זכריה, פרק י״ד, פסוק ז׳

The future era of redemption is a time of cosmic and historical transformation, a moment when the familiar boundaries of nature, time, light, and darkness blur to make way for new divine leadership. This period unfolds as a singular, continuous span of time, unbroken by the usual progression of morning, noon, and evening [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. It is a unique era designated exclusively for the revelation of God's power and wonders [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. The exact timing of this occurrence remains a mystery known only to God [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ], though once it arrives, all of humanity will clearly recognize it as His designated time [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This era may even span an entire millennium, representing a prolonged period of divine preparation for ultimate salvation [רש״י].

The conditions of this time will be miraculous and paradoxical, characterized as a state that is neither entirely day nor entirely night. The primary approach among commentators divides this phenomenon into physical and spiritual realities. On a physical level, the day of judgment may feature weather so stormy, clouded with fire and brimstone, that the skies are neither brightly lit nor completely dark [אבן עזרא, אברבנאל]. Alternatively, the very natural order of the sun and moon could be abolished, replaced by a constant, unchanging divine light that defies human understanding [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. On a metaphorical level, light and darkness represent grace and strict judgment. The era will be a confusing transition where humanity struggles to determine if unfolding events signal impending good or looming disaster [מצודת דוד]. It represents an intermediate Messianic state, not yet shining with the absolute perfection of the World to Come, but no longer shrouded in the dark oppression of past exiles [רש״י, רד״ק].

This ambiguous state of time is also deeply tied to the ultimate judgment of the nations. Heavenly angels typically sing praises only during the day, but they fall silent when God exacts strict judgment and destroys wicked nations, causing the day to lose its usual spiritual definition. Furthermore, in order for God to simultaneously judge both the nations that worship the sun, who are traditionally judged at night, and those who worship the moon, who are judged by day, reality itself must merge into a timeless mixture [אהבת יהונתן].

This profound transformation culminates in a sudden, unnatural shift. Just as the sun is meant to set and darkness is expected to fall, a brilliant light of divine providence will unexpectedly break forth [אבן עזרא, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם]. The primary approach among commentators views this as a deep metaphor for the process of redemption. The approaching evening symbolizes the peak of distress, destruction, exile, and warfare in Jerusalem. Yet, precisely from within Israel's greatest darkness, God will step forward to battle the nations, and the light of salvation will suddenly radiate, bringing universal recognition of divine goodness [רד״ק, אברבנאל, צאינה וראינה, מצודת דוד]. Just as God illuminated the darkness during the night of the Exodus from Egypt to judge the Israelites favorably and redeem them, a divine light will pierce the evening darkness of this future distress, sealing a favorable judgment for the people of Israel and bringing the ultimate downfall of their enemies [אהבת יהונתן].