| "And Jacob lived in Egypt for seventeen years" (Bereshis 47:28). Repentance is miraculous because it uproots inappropriate behavior from reality. However, there are two types of Repentance. The first type refers to someone who has no conflict with the negative impulse. He performs the Commandments perfectly: he learns Torah constantly with heartfelt dedication and fulfills all the Commandments with love. The second type refers to a person who has conflict with the negative impulse. The performance of the Commandments presents him with a great challenge: Torah learning is a struggle for him, and fulfillment of the Commandments fights against his nature.
Which level of Repentance is greater? The second level, wherein Torah study and the fulfillment of the Commandments conflict with his nature, is the higher level of Repentance. As our Sages state, "The reward corresponds to the level of difficulty" (Pirkei Avot 5:23). Thus, the more he struggles with the Divine Service, the greater his reward!
The epitome of Repentance "converts darkness to light." Only the person who must overcome his nature to comply with the Torah study and the fulfillment of the Commandments "converts darkness to light."
When Jacob and his twelve sons lived in Israel, they perfectly fulfilled the Torah and the Commandments. Therefore, HaShem sent them to Egypt, the center of impurity and witchcraft. The depravity of Egyptian society impacted and diminished the spiritual level of the People of Israel. The impurity of their new environment and the brutal slavery in Egypt eroded the great spiritual mastery of the Children of Israel. Jacob's descendants would be relegated to the second level of Repentance, wherein their nature conflicted with spiritual perfection.
Every member of the People of Israel has the potential to succeed in overcoming his nature and "convert darkness to light." He thus elevates himself, the entire Jewish nation, and even the seventy nations of the world.
Strive to overcome your nature by performing Repentance. Elevate yourself, the entire Jewish nation, and the seventy nations of the world! (Based on the Bat Ayin, Parashat Vayechie)
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