יחזקאל, פרק ל״ו, פסוק י״ד

A profound transformation is promised for the land itself, shifting its very nature from a hostile environment that claims victims into a secure haven of life. This dramatic shift addresses a painful past where the land seemed to consume its inhabitants. The promise of newfound safety is understood in two distinct ways. One perspective views it as an end to natural suffering, ensuring that death and disease will be completely removed from the territory [מלבי״ם]. Another approach views it through a national lens, promising that once the people of Israel return to their homeland, they will never again face annihilation or be wiped out from within its borders [מצודת דוד].

The subsequent assurance that the land will no longer bereave its nation builds upon this theme of survival. This can be understood simply as a repetition, emphasizing the initial promise of physical safety through different words [מצודת דוד]. Conversely, this second statement carries a distinct historical and national weight, serving as a guarantee from God that the people will never again suffer the tragedy of exile [מלבי״ם].

The traditional transmission of this prophecy reveals a subtle interplay between the concepts of bereavement and stumbling. While the spoken tradition focuses on an end to loss and bereavement, the written text hints at the removal of stumbling blocks and failure [מנחת שי, רד״ק]. Ultimately, these two ideas merge into a single, unified vision. Whether viewed as overcoming tragic loss or removing the obstacles that lead to a downfall, both concepts point toward a permanent future free from destruction and annihilation [רד״ק].