The ninth plague in Egypt was a terrifying thick darkness described as palpable (Exodus 10:21-22). How thick was this darkness? The Midrash asserts that it was as thick as a dinar (coin).

We’re told that during the three days of darkness, no man could see his brother and no one rose from their place (verse 23).

The Gerrer Rebbe observed that the greatest darkness exists when we don’t see the other and don’t empathize with what they are experiencing in life. When their struggles and pain are obscured from us, we won’t get up to help them.

What often blinds people to the situation of others is the selfish pursuit of materialism. When you put a little silver behind a window, it becomes a mirror and you can only see yourself.

By Rabbi Michael Skobac

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