First is in the very beginning of the passage, “Come to Pharaoh
for I have made his heart, and the heart of his servants hard,
so my signs can be made known to him.” This raises an obvious
question — Judaism teaches that G-d does not interfere with the
personal actions of individuals. Here, as can clearly be
interpreted, G-d is doing exactly that with Pharaoh. While the
wording indeed seems to indicate G-d is interfering with
Pharaoh’s actions, it certainly is not the case. Every time
Pharaoh refused the command of G-d to let the Jewish people go
and serve him, Pharaoh’s heart hardened to the point making it
less possible for Pharaoh to agree. All together, Pharaoh’s
heart being hardened is mentioned 19 times here. But Pharaoh
would not allow himself to be swayed; each time his stance would
be stronger and more stubborn. Even the idea of G-d in Pharaoh’s
thinking would harden his heart. Pharaoh could not conceive that
there was any force more powerful than himself. In that respect,
G-d hardened Pharaoh’s hear