1. RASHI METHOD: REFERENCES BRIEF EXPLANATION: Commentary on a verse is provided thru a cross-reference to another verse. The cross references can either provide (1a) further details, (1b) confirm citations, or (1c) clarify word meaning. This examples applies to Rashis Ex08-28a URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w35n3.htm Brief Summary: By force Pharoh will not only let the Jews go but will actually expel them without them having time to prepare bread (Ex12-33)

Verse Ex08-28a discussing Pharoh's refusal to let the Jews leave during the 4th plague states And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, and would not let the people go Rashi notes that the underlined words, at this time also references verses Ex08-04,Ex08-11 discussing Pharoh's refusal to let the Jews leave during the 2nd plague. Hence the Rashi comment Pharoh already promised during the 2nd plague, (but not during the 1st and 3rd plague) to let the people go and then renegged on his promise when the plague was lifted. Hence the statement during the 4th plague this time also refers to the fact that his actions during the 4th plague - a) a promise to let the people go, b) the hardening of his heart and c) the consequent refusal to keep his promise to let the people go - were a repetition of similar activity during the 2nd plague. [Note also: That in the 2nd and 4th plague the phrase hardening of feeling is used while in the 1st and 3rd plague the phrase strengthening of resolve is used thus intensifying the parallel between the 2nd and 4th plague.

Text of Target Verse Ex08-28a	Text of Reference Verse Ex08-04,Ex08-11
And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.	Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs.... and I will let the people go, ... ... But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart
Rashi comments: Pharoh already promised during the 2nd plague, (but not during the 1st and 3rd plague) to let the people go and then renegged on his promise when the plague was lifted. Hence the statement during the 4th plague this time also refers to the fact that his actions during the 4th plague - a) to let the people go, b) the hardening of his heart and c) the consequent refusal to keep his promise to let the people go - were a repetition of similar activity during the 2nd plague. [Note also: That in the 2nd and 4th plague the phrase hardening of feeling is used while in the 1st and 3rd plague the phrase strengthening of resolve is used thus intensifying the parallel between the 2nd and 4th plague.

Advanced Rashi: We make some comments on translation.
• The English translations of the Biblical terms used are literally translated as strengthened his heart and weighted his heart. We believe that strengthened his heart is better translated into English as strengthened his resolve similar to the English idiom. Similarly weighted his heart would probably be best translated as hardened his emotions. All translations are at best approximations but these appear best.
• Following up on the last bullet we see that the phrases strengthened his resolve and hardened his emotions are both used. They seem to be used interchangably. Their might be some subtle nuance of a difference between them but I am not presently aware of what this difference is.