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Rashi does not comment on this pasuk, which might imply that he did not see it as a major divergence from the obstacles Paroh put before the wheels of liberation. According to Rashi, then, there is no trust put in Paroh or his kind, as we see from the continuation, that Paroh did not yet let the people go.
There are two ways to read the pasuk from a linguistic perspective: 1) Now I understand that I am the one who has been wrong; 2) Only this time was Hashem in the right. The trop, which puts the major pause after "hapa’am" (this time), implies that the second way is correct – it was a minor admission and not an act of repentance and reverence of His ways. What is it, if so, that Paroh was noting?
The Chizkuni explained that Paroh was impressed by the fact that Hashem did not try to surprise them but warned the Egyptians to bring their cattle in before the hail fell (ibid. 19). This was not a sweeping admission that Hashem’s overall demands of him were proper or that his enslavement of the people had been immoral but a small nod to the fact that Hashem had "fought fairly." Ibn Ezra posited that there was somewhat of a fuller admission of guilt but that it was done only out of fear for his life and not out of remorse. The Ramban and the Bechor Shor explain the pasuk as a (temporary) sincere admission of wrongdoing over time.
This machloket also finds expression in the commentary on a surprising pasuk in Yeshayahu (19:25). The prophecy, which speaks harshly about the prospects of Egypt and relates to its struggles against Assyria, ends as follows: "Hashem blessed, saying, ‘Blessed is My nation, Egypt, and the work of My hands, Assyria, and My inheritance, Israel." The Radak explains that Egypt became His nation again when they repented. Although it is difficult to fit into the words, Rashi explains that Hashem was blessing Israel who became Hashem’s nation when they were in Egypt. In other words, Rashi did not believe that Egypt was capable of repenting to a significant degree.
Let us pray that just as we, who as a nation merited seeing the liberation from Egypt in the time of Moshe and the ingathering of the exiles in our generation, will likewise see the nations of the Arab world, especially Egypt, repent and recognize that Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish nation, and thereby, the spiritual center of the whole monotheistic world.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.