Rashi on the Prophets and Writings

and relate to My people their transgression These are the Torah scholars, whose every inadvertent sin is counted as a transgression, for an error in study is accounted as an intentional sin. and to the house of Jacob their sins These are the ignorant people, whose willful sins, are accounted inadvertent.

Yet they seek Me daily Like the matter that is stated (Ps. 78:36): “And they beguiled Him with their mouth.” and they wish to know My ways They wish to ask instructions of the wise men as if they wished to fulfill them. like a nation that performed righteousness, etc. In this manner they constantly ask Me ordinances of righteousness, but they do not intend to fulfill them, and when they fast and are not answered, they say, “Why have we fasted, and You did not see?” But I say, “Behold, on the day of your fast you pursue business,” all the affairs of your necessities you toil to pursue, even robbery and violence.

and [from] all your debtors Heb. עַצְּבֵיכֶם [lit. your griefs.] Your debtors, who are grieved because of you, you exact payment from them on the day of your fast.

Do not fast like this day like the manner of this day, to break your hearts in order that your voice be heard on high.

Is it to bend Heb. הֲלָכֹף. This ‘hey’ is the interrogative. That is to say, “Perhaps I require bending the head like a fishhook (כְּאַגְמֹן)?” אַגְמֹן is a sort of bent needle with which they catch fish, and they call it ajjm in O.F. Will you call this a fast Heb. הֲלָזֶה. An interrogative form. Therefore, the ‘hey’ is punctuated with a ‘hataf-pattah.’

fetters Heb. חַרְצֻבּוֹת, an expression of tying and binding. perverseness Heb. מוֹטָה, perversion of justice. and all perverseness you shall eliminate Heb. וְכָל מוֹטָה תְּנַתֵּקוּ. Jonathan renders: And all perversion of justice you shall eliminate.

moaning poor Heb. מְרוּדִים. Sighing and moaning about their distress. Comp. (Lam. 3:19) “my affliction and my sighing (וּמְרוּדִי)”; (Ps. 55:3) “I mourn (אָרִיד) in my grief.” and from your flesh And from your kinsman.

as the dawn Like the ray of dawn that breaks through the clouds. and your healing Heb. וַאֲרֻכָתְךָ, and your healing shall quickly sprout. Comp. (Jer. 30:17) “I will bring up healing (אֲרֻכָה) for you.”

And you draw out your soul to the hungry with consolations of good words.

in drought Heb. בְּצַחְצָחוֹת, at the time of thirst and drought. So did Jonathan render. strengthen Heb. יַחֲלִיף [lit. arm.] Comp. (Num. 31:5) “Armed (חֲלוּצֵי) for war.”

restorer of the paths, to dwell in Heb. מְשׁוֹבֵב. Jonathan renders: restorer of the wicked to the Torah. מְשׁוֹבֵב is like מֵשִׁיב, restores. to dwell, to the Torah, which insures the settlement of the world.

the heritage of Jacob your father An inheritance without boundaries, as it is said (Gen. 28: 14): “And you shall spread to the west and to the east, etc.” Not like Abraham, about whom it is stated (ibid. 13:15): “The land that you see...” And Jacob indeed kept the Sabbath, as it is said (ibid. 33: 18): “And he encamped before the city,” i.e., he established the Sabbath limits at twilight. So did Rabbi Samson explain it.