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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
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
