איוב, פרק ה׳, פסוק י״ד

A sudden loss of mental clarity can leave even the sharpest minds helpless in the face of obvious realities. When human wisdom collapses, it turns into total blindness. At a basic level, this experience is compared to a physical state where people encounter darkness during the day, forced to grope with their hands to avoid obstacles like a blind person [אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון]. However, the primary approach among commentators is that this does not refer to physical darkness. Instead, it serves as a metaphor for the failure of human intellect, advice, and cleverness. Light represents wisdom, while darkness represents mental confusion. Even in broad daylight, when dealing with clear and simple matters that anyone should understand, the plans of the wise are ruined, and the light of their wisdom turns into pure darkness [רש״י, מצודת דוד].

This imagery emphasizes that even in situations that are usually easy to grasp right away, the minds of these individuals become blind. They wander off course as if walking in the dead of night [מצודת דוד]. Building on this idea, there are two distinct ways a person can lose their sense of direction. In one scenario, God completely removes their ability to think, leaving no possible solution or plan. In a more complex scenario, the solution is clearly present, shining as bright as the midday sun. Yet, the individuals grope like the blind, completely unable to grasp or use the answers right in front of them, until their own plans ultimately turn against them [מלבי״ם].

Taking a different, historical perspective, this loss of sight is also linked directly to the Plague of Darkness in Egypt, unfolding in two distinct stages. The initial phase refers to the first three days of the plague, when normal daylight was taken away. This allowed the Israelites to bury those among them who had died, ensuring the Egyptians could not see or mock them. The second phase, characterized by groping in the dark at noon, points to the final three days of the plague. During this time, the darkness became thick and physical, paralyzing the Egyptians and trapping them in place. This total immobilization allowed the Israelites to freely enter Egyptian homes and search for their belongings without any interference [אלשיך].