שופטים, פרק י׳, פסוק ט״ז

When a nation reaches its lowest point and decides to change course, taking practical steps toward repentance triggers a profound shift in the spiritual reality. True transformation requires two essential components. First, there must be a turning away from evil, demonstrated by the Israelites abandoning their foreign gods. Second, there must be an active pursuit of good, shown by their renewed commitment to serving God [אברבנאל].

Following this genuine change in behavior, a dramatic emotional shift occurs in response to the misery of the Israelites. Describing this reaction presents a theological challenge, as it seemingly attributes human emotions to God. The primary approach among commentators explains that the Torah uses human language to convey the immense depth of God's mercy. According to this view, God simply could no longer bear to watch the people suffer. It was as if there was no more room to contain the sorrow over their agony, and He could not tolerate seeing them in pain any longer [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Another perspective understands this description as a change in divine will rather than an expression of emotion. Initially, God intended to increase their hardships because of their extensive sins. However, once the people repented, His desire to punish them ceased. He decided to cut their suffering short, ensuring that their enemies would not advance any further or inflict more damage [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

In contrast, some interpret this limitation of divine will in the opposite manner. According to this view, it was God's desire to grant a complete and total salvation that was restricted. Because the Israelites had repeatedly exhausted God with endless cycles of sin, or because they had previously chosen a path of falsehood and idolatry, the deliverance they received was limited rather than absolute [רלב״ג].

A unique approach resolves the theological difficulty entirely by shifting the focus away from God and placing it on the people. In this reading, the overwhelming grief and impatience do not belong to God, but to the Israelites themselves. Heaven's mercy was ultimately awakened by a combination of three distinct factors: the people removed their foreign gods, they committed to serving God again, and their own spirits had finally broken under the crushing weight of their enslavement and suffering [אברבנאל].