ישעיהו, פרק נ״ח, פסוק ט׳

The people wonder why their fasts and prayers go unanswered. The prophetic response makes it clear that divine acceptance of prayer is strictly tied to social and moral repair [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. When a person corrects their behavior, they can call out, and God will answer and fulfill their wishes [מצודת דוד, צאינה וראינה]. There are two ways people reach out to God. Some commentators view the dual mention of calling and crying out as simple repetition for emphasis [מצודת דוד]. Others draw a sharp distinction between the two. A standard call represents a routine request made during ordinary times, which God will simply answer. A cry, however, is a desperate plea for salvation born out of deep distress. In these moments, God replies immediately, declaring His presence and readiness to save even before the plea is fully spoken [מלבי״ם].

Earning this immediate divine response requires uprooting evil across three distinct areas of life: thought, action, and speech [מלבי״ם]. The first requirement involves removing the heavy wooden yoke of oppression [מצודת ציון]. The primary approach among commentators is that this refers to ending the exploitation and heavy burdens placed upon the poor and enslaved [מצודת דוד, שד״ל, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, this removal can be understood as an internal process. It requires tearing out negative tendencies from one's own heart and conscience [מלבי״ם], or entirely purging evil from the nation as a whole [אבן עזרא].

The second requirement is to stop hostile gestures, often described as sending forth a finger. The primary approach among commentators understands this as pointing at another person during an argument to express blame, threat, or contempt [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective views this gesture as a symbol of asserting dominance, authority, and arrogance over others [שד״ל]. Other scholars interpret it as a command to avoid causing actual physical harm, such as raising a hand to strike someone or steal their property [אבן עזרא], or even as a strict warning not to move a single finger for any malicious purpose [מלבי״ם].

The final requirement is to eliminate wicked and unfair speech [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Specifically, this means abandoning teasing, provocation, and verbal arguments with others [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].