ישעיהו, פרק מ״ג, פסוק ו׳

The promise of gathering the scattered exiles takes on a cosmic dimension as God calls upon the forces of nature and the nations of the world to release the Israelites from every corner of the globe. Even though only the north and the south are explicitly mentioned, the intent is a complete and comprehensive return from all directions [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, צאינה וראינה]. The primary approach among commentators is that God commands the winds to actively assist in bringing the people back to the Land of Israel [רש״י, מצודת דוד, צאינה וראינה]. This can be understood as a metaphor for the speed of the gathering, or as a literal instruction for the winds to propel the ships of the exiles [ביאור שטיינזלץ] and even carry them through the air [רד״ק]. Alternatively, this call is directed not at the winds, but directly at the nations and inhabitants of those distant lands [רד״ק].

God issues distinct instructions to the north and the south, reflecting different challenges in the return process. According to one perspective, this difference is rooted in geography and politics. The exiles in the north are trapped and enclosed by mountains, requiring an active rescue effort. Therefore, the north is commanded to actively hand them over. In contrast, the south lacks these natural barriers and faces only interference from other nations, so the instruction is simply not to hold the people back [מלבי״ם]. Another perspective bases this difference on the nature of the winds themselves. The north wind is considered weak and requires urging and strength to push the exiles forward. The south wind, however, is naturally powerful, so God merely commands it not to stop its fierce blowing [רש״י].

The specific call to bring back both sons and daughters emphasizes that men and women alike will return, pointing to a gentle and compassionate leadership that accommodates the needs of women and children [רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. This divine guarantee also provides a profound historical insight. Because God removed every external obstacle to the return, the fact that some did not go back to the Land of Israel was entirely a matter of their own free will. The path was completely open, and no one prevented them from leaving [שד״ל].

On a deeper spiritual level, this gathering is also a promise of physical and spiritual abundance. The north symbolizes the divine attribute of strict justice, which sometimes holds back the blessings a person requests based on their actions, keeping them stored away as a deposit. In the ultimate future, God will instruct justice to release all the stored good to the righteous. Meanwhile, the south represents the attribute of loving-kindness, and it is commanded never to withhold mercy from those who ask for it [חומת אנך].