Seeing the Light

As a preparation for the revelation of the Exodus and the Sinai experience, G-d gave the Jews a foretaste of the Divine light that they would experience on the last night in Egypt and beyond. But this light was so powerful that it overwhelmed the depraved Egyptians and temporarily blinded them. The plague of darkness showed them that there are aspects of G-d’s light that are so great — they are (at least temporarily) — totally beyond their grasp. The ninth plague showed the Egyptians that there was a level of G-dliness that left them totally in the dark.

The “Sandwiched” Plague

Of all the Ten Plagues that G-d brought upon the Egyptians, the plague of darkness is clearly the most enigmatic. Besides the obvious fright that overcame the Egyptians, the plague of darkness did not seem to have the same effect of all the other plagues.

All the other plagues either destroyed Egyptian resources (blood destroyed the Nile their water supply; pestilence killed their livestock and people; locusts destroyed most of their food supply) that were crucial to life, or caused bodily harm (frogs, lice, mixture of wild animals, boils, plague of the first born).

Furthermore, as the plagues progressed the harm that was caused by them also seemed to increase. (The last two plagues: hail and locusts were life threatening as was the last plague of the firstborn). “Sandwiched” in between these deadly plagues was the one of darkness that appeared to have been the least harmful of all.

What purpose was served by the plague of darkness?

Darkness the Ultimate form of Enlightenment

One explanation that will shed light (pun intended) on the plague of darkness views this plague as the ultimate enlightening experience and was therefore an integral part of the process of the Exodus from Egypt.

There are two forms and sources of darkness. One that derives from the absence of light. The other comes from excessive generation of light. When a very bright light is shined into someone’s eyes, he can become blinded. Looking directly into the sun — the most powerful light source to reach the Earth – can become the most darkening experience. (It is also interesting to note that the Talmud calls a blind person a “sagi nahor.” literally, one who has [too] much light.)

It can therefore be suggested that the plague of darkness was not caused by an absence of light, but by an abundance of it. And as will be explained, this served to underscore the very purpose of the Exodus.

A Foretaste of the Light of Sinai

In asking Pharaoh to let the Jews out of Egypt, Moses underscored the fact that the purpose of the Exodus would be to serve G-d. G-d himself said the same thing to Moses at the Burning Bush when He delegated the responsibility to redeem the Jews to him.

Chassidic thought describes the Exodus as much more than just an escape to freedom from physical oppression – it was an intensely spiritual revelation that was a precursor to the even greater revelation of G-d that would happen at Mount Sinai.

As a preparation for the revelation of the Exodus and the Sinai experience, G-d gave the Jews a foretaste of the Divine light that they would experience on the last night in Egypt and beyond. But this light was so powerful that it overwhelmed the depraved Egyptians and temporarily blinded them.

We can now appreciate the purpose of the ninth plague. As we mentioned last week, in addition to punishing the Egyptians, the plagues were meant to educate them. Each plague introduced them to another of G-d’s attributes.

The plague of darkness showed them that there are aspects of G-d’s light that are so great — they are (at least temporarily) — totally beyond their grasp.

In a manner of speaking, the ninth plague showed the Egyptians that there was a level of G-dliness that left them totally in the dark.

A Light to the Nations

At the same time, they learned that the Jewish nation was able to accept this G-dly revelation and grow with it. They learned, during the plague of darkness, that G-d was forming a nation that would be receptive to G-d’s light, so that they can serve as a “light unto the nations” - introduce this light to the rest of the world.

Accordingly, it taught the nations of the world that by helping the Jewish people to absorb this light — by way of Torah study and fulfillment of its precepts — they will also acquire the ability to absorb this powerful G-dly light.

The Light of the Future

One of the features of the Messianic Age is the intensity of the light that we will experience. One of its features, the Talmud tells us, is that the “righteous will bask in it and the wicked will be judged by it.”

It maybe suggested that the light to be introduced in the Messianic Age is the same light that was generated during the plague of darkness, with two salient differences.

First, in the future the light will become a permanent fixture and not just for a few days as in the plague of darkness.

Second, in the future, the entire world (with the exception of the extremely and incorrigible wicked) will be capable of absorbing it. Instead of serving as a paralyzing force as in the plague of darkness, it will be a liberating force for all of humanity. In the words of the prophet:

“All the nations shall walk in Your light.”

At that time no one will be left in the dark.

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Bo by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.