איוב, פרק י״א, פסוק ט״ז

When a person endures a prolonged period of severe suffering, the arrival of salvation brings more than just relief. The pain itself undergoes a profound transformation, shifting from a sharp reality into a distant, faded memory that entirely loses its sting. A deep shift in consciousness takes place, where an abundance of goodness washes away the sorrow of the past, leaving behind only the faintest trace.

The primary approach among commentators is that this past hardship refers to intense troubles and agony [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ], or the lingering fear of punishment for past sins [תקות אנוש]. Because of the overwhelming good that eventually arrives, these troubles simply vanish from a person's thoughts. This passing of pain is compared to water flowing down a stream, moving onward and never returning [רש״י, רמב״ן]. Just as rushing water quickly disappears from sight and mind, so too will fear and pain be entirely wiped away [תקות אנוש]. What remains is nothing more than a dim, fleeting impression in the mind, much like the faint marks left behind by water that has long since dried up [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

While this imagery highlights how completely suffering fades, another perspective finds deeper meaning in the memory that remains, comparing the hardship to heavy rains or a sudden flood. During a downpour, a person feels distress and difficulty. However, once the waters recede, they rejoice in the flourishing crops and the newly enriched soil left in their wake [אלשיך]. This process ultimately points to the true essence of a person, which is the spiritual soul. Hardships are designed to purify this inner self. Once a person is freed from physical limitations, they forget the physical sorrow of the body. Instead, they remember their past suffering in a positive light, fully understanding that these very challenges enriched their soul and prepared it to receive its ultimate reward in the eternal world [מלבי״ם].