My father, the Kretchnifer Rebbe shlita (Gilyon Divrei Torah Kretchnif-Yerushalaim 5773) explains this pasuk similarly and cites the Medrash that compares the Avos to vessels made of silver and gold. The more one forges and purifies these vessels, the more beautiful and exquisite they become. So too, the more the Avos were tested and purified, the holier they became. We, however, live in a time which can be compared to vessels made of earthenware. The more one works on such vessels, the more chance there is of them breaking and falling apart.
This means that the Kedushas Levi’s explanation only applied to earlier generations that had the ability to overcome challenges and were able to see the benefit of such tests. We, however, do not have this ability. We are too weak to withstand this process of purification, and we would fall apart from the pressure.
Our mission can be explained by quoting the explanation of the Baal Shem Tov zy”a (quoted in Toldos Yaakov Yosef, Parshas Bo) on the verse in Tehillim (94:1): “Hashem is a G-d of vengeance.” The Besh”t asks: What is the meaning of this pasuk? Why would Hashem take revenge?
He answers with a moshol of a man who rebelled against the king. In return, the king granted him a position of importance above all of his ministers. The king’s intent was that if he would kill him, the man’s pain would be over in a minute. However, if he acts kindly to him, the man would feel guilt and shame for the rest of his life. He would be utterly embarrassed that he could have turned against such a good and kind king. This is the type of “revenge” that Hashem does to His people.
Accordingly, we ask Hashem to be good and kind to us by punishing us with acts of chesed. In this way, we will be moved to repent out of a feeling of shame for having dared to disobey such a kind and merciful King.
