Divine Mercy in Judgment
Right and Left · Redemption · Divine Providence · Israel's Merit
בפסוק ימינך ה' כו' כתב רש"י ז"ל כשישראל זוכין אף השמאל נעשה ימין כו'.
“On the verse ‘Your right hand, O Hashem…,’ Rashi writes that when Israel are meritorious, even the left side becomes the right.”
The Sefat Emet begins by explaining Rashi’s teaching that divine ‘left’—normally associated with judgment—is transformed into ‘right,’ kindness, when Israel merit it.
דאיתא וכי יש ימין ושמאל לפני הקב"ה אלא אלו מיימינין לזכות ואלו משמאילין לחובה ע"ש.
“For it is taught: Is there truly right and left before the Holy One? Rather, these act to the right—toward merit—and these act to the left—toward liability.”
The Sages clarify that ‘right’ and ‘left’ describe effects in the world—merciful or severe outcomes—not attributes in God Himself.
וכשבנ"י זוכין. המשמאילין לחובה הוא על שונאי ישראל.
“And when Israel are meritorious, the left that brings liability applies only to the enemies of Israel.”
Judgment shifts away from Israel and is redirected toward those who oppose them.
ואז הכל נעשה ימין.
“And then everything becomes right.”
All divine actions are perceived as kindness for Israel.
שכן צריך להיות.
“For this is how it is meant to be.”
The ideal state is that Israel experience only divine benevolence.
כי השמאל הי' רק להכניע הרשעים כמ"ש שמאלו תחת לראשי שהוא שמירה לבנ"י.
“For the left existed only to subdue the wicked, as in the verse ‘His left hand is under my head,’ meaning protection for Israel.”
The ‘left’—judgment—is ultimately a protective force for Israel, restricting harmful forces.
אך בגלות נסתר זה וכ' השיב אחור ימינו.
“But in exile this is hidden, as it is written: ‘He turned back His right hand.’”
In exile, divine kindness seems concealed and the world appears ruled by harshness.
אבל כשיש גאולה מתברר שהכל הי' הכנה בעבור בנ"י.
“But when there is redemption, it becomes clear that everything was preparation for Israel.”
Redemption reveals retrospective meaning: even judgments were ultimately for Israel’s benefit.
וכ"כ וירא ישראל את היד הגדולה כו'.
“Thus it says: ‘And Israel saw the great hand…’”
At the Exodus, Israel perceived the full measure of divine action.
שכל מעשה מצרים הי' נראה כמו שמאל.
“For all the events in Egypt had appeared as ‘left.’”
The suffering and oppression seemed to come from the side of judgment.
ובגאולה נתברר שהי' רק חסד וגדולה.
“But in the redemption it became clear that it was only kindness and greatness.”
Once redeemed, the people saw that all events were divine benevolence in disguise.
ולכן שרו שירה ושבחו גם על הגלות כמ"ש אמר אויב ארדוף כו'.
“Therefore they sang praise even for the exile, as in the verse: ‘The enemy said: I will pursue…’”
They could praise God even for past suffering, seeing its ultimate purpose.
שראו שהכל הי' רק לטובה.
“For they saw that everything had been only for the good.”
The clarity of redemption revealed the inherent goodness of all prior events.
ולכן וייראו העם את ה' יראת הרוממות.
“Therefore the people feared Hashem with awe of exaltedness.”
Their fear was not fear of punishment, but awe at divine greatness.
כי הירא אלקים הוא יראת העונש.
“For ‘fear of God’ implies fear of punishment.”
The Sefat Emet distinguishes between punitive fear and reverent awe.
וייראו את ה' הוא כענין הנ"ל השמאל נעשה ימין.
“But ‘they feared Hashem’ refers to the matter explained above: the left becoming right.”
Their awe stemmed from realizing that judgment had transformed into kindness.
Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that divine ‘left’ (judgment) exists only to restrain evil and ultimately protects Israel. In exile this truth is hidden, but redemption reveals that even harsh events were kindness in disguise. Thus Israel praised God even for suffering, and their fear transformed into awe as the left became right.