The Parsha Discussion with Alex Israel — Vaera. Are We Free?

Posted by Alex Israel on January 21, 2020
Topics: The Parsha Discussion, Shemot (Exodus), VaEra

“And God Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart” – The question is well known: If God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, how is he culpable for withholding freedom from the Israelites? A person can only be held responsible for his actions if he is free. If Pharaoh was compelled to act by divine fiat, then why is he to blame?

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This Parsha Discussion is sponsored by Drs Amy Fox Griffel and Martin I Griffel in memory of her mother, Sally Fox, Sima Bat Moshe v Michla on the occasion of her yahrtzeit.

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About Alex Israel

Alex teaches Bible at Pardes and is the Director of the Community Education Program and the Summer Program. Alex was born and raised in London. He holds degrees from London School of Economics, the Institute of Education London and Bar-Ilan University. Alex studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehudah Amital, and gained Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate. Click here to read more. You can find books written by Alex by clicking here

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