ענן וערפל סביביו צדק ומשפט מכון כסאו – Anan va’arafel Sevivav, tzedek u’mishpat mechon Kiso.
Cloud and dense darkness will surround; righteousness and justice are His Throne’s foundation.
The Malbim quotes Sforno, who explains cloud and dense darkness as entities under the rubric of the laws of nature which obscure Hashem’s constant supervision and guidance of the world. Things happen; events take place which, to the naked eye, appear natural. A massive snowstorm, flooding, tornadoes seem to be driven by nature. We know nature is the guise of anan va’arafel which Hashem employs to conceal His Presence. When Moshiach Tziddkeinu arrives, it will all change; the curtain will be raised, and the clouds and darkness will dissipate, so that the entire world sees the truth. What they had thought was nonsensical, beyond rationale and reason, was actually tzedek u’mishpat, righteousness and justice, which are the foundations of Hashem’s Throne. Nothing just happens. It is all part of the Divine Plan which one day we will be privy to see unfold.
