יואל, פרק ב׳, פסוק י׳

A day of profound disaster brings a deep shock that encompasses all of creation, from the ground below to the skies above, creating an atmosphere of intense anxiety and trembling [מצודת ציון]. The primary approach among commentators is that this cosmic upheaval is an allegory meant to illustrate the immense sorrow and distress about to strike the world [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The trembling ground is not literal dirt and stone, but rather a representation of the terrified people inhabiting the earth. Similarly, the darkening of the sun and moon reflects the deep sense of despair and emotional darkness overwhelming those caught in the crisis [אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון]. Adding to this emotional landscape, the heavens themselves are seen as quaking in sympathy, participating in the tragedy that has fallen upon Israel [רש״י].

A contrasting perspective views this upheaval as a complete suspension of the laws of nature. Rather than operating under the standard rules of creation, the universe is being directed by the direct providence of God. The natural order is entirely uprooted, causing the earth to shake first. This initial shock causes the heavens to quake with even greater force, symbolizing that the normal influence of the heavenly bodies has been completely canceled [מלבי״ם].

Yet another approach offers a highly physical explanation, linking the darkness and trembling directly to the arrival of a massive locust swarm. Millions of these insects fly together in such dense concentration that they form a heavy, black cloud. As this swarm approaches from a distance, it physically blocks out the sky, plunging the daylight into darkness and obscuring the sun and moon [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This total darkness is so absolute that the stars appear to withdraw their shine entirely. They seemingly pull their glow inward, gathering their light into themselves so that their radiance vanishes and no longer reaches the world below.