זכריה, פרק י״א, פסוק י״א

A profound historical and spiritual rupture can shatter a nation, yet the sudden collapse of divine protection often serves as a sobering awakening for a select few. When tragedy strikes, the righteous do not view it as a random twist of fate, but rather as the precise unfolding of a divine plan. The breaking of the protective covenant leaves the people exposed, leaving behind only an instrument of destruction [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The exact historical moment when this protective covenant was broken is a matter of discussion. Some trace the rupture back to the death of King Josiah, marking the point when foreign nations began to dominate, mock, and exile the Israelites [רד״ק]. Others point to the death of Zerubbabel [אבן עזרא], or the passing of three key brothers that emboldened enemies to resume their wars against the nation [מצודת דוד]. Taking a broader perspective, this event represents the permanent cancellation of the original covenant. Even though it saw temporary revivals during the eras of the Hasmoneans and Herod, the covenant never regained its original strength [מלבי״ם].

In the aftermath of this devastating break, the stark reality of the situation became undeniably clear [מצודת ציון]. However, this clarity was not grasped by the general public. It was understood only by the most vulnerable and humble members of the nation. The primary approach among commentators is that this select group consists of the righteous, the meek, the wise, and those possessing the holy spirit. These individuals are characterized by their devotion to keeping God's laws and heeding His words [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Alternatively, their devotion is understood as a state of active anticipation; they were the ones carefully watching and waiting to see if the prophet's warnings would actually materialize [אבן עזרא].

Ultimately, as the disaster struck, these faithful individuals reached a profound conclusion. They realized that the unfolding chaos was not a collection of meaningless events, but a direct decree from God. They recognized the tragedy as the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, tracing all the way back to Moses' warnings in the Torah regarding exile [רש״י]. They saw the realization of the very prophets whose words had fallen on deaf ears among the majority of the nation [רד״ק], as well as the specific visions of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah concerning the four empires destined to oppress Israel [מלבי״ם].