ישעיהו, פרק מ״ט, פסוק כ׳

A dramatic future reversal awaits the nation of Israel. Long feeling like a lonely, bereaved mother who has lost all her offspring, the nation will suddenly be surprised by the overwhelming sound of her lost children returning from exile in massive numbers. The influx of these returning masses will be so immense that the land will become incredibly crowded, leading people to express frustration over the severe lack of space.

The primary approach among commentators views this crowding as a practical issue leading to a conversation between the returning individuals. As the multitudes press together, a person will ask his neighbor to step back and move further away, creating just enough room for him to sit down as well [שד״ל, אבן עזרא]. Others disagree with this interpretation, noting that the specific language of the request implies coming closer, not moving away. Therefore, the plea for space is not directed at a neighbor, but at the Land of Israel itself. The returning exiles, forced to stand outside the borders because the country simply cannot hold them all, will ask the land to approach them and expand its borders outward so they can finally settle within it [מלבי״ם].

Beyond the physical logistics of the crowding, there is a miraculous and spiritual dimension to this future gathering. The entire land will be filled with the holiness of God's presence, mirroring the sacred space of the Temple courtyard. In the days of the Temple, a well-known miracle occurred: the people stood tightly packed, but when they lowered themselves to bow, the space miraculously expanded. Similarly, the solution to the future crowding lies in humility. When the people sit and lower themselves, the physical space will automatically expand to accommodate everyone [אהבת יהונתן].

This profound lack of space will not be limited to Israel, but will also be deeply felt by the other nations of the world. Those nations, who once proudly boasted of their greatness, will now quietly whisper to Israel about their own distress. They will realize that they no longer have any place in the world unless they invite someone from Israel to sit beside them. Only through the merit of the people of Israel will the space in the world expand to include the other nations [צוארי שלל].