[Isaiah 54:1–54:10]
“Sing, O one who did not bear children, burst into song, etc.” [54:1]. The prophet said: sing you woman who did not have children. The city of Jerusalem was also in exile, like a woman who was barren and had no children.1Yalkut Shimoni, Isaiah, Remez 476, and in Rashi, Isaiah, 54:1. She did not have morning sickness that comes from having a child. When she wants to have children, she cannot become pregnant. Now, the children will be many in the city that was devastated during the exile, many more children than the nations will have. She is like a woman who has a husband. Jerusalem was like an abandoned wife whose husband was still alive.
“Enlarge the site of your tent” [54:2]. The prophets said to the city of Jerusalem. Make your tent wide and long for your many children. The other cities, in addition to Jerusalem, should also extend the length and breadth of the curtains of your tent and the length of your rope, and strengthen the nails of your tent.2Radak, Isaiah, 54:2.
“For you will spread out to the right and the left” [54:3]. You will strengthen yourself to the south and the north and also to the other sides. Your children will inherit many nations. The cities that were devastated will again be inhabited by Israel.
“Do not fear, you will not be ashamed” [54:4]. Do not fear that you will find troubles in the departure from the exile. You will never be embarrassed forever. Furthermore, you will have so much good that you will forget the disgraces that you suffered in the exile. Also, the disgrace that you were like a widow in the exile will not be remembered.3Radak, Isaiah, 54:4.
“For your maker is your husband” [54:5]. The one who is your master is your Creator and He is your husband. However, in the exile the nations were your husband. Your master, God, Lord of Hosts, is your husband and your Redeemer. The Holy One of Israel is the God of the whole world.
“For like a wife forsaken, etc.” [54:6]. The prophet said: you are not like a wife whose husband has died, but you are like a wife whose husband was angry with her for a time and returned to her. The Holy One called you a forsaken woman. If you want to think that you will be eternally forsaken because he find you undesirable. It is common that when someone has an old wife, she is not so beloved. Therefore, God says, “like the wife of a man’s youth who is cast off” [54:6]. That is to say, one who despises his wife, who he married as a maiden, that is to say, a virgin. She is the same when she has gotten old and he remembers that she is the same one who came to him as a young woman. However, when one takes an old wife, then he may eventually come to despise her.
“For a brief moment I abandoned you” [54:7]. Since much good will be given to you in the days of the Messiah, you will think that the exile was but a blink of the eye. You will be redeemed with great mercy.4Radak, Isaiah, 54:7.
“In overflowing wrath for a moment, I hid my face from you” [54:8]. I was wrathful with you for the blink of an eye. I will always have compassion and mercy for you. So says God, your Redeemer.5Rashi, Isaiah, 54:8.
“This is like the days of Noah for Me” [54:9]. The Holy One said: Just like I swore after the Flood to never again bring it to the world. So too, the exile that has been, will not be forever. I have sworn that there should not be a Flood again. Similarly, I will not be angry and will not scold you.
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed” [54:10]. The mountains will be removed in time, but my oath will not depart and will remain forever. So says God, who has compassion for you. The Talmud writes in Sanhedrin, Rabbi Judah said to his son Rabbi Isaac: No person has a joyous heart, except with his first wife, but not with the other wife that he takes. Therefore it says, “for your Maker is your husband” [54:5]. Rabbi Samuel said in the name of Rav: a woman is not wholeheartedly happy, except with the man who married her when she was a virgin.6B. Sanhedrin, 22a–b.