"All Who Are Thirsty"/2
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"All Who Are Thirsty"
Exegetical Approaches
Call for Repentance
The chapter constitutes a call to the nation in exile to return to Hashem and His Torah.
Who is being addressed – The prophet addresses his words to the Nation of Israel who suffer in the current exile
"כׇּל צָמֵא לְכוּ לַמַּיִם" – According to this approach, the verse is metaphoric. Water symbolizes Torah, and wine and milk represent its ethical lessons.1 The prophet cries to the people to follow Hashem's Torah and its teachings. After all, they are free ("שִׁבְרוּ בְּלוֹא כֶסֶף") and accessible to all. One might point to verse 3 in support of this understanding. The prophet's words there, "הַטּוּ אׇזְנְכֶם וּלְכוּ אֵלַי שִׁמְעוּ וּתְחִי נַפְשְׁכֶם", provide the interpretation of the analogy of verse 1.
"לָמָּה תִשְׁקְלוּ כֶסֶף בְּלוֹא לֶחֶם" – Rashi and R"Y Kara understand this verse literally, suggesting that it describes the fate of the people in the present, when they do not heed Hashem's word. Due to the situation in exile, they are forced to pay money to their enemies, but get nothing in return. The prophet, thus, exhorts the people to turn back to Hashem, so that they can eat well and be satiated.
"גוֹי לֹא יְדָעוּךָ אֵלֶיךָ יָרוּצוּ" – In this verse the prophet provides an alternative portrait of Israel's relationship with her neighbors, describing what could have been (and what could be in the future) had the people followed Hashem. Instead of Israel serving the nations, the nations would have served Israel.
Scope of the prophecy – This approach can read the entire chapter as comprising one prophecy. Verses 6-7 continue the exhortation to repent, while the rest of the chapter sends a message of encouragement, that if the people do confess and change, Hashem will accept them and redeem them from exile.
Call to Conversion
Hashem invites the Gentiles to recognize Hashem and learn His Torah.
Who is being addressed – The prophet's message is aimed at the foreign nations in the Messianic era.
"הוֹי כׇּל צָמֵא לְכוּ לַמַּיִם"
Promise of Prosperity
Hashem promises the nation success and prosperity in Messianic Times.
Sources:Shadal
