יחזקאל, פרק ל״ג, פסוק ל״ב

A prophet's profound moral warnings are sometimes tragically reduced to mere entertainment. Instead of receiving the message as a binding rebuke, the people treat the prophet's words as an aesthetic experience. They gather to listen, but their attitude is that of an audience attending a performance rather than a nation receiving serious instruction.

Commentators offer different perspectives on how the crowd perceives this performance. Some explain that the people view the message as a song of lust and amusement [רד״ק], or as a mocking tune delivered with exceptionally clear and polished rhetoric [מצודת דוד]. Another approach connects the underlying imagery to the playing of flutes [רש״י, רד״ק]. Through this lens, the prophet is compared to a talented artist who seamlessly combines a beautiful singing voice with skilled instrumental accompaniment [מלבי״ם].

Just as an audience enjoys a gifted musician, the people are drawn to the pleasant rhetoric, poetic language, and beautiful sound of the prophet's delivery. They are captivated by the presentation, treating it as an enjoyable show that captures the heart [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. However, this aesthetic appreciation results in a complete lack of practical action. They hear the words, but the experience reaches only their ears [מצודת דוד]. Because they view the prophet's message as a piece of art rather than a strict command or warning, they feel absolutely no obligation to change their behavior or fulfill the instructions [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ].