigence, perseveres. This teaches us the importance of patience and faith, even when our efforts seem to yield no immediate results.
• Learning from the Past: The emphasis on remembering these events for future generations underscores the idea that history offers lessons. By studying these narratives, we can gain wisdom and insight that informs our present and future actions.

One Thing to Remember

The hardening of hearts, whether Pharaoh's or our own, is often a complex interplay of choices and divine purpose. God’s ultimate goal in these intense moments is to reveal His power and ensure we know that He is, leading to deeper understanding and connection.