As a loyal servant in the presence of his masters, I would like to embellish their sacred words. It is written in parshas Beshalach (Shemos 14, 10): "ופרעה הקריב וישאו בני ישראל את עיניהם והנה מצרים נוסע אחריהם וייראו מאוד ויצעקו בני ישראל אל ה'"—and Pharaoh drew near; Bnei Yisrael raised their eyes and behold! —Mitzrayim was pursuing them, and they were very frightened; Bnei Yisrael cried out to Hashem. They expounded in the Midrash (S.R. 21, 5):
What does “and Pharaoh drew near” mean? Rather, he drew Yisrael nearer to the teshuvah that they performed. Rabbi Berechiah said: Pharaoh’s drawing near was more effective for Yisrael than one hundred fasts and prayers. Why? Because when they (the Egyptians) pursued them and they (Yisrael) saw them, they were extremely afraid, and they raised their eyes to Heaven, and repented (performed teshuvah), and prayed, as it is stated: “The children of Israel cried out to Hashem.”
This Midrash teaches us that HKB”H used Pharaoh to return Yisrael via sincere, total teshuvah. Subsequently, He caused Pharaoh’s catastrophic downfall with the splitting of the Yam Suf, as it is written (ibid. 15, 4): מרכבות פרעה וחילו ירה בים ומבחר שלשיו טבעו בים סוף" —Pharaoh’s chariots and army He threw in the sea, and the pick of his officers drowned in Yam Suf. Thus, we see that His name was sanctified by the wicked Pharaoh twice—first when he drew Yisrael nearer to teshuvah, and a second time when HKB”H caused his and the Egyptians’ catastrophic downfall, which sanctified the name of Heaven throughout the entire world. As it is written (ibid. 15): "אז נבהלו אלופי אדום אילי מואב יאחזמו רעד נמוגו כל יושבי כנען"— then the chieftains of Edom were confounded, trembling gripped the powers of Moab, all the inhabitants of Cana’an dissolved.
We find a similar situation with the wicked Haman, who issued a malicious decree against all Yisrael. He was totally unaware of the fact that HKB”H used him to inspire Yisrael to perform the most sincere, effective teshuvah they had ever performed. In the words of the Gemara (Megillah 14a): "גדולה הסרת טבעת יותר מארבעים ושמונה נביאים ושבע נביאות שנתנבאו להן לישראל, שכולם לא החזירום למוטב, ואילו הסרת טבעת החזירתן למוטב". The removal of the ring (that Achashveirosh removed from his hand and gave to Haman) had a greater impact than forty-eight prophets and seven female prophets that prophesied for Yisrael. For, they all failed to return them to the good (the path of righteousness); whereas, the removal of the ring returned them to the good.
This is truly amazing and incredible! HKB”H orchestrated the return of Yisrael via teshuvah through Haman HaRasha. That teshuvah was more effective than anything accomplished by all of Yisrael’s neviim and Nevios. After fulfilling his role and usefulness, HKB”H brought about his dramatic downfall; he and his sons were hung from a fifty-cubit high tree. Once again, the name of Heaven was sanctified twice. Once when he inadvertently triggered Yisrael’s teshuvah, and a second time when HKB”H brought about his dramatic downfall.
Thus, we see that the enlightening statement of the Tanna: “Everything HKB”H created in His world, He created solely for His glory”—encompasses all of these scenarios. For, even the nations of the world play a role in returning Yisrael to their Heavenly Father by means of teshuvah, as indicated by the elucidation: »לתשובה ישראל את שהקריב ,הקריב ופרעה«. Then, after fulfilling their role, HKB”H exacts His revenge from them; that sanctifies the name of Heaven a second time.
In the writings of our teacher, the Arizal, he expresses this as follows: "והקליפה בעצמה היא רצועה של מלקות לייסר הרשע"— the klipah itself is a strap used for lashes to afflict the wicked. The source for this notion is found in the Tikunei Zohar (Tikun 30). It refers to the fear of punishment as: יראה רעה רצועה לאלקאה לחייביא»«—a strap to administer lashes to sinners. For, as we have learned, the sole purpose for their creation is to stimulate Yisrael to perform teshuvah. After fulfilling this role, they receive their lashes from midas hadin bringing about their total, deserved downfall.
