What is "Pnei Hashem"?
Rashi citing Menachem: It is an angry face, like "v'Samti
Why does it say "Lehachris me'Eretz Zichram"?
Radak: For Tzadikim, Hashem's eyes and Shemirah are for good. For evildoers, His face is to eradicate their remembrance from the land - "Eten Es Panai ba'Ish ha'Hu v'Hichrati Oso" (Vayikra 20:3).
Malbim: [Hashem's face and Hashgachah are for evil, for evildoers who want] to eradicate the remembrance of Tzadikim from the land.
Tzitz Eliezer (5:22:20, b'Sof, citing the Hafla'ah's father): This is attributed to Shem Havayah, i.e. mercy! If a Rasha had Bi'ah with Ervah and fathered a Mamzer, this is "Me'uvas Lo Yuchal Liskon" (Koheles 1:15) (Chagigah 9a). His shame persists as long as the Mamzer is in the world (Tosfos 9a). If the Rasha repents, Hashem kills the Mamzer amidst mercy, to enable the Teshuvah to be accepted 1 !
Surely the Mamzer sinned in a previous incarnation, and it was decreed that it return to this world. If the Mamzer is blameless, why would Hashem kill him to enable another's Teshuvah to be accepted?! (PF)
