Divine Power Within Opposition
ובמדרש כובד אבן כו'.
“And in the Midrash: ‘The weight of a stone…’”
The Sefat Emet cites a Midrashic phrase that introduces the theme of great and wondrous Divine strength.
פי' שזה גבורה נפלאה ביותר.
“This means that this is an exceedingly wondrous strength.”
He explains that the idea being taught is not ordinary power but an astonishing form of Divine might.
אשר הש"י מתפאר בזה.
“For the Holy One, blessed be He, takes pride in this.”
The Sefat Emet emphasizes that God considers this aspect of His power a source of glory.
אשר התעללתי במצרים.
“‘That I have mocked/played with Egypt.’”
This refers to the verse where God declares that the plagues demonstrate His mastery even while allowing the wicked to appear resistant.
במה שנתן כח לרשעים לעשות חפצם ולמרות עיני כבודו והכל בכח הבורא ית'.
“By giving power to the wicked to do their will and defy the honor of His Presence, and all this is by the power of the Creator, blessed be He.”
The Sefat Emet describes the paradox that God Himself grants evildoers strength and free will to oppose Him, yet this opposition is also sustained solely by His power.
כי הוא כל יכול וברא הבריאה באופן זה שיהי' שייך התנגדות.
“For He is all‑powerful and created the world in such a way that opposition would be possible.”
Creation was designed to allow resistance, so that human choice and moral struggle could exist meaningfully.
והכל בעבור בנ"י שיהי' נאמר עליהם תנו עוז לאלקים.
“And all of this is for the sake of the Children of Israel, so that it may be said of them: ‘Give strength to God.’”
Israel’s role is to redirect and elevate this worldly power, transforming potential opposition into acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty.
וזה וכעס אויל כבד כו'.
“And this is (the meaning of) ‘The anger of a fool is heavy…’”
The verse alludes to the burden and weight of folly, representing the forces that resist holiness.
ובמ"א הארכנו בזה:
“And elsewhere we have elaborated on this.”
The Sefat Emet notes that this theme is expanded more fully in other teachings.
Summary: God’s granting of power to the wicked—allowing them to oppose Him—is itself a supreme expression of Divine might. This structure of creation enables Israel to transform apparent resistance into an increase of God’s revealed strength.