We can learn several other lessons from Adam HaRishon's story. One is that his fright was unfounded. He thought that the sun setting meant the world was coming to an end, but it wasn't true. It was a mistaken panic. And yet, when he discovered that the sun’s setting is part of the daily cycle of the world, he brought a korban todah to thank Hashem for his salvation. We learn from this that we should thank Hashem when we are saved from something we feared and even when the fear wasn't a reality. Yidden in Eretz Yisrael, and actually, in the entire world, are living in difficult times, and sometimes the fears are products of the imagination. Nevertheless, when we discover that there was nothing to fear, we should praise Hashem.
The Midrash (Bereishis Rabba 11) says, "The light of creation shone for thirty-six hours. Twelve hours of erev Shabbos, twelve hours of Shabbos night, and twelve hours of Shabbos day, and when the sun set on motzei Shabbos, it become dark. Adam HaRishon was afraid, as it states (Tehillim 139:11) בעדני אור ולילה ישופני חשך אך ואמר, 'I said, "Darkness will darken me, and the night will be as light about me."' So, Hashem provided him with two stones. He banged them together, and a spark and fire came out. When he saw the fire, he rejoiced and formulated the brachah of האש מאורי בורא."
From this addition to the story, we learn that even during times of darkness, praise Hashem for the moments of joy. A spark of light in the middle of the night is a reason to praise Hashem.
Another lesson is that Adam, at this time, felt bad because of his sin. He took two stones, and fire came forth. This teaches us that even when you feel low and upset with yourself because of your faults and mistakes, be aware that a holy fire of kedushah can yet emerge from your deeds. There is no reason to despair.
...like the sun, as it states עינים מאירת, 'enlightening the eyes.' So, the sun reminds us of Hashem's endless greatness, and the sun reminds us of the bright light that's in the Torah. There are other essential lessons that one can learn from the sun.
One is that after the sun sets, it rises again. The Chofetz Chaim zt'l says that this reminds us that hard times will be followed by good times. The Chofetz Chaim bases his lesson on the following Gemara (Avodah Zarah 8.): "The day Adam HaRishon was created, he saw the sun set and said, 'Oy! Because of my sin the world will become dark and return to be ובהו תהו, nothingness. This is my death sentence that was decreed on me.' He sat [in a fast], and he cried all night long, and Chavah cried opposite him. When the morning came, he said, 'It is the way of the world (הוא עולם של מנהגו), and he sacrificed an ox [as a korban todah]."
The Chofetz Chaim zt'l repeated this Gemara during the chaotic times and upheavals caused by World War One. He expressed that the next night, when Adam saw the sun set, he wasn't afraid. He knew that this was the way of the world. The sun sets, and then rises again. The Chofetz Chaim explained that people shouldn't lose hope due to the turmoil of the times. There have been hard times for Klal Yisrael in the past, but the sun shone for them in the end, and good times followed.
This lesson is very applicable to our times. Some people worry, "What will be the future of Bnei Yisrael?" We are encouraged by the knowledge that there were dark times in our past, but in the end, the sun shone, and it became good for Bnei Yisrael.
The Chasam Sofer zt'l (Toras Moshe, Chayei Sarah ויגוע ה"ד) discusses another message that we can learn from the sun. The sun teaches us that one only appreciates light and goodness when preceded by darkness. The Zohar (Tazria 47:) states, "If it weren't for darkness, one wouldn't appreciate the good of light." The same applies to the good of wealth or health and all other good aspects of life. One only appreciates them when he knows of the opposite.
The Chasam Sofer elaborates: Iyov's wife told Iyov that he should 'bless' Hashem due to the yesurim he suffered. Iyov replied (Iyov 2:10) נקבל הטוב את גם נקבל לא הרע ואת האלקים מאת, "Shall we also accept the good from Hashem, and not accept the bad?" The Chasam Sofer explains that Iyov explained to his wife that the yesurim are for his benefit because afterwards when the yesurim leave, he will properly appreciate the good. The Chasam Sofer explains, "A person who was wealthy his entire life will not recognize the goodness of wealth. Only a poor person who became wealthy can know the preciousness of being wealthy..."
This is an encouraging idea to think of when going through hard times. It is precisely because of these difficulties that we will adequately appreciate the salvation when it comes.
The Gemara (Bava Basra 16:) states, "A precious stone hung from Avraham Avinu's neck. When an ill person saw it, he was healed immediately. After Avraham Avinu's petirah, Hashem placed the stone in the sun." The Chasam Sofer explains this Gemara metaphorically. Avraham appreciated his wealth and good health because he had once been poor and ill. When ill or poor people saw Avraham, their hearts filled with hope. They understood that their future could turn around, and then they would truly appreciate the wealth and health they would receive. When Avraham was niftar, they didn't have a live person to teach them this lesson, but the lesson was seen in the sun. The sun taught them that the only way to appreciate light is through the darkness that preceded it.
