Let us now return to the main point of our discussion, that the matter of gratitude was deeply rooted, connected, and intertwined with the very essence of the redemption from Egypt and its remembrance for generations—

Indeed, we can find another expression of this in the commandment "Do not despise an Egyptian, because you were a stranger in his land" (Deuteronomy 23:8). At first glance, this is quite puzzling: What kind of gratitude is expected from us towards our evil oppressors who cruelly mistreated us for several generations?

Indeed, based on the foundation of our discussion, it can be explained that although, logically and justly, there is no place for gratitude here, nevertheless, in everything related to the Exodus from Egypt and its remembrance, a different principle applies. Since the attribute of gratitude is deeply embedded in the essence of the redemption from Egypt and its remembrance, it becomes incumbent upon us to search diligently in every nook and cranny for even the slightest hint of good received from anyone, and to acknowledge it with gratitude. Therefore, the Torah commanded us to recognize the good from the Egyptians because we were strangers in their land. Although, from the perspective of strict justice, logic, and fairness, there is no place for this at all, nevertheless, in everything related to Egypt—where ingratitude was a fundamental aspect of its nature, and gratitude is a key motif in the redemption from it—we are obligated to acknowledge even the smallest benefit, even something minuscule... In doing so, we achieve the status of 'redeemed from Egypt,' having completely removed from ourselves the burden of its nature and freed ourselves from the bondage of its impurity.

The rectification in this has two aspects: The first is the very distancing from the trait of ingratitude and clinging to its opposite. By striving to recognize even such a slight benefit, we distance ourselves greatly from the evil of ingratitude and cling to the trait of gratitude. The second, deeper aspect is that by acknowledging such subtle good, which requires profound contemplation, we acquire a 'perspective' of those who recognize good, training ourselves to look at all actions around us with 'eyes' that seek and recognize the good inherent in everything, sometimes in its depth and sometimes in its profound depth. Just as we searched and sought for the good aspect in our exile in Egypt and found it in that it allowed us to fulfill the decree of bondage written upon us in the covenant between the parts, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers..." (Genesis 15:13), due to the question of Abraham our forefather, "How can I know that I will inherit it?" (ibid. 8).

This is the foundation and essence of the obligation of gratitude: to seek the good in everything and to 'translate' everything to its good aspect.