יחזקאל, פרק כ״ג, פסוק כ״א

A sharp rebuke is directed at the Israelites for regressing to the corrupt practices of their distant past, long before they transitioned from slavery to freedom. The primary approach among commentators is that the nation actively remembered and embraced the deep heresies and sinful behaviors of its early history prior to the Exodus. Instead of moving forward, the Israelites clung anew to these ancient flaws [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].

To convey the depth of this spiritual betrayal, the prophet employs blunt physical imagery. The actions described evoke the physical pressing and squeezing of an intimate embrace, representing a willing and passionate engagement with sin [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The memory of their youthful days in Egypt remains enticing to the nation, sparking a renewed desire to engage in spiritual infidelity and lewdness [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Through this graphic metaphor, the prophet makes it clear that the people have reverted to their original idolatry. By choosing to worship the gods of Egypt once more, the Israelites allowed themselves to be pulled back into the deeply ingrained, destructive habits of their origins [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].