ירמיהו, פרק י״ד, פסוק ב׳

A heavy atmosphere of grief and distress blankets the land of Judah and its capital. A severe drought has struck the region, bringing a devastating shortage of food and water [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, שטיינזלץ]. Adding to this natural disaster is the ongoing ruin of the kingdom's cities, creating a double crisis that touches every part of the nation [מלבי״ם]. The entire state of Judah and its people are plunged into a state of deep mourning and destruction.

The impact of this crisis is deeply felt throughout the cities, particularly the fortified ones [רש״י, מלבי״ם]. These strongholds are now ruined, cut off, and completely dried up [מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. The bustling city entrances are completely empty of travelers coming and going, and the elders no longer gather together in these public spaces as they once did [רד״ק].

A deep darkness and loss of beauty have overtaken the land, bringing a profound sense of humiliation [מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. There are different ways to understand this spreading darkness. One perspective suggests that the physical entrances to the cities themselves appear ruined and blackened like the dry earth, reflecting the intense grief over the lack of rain [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Another view focuses on the people of Judah and those who once gathered in public; their faces have grown dark from intense suffering, and they have collapsed to the ground in total despair [רד״ק, שטיינזלץ].

Even Jerusalem, the great capital city, cannot escape this existential lack of water and food. The desperation culminates in a massive, strange, and agonizing scream—a cry so intense that the throats of the people become dry and hoarse [מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. This desperate plea from the residents breaks out from within the city walls and rises all the way up to the heavens [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל].