Parshat Vaera -Truth and Kindness
by Rabbi Lobel

(Shmos chapter 9, verse 27) Pharaoh sent and summoned Moses and Aaron and said too them, this time I have sinned this time, G-d is righteous and my nation and I are wicked.

After seven plagues, Pharaoh relents. It took seven plagues? Wasn't one sufficient? During the plague of blood all liquids, water, fruit juice and even body excrements suffered. Imagine bloody perspiration and saliva (Shmos Rabba 9:10). Then came the frogs who even entered unnatural areas such as human bodies and hot ovens just to do the will of G-d. The croaking noises caused deafness in many Egyptians (Shmos Rabba 10:6) During the plague of lice, Egyptians would rub against the wall till bone was exposed since the lice stung harder than needles (Medrash Hagadol 8:12).

Wild beasts joined forces with other beasts who were natural enemies (lions and hyenas) (Me'om Lo'ez Vaeira 12:13). Natural barriers such as doors were unlocked by octopus tentacles (Sefer Hayashar). Domesticated animals attacked (Medrash Hagadol 8:17). The pestilence wiped ninety percent of Egyptian livestock (Sefer Hayashar 187). Animals died suddenly killing their riders (Medrash Hagadol 9:1).During boils the Egyptians smelled putrid as they were unable to bathe (Sefer Hayashar 187). Pharaoh suffered the most from the boils(Me'om Lo'ez 14:7).

Throughout the first six plagues, Pharaoh remained steadfast. After the hail, he relented. Why hail? The Daas Zekainim explains that G-d promised that anything indoors would not be harmed. Pharaoh and some Egyptians did not heed to this advice and continued their way of business. The Reeva expounds that Pharaoh told Moses, "It's because you were kind and warned us clearly and we still did not listen to G-d's good advice".

Look again at the introductory verse - "I have sinned this time, G-d is righteous and my nation and I are wicked." Pharaoh only relented after G-d extended a kindness to him in warning how to avoid the worst of the hail. It seems that Pharaoh only opened his mind after realizing that G-d was indeed righteous.

We see a tremendous insight into human nature. Despite witnessing G-d's awesome might and despite horrific suffering, Pharaoh would not budge. Yet, at G-d's first show of kindness and honesty, Pharaoh yielded.

Influence is at its best when one sees genuine honesty and kindness. G-d is destroying Egypt but Pharaoh only acknowledges G-d on the basis of chessed (kindness), that there was a way to save his assets during the plague of hail.

All of us could glean from this how to influence another. When bringing one closer to Judaism, we should focus on being genuine and kind. If one sees those qualities he will ultimately be more receptive in accepting influence.