A Thought on Parshas Va'era

"...v'yichazek lev Pharoah..."
"...and Pharoah's heart hardened..." (8:15)

I am in Jerusalem currently and I spent last evening with my rebbe
HaGaon HaAdmor M'Savraan shlit'a, Rav Yissachar Dov Hager. He told over
an original explanation on why, when Moshe asked Pharoah when he would
like the plague of frogs to end, the Egyptian king said "tomorrow"
(8:6). Many commentaries have puzzled over this. If one was beset by
troubles and had the ability to have them ended, surely one would
demand an immediate stop to them! The Rebbe explained that Pharoah
thought about himself, and simply had no real concern for the welfare
of others. His immediate response was a nonchalant "Just take care of
it tomorrow" since the problem was primarily outdoors affecting others.

I mentioned then to the Rebbe that the Bechor Shor offers a related
thought. The verse cited above refers to the plague of kinim, lice. We
do not find that Pharoah asked that this plague stop nor did he
entreaty Moshe to pray for help. What made the plague of lice less of a
problem in Pharoah's eyes? The Bechor Shor offers that King Pharoah
lived in his palace where the floors were made of marble. Marble gets
swept every day and as a result, there was no accumulation of dirt for
the lice to nest. As for the people outside, reasoned Pharoah, most of
them are poor workers anyway who are accustomed to dirt and to lice. He
decided to let them worry about themselves, and hence did not ask for
intervention nor turn to Moshe in panic.

The lesson to be learned from these similar interpretations pertains to
our own level of consideration and concern for others. When things are
well with us, do we sit back and relax, or do we appreciate our comfort
but then seek out the welfare of those around us? Are we content with
our personal circumstances, or are we concurrently moved by the plight
and needs of others, willing to intervene and help them despite risking
our own tranquility and ease?

Are we Pharoahs, or are we Moshes?

Good Shabbos and blessings from the Holy City.. D Fox