The ninth of the ten plagues was the plague of darkness: “And God said to Moses: stretch forth your hand towards to heavens and there will be darkness upon the land of Egypt and the darkness will be tangible” (Exodus 10:21). Rashi explains the darkness as being one more than just the dark of night, it was a type of darkness that could be “felt.”
The Torah continues by stating: “No man could see his brother nor could anyone get up from his place for a three day period” (Exodus 10:23). Rashi explains that if someone was standing they could not sit down and if someone was sitting they could not stand up.
The ten plagues can be understood on many different levels and their relevance applies to each person in each generation. In psychological terms darkness represents the idea of depression fed by despair and lack of purpose. Everyone experiences depression in some degree, but for those who wrestle with long bouts of depression the Torah description is quite real, darkness is a real plague.
Depression leads to one feeling so alone, as if no one cares about him and he cares about no one else, until “no one could see their brother.” An even more intense manifestation of depression is when one is completely sunk in the abyss and is unable to move, neither physically or emotionally, until one cannot “get up from his place.”
Rebbe Nachman explains that even more than wanting to tempt man to sin, the evil inclination seeks the depression that comes after the sin. Everyone makes mistakes and does things they later regret. The weight of guilt and inadequacy if not addressed can become a burden to heavy to carry. Yet the possibility of teshuvah, true repentance and return to God and one’s pure self, can cure the after affects of sin and missing the mark in life. But, if one begins to wallow in the pain and refuses to take advantage of the healing affects of teshuvah, depression and despair often follow.
Coming out of Egypt on a national and personal level entails meeting the darkness head-on and returning to the light, as it states in the continuation of the above verses: “but for all the children of Israel there was light in their dwellings.” Despite the slavery, oppression and darkness all around them they held on to the light and the hope of salvation. Frustration and sadness only become depression when one gives up and feels there is no real hope.
Similar to the plague of darkness coming right before the redemption from Egypt, so too the darkest hour is always right before the dawn. Knowing that and never giving up are the greatest antidotes against the evil inclination’s secret weapon of depression.
