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This philosophical question (along with its very real and existential emotions) has a number of possible reconciliations. I would like to present a particular direction here which I feel also serves as an apt conclusion to this series.
The Seforno (on Devarim 31) explains that the concept of Hester Panim (Hashem withdrawing his Providence from us) does not mean that Hashem makes Himself blind and impotent. In fact, Hashem is ever-present and omnipotent. So what then is hester panim? Although Hashem chooses to "take a step back" and allow people and nature to take their course; He nevertheless presides over all, watching carefully, with the ability to reverse His hester panim and intervene at any given time. This might explain the well-known idea that the Egyptian slavery was cut short from 400 years to 210 because of the severity of their conditions. Hashem had established at Brit ben ha-Betarim (Breshit 15) that we would be slaves for 400 years – essentially relinquishing control of us to the Egyptians. Yet when the bondage became unbearable and we cried out to Him, Hashem intervened and redeemed us. Thus the frightening aspect of Hashem not being in control has been neutralized.
This concept is taken one step further by the Abarbanel's commentary on a verse in the Shiv'a de-Nechmta relating to the exile and the redemption: בְּרֶגַע קָטֹן עֲזַבְתִּיךְ; וּבְרַחֲמִים גְּדֹלִים אֲקַבְּצֵךְ. בְּשֶׁצֶף קֶצֶף הִסְתַּרְתִּי פָנַי רֶגַע מִמֵּךְ, וּבְחֶסֶד עוֹלָם רִחַמְתִּיךְ אָמַר גֹּאֲלֵךְ, ה'. – I have abandoned you in a small moment and with great mercy I will gather you in. With anger I hid My face from you for a moment..." (Is 54:7). Abarbanel takes the word רֶגַע (moment) and reads it as רֹגַָע (calm, relaxed) thus rendering the verse to mean: "I have left you with little calm … I have hidden the face of calmness from you". The resultant meaning of the verse is that Hashem Himself actively put us as a nation into a state of unrest and lack of calm by sending us into exile. The Abarbanel seems to concur with Seforno that Hashem can actively place us into a state of hester panim and can similarly return us to his Providence. The tremendous implication is that being in exile is tantamount to hester panim!
Life in the Land of Israel is intimately bound with Hashem's protective gaze: "ארץ אשר תמיד עיני ה' אלוקיך בה – The Land on which Hashem's eyes are constantly focused" (Devarim 11:12). This is a land where life is sometimes tenuous and often seems to hang by a thread – which leads us to rely heavily on the Divine protection and Providence. Life in the Diaspora on the other hand is bereft of this intimate relationship with Hashem. In the words of the Gemara "He who lives in Israel is like one who has a God and he who lives in the diaspora is like one who has no God" (Ketubot 110b). The mere act of leaving the land is a transition into a new reality of hester panim.
Thus we can reconcile Yeshayahu's seemingly contradictory statements: The destruction and exile were conscious, active decisions of Hashem – the result of which was a state of hester panim for the nation while in exile. Those who choose to come and live in the Land today and fulfill the prophecies of yore – merit to return to the ever-present, protective gaze of Hashem Himself.
Rabbi Hillel Maizels
The Rabbi of Kehillat Ohel Efraim in the city of Ariel of "Bet Shalom" Shul in the Ariel University.
The Seven Weeks of Condolence Hester Panim, Exile and Redeption
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 6
The Seven Weeks of Condolence Kibutz Galuyot and Self Hatred
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 2
The Seven Weeks of Condolence Rebuilding Jerusalem
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 3
The Seven Weeks of Condolence God's Punishment and Comfort are our Support
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 4
The Seven Weeks of Condolence Kibutz Galuyot and Self Hatred
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 2
The Seven Weeks of Condolence God's Punishment and Comfort are our Support
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 4
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D'varim EXCUSES ARE RUNNING OUT
p. Dvarim, Shabbat Chazon, Tisha b'Av
p. Dvarim, Shabbat Chazon, Tisha b'Av
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
