Daily Zohar # 4774 – Beshalach – I have sinned against YHVH

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Hebrew translation:

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Zohar Beshalach
Continued from previous DZ
#187
Rabbi Yehuda said in the name of Rabbi Yitzchak: Pharaoh was wiser than all his sorcerers. He examined all the crowns and all the knowledge of the forces of the other side (Sitra Achra), and from every angle of their dominion, he saw no sign that there would be redemption for Israel. The redemption was not dependent on any of their crowns. Moreover, all the higher powers of the Sitra Achra bound a strong tie over Israel to prevent them from escaping their grasp. Pharaoh did not consider that there could be another bond of faith that rules over all the forces of the Sitra Achra. Therefore, he continued to harden his heart.

#188
Rabbi Abba said: Pharaoh only hardened his heart against this name (YHVH, י-ה-ו-ה). For when Moses would say, “Thus said YHVH,” it was specifically this word, YHVH, that caused Pharaoh to harden his heart. As it is written: “And YHVH hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” In all his wisdom, Pharaoh could not find that this name, YHVH, had dominion over the earth. Therefore, he said: “Who is YHVH?”
Later, when he considered repenting, he said: “YHVH is righteous.” Rabbi Yossi said: Afterward, he even declared: “I have sinned against YHVH.” The same mouth that said, “Who is YHVH?” was the very one to say, “I have sinned against YHVH.”

Notes:
Pharaoh’s challenge to Hashem’s name, YHVH, stemmed from his disbelief in its dominion over the physical world. Through the plagues, he came to acknowledge YHVH’s supreme authority and ultimately admitted his sin against Hashem.

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