יחזקאל, פרק ז׳, פסוק ט״ז

Surviving a catastrophic destruction is not a joyful achievement, but rather an experience defined by fear, displacement, and deep sorrow. Those who manage to escape the sword and other fatal blows find themselves scattered in every direction [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Desperate for safety, these refugees flee to the mountains, hoping to find shelter and remain hidden on the high peaks until the enemy armies finally pass by [רד״ק, מנחת שי, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The fragile state of these survivors is compared to doves that naturally live in valleys. Typically, doves gather, build their nests, and make their sounds in the comfort of the lowlands [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. When they are chased from their nests into remote, rugged mountain areas, they are completely out of their element. In the exact same way, the survivors are violently uprooted from their familiar homes and thrust into a harsh, foreign environment [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

In their place of exile, the refugees are consumed by grief. Just as frightened doves make a panicked, trembling noise, the displaced survivors constantly cry out and wail [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, this weeping is not merely a reaction to physical pain or anxiety; it carries a deep undertone of repentance. As they mourn, each individual confesses their own sins, arriving at the clear and painful realization that their personal wrongdoings are what ultimately brought this disaster upon them [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].