Musar do Wyjścia 2:5

We can now understand why it is that when sinners increase among Israel, Heaven forbid, the attribute of judgment specifically brings upon them bloodshed. Thus we find in the Zohar (Parashas Shemos 12a): “And Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe upon the Nile” (Shemos 2:5) — that is, the attribute of judgment went down to bathe in the blood of Israel. “Upon the Nile” — that is, to avenge the disgrace of the Torah [that is likened to water]. However, repentance can avert the entire decree, as Rabbi Yehudah says in the continuation of that passage: Everything in the world depends upon repentance and upon the prayers that human beings offer up to the Holy One Blessed is He, especially if they shed tears while praying, for there is no gate through which tears cannot penetrate. What is meant by the verse, “And she opened it and saw the child” (ibid. 6)? “And she opened” — this refers to the Shechinah, for it opens regularly in the merit of Israel. And once it is open, then, “she saw the child” — this refers to Israel, as is written, “A delightful child” (Yirmeyahu 31:19). “And behold there was a crying youth” — that is, Israel repented and wept before Hashem. “And she had pity upon him.” All the judgments and evil decrees were averted from them and Hashem had mercy upon them. “And she said, This is one of the Hebrew children,” because he had a pliant heart made of flesh. That is, because they were not too obstinate to repent. You should know that on the four turning points of the year a call to repentance goes forth, as I mentioned earlier. Therefore it is an appropriate time to arouse oneself to repentance. This true of the turning point of Tammuz [i.e., the summer solstice], which is more severe than any of the other turning points. How can anyone fail to take this matter to heart and to tremble in anticipation of judgment? Let every person regret his sinful deeds and repent with weeping and supplication! Then, as the prophet has promised, “He will go back and heal him” (Yeshayahu 6:10).