TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 4

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1In that day, seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, “We will eat our own food And wear our own clothes; Only let us be called by your name— Take away our disgrace!”

אוְהֶחֱזִיקוּ שֶׁבַע נָשִׁים בְּאִישׁ אֶחָד בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לֵאמֹר לַחְמֵנוּ נֹאכֵל וְשִׂמְלָתֵנוּ נִלְבָּשׁ רַק יִקָּרֵא שִׁמְךָ עָלֵינוּ אֱסֹף חֶרְפָּתֵנוּ׃

2In that day, The radiance of Hashem Will lend beauty and glory, And the splendor of the land [Will give] dignity and majesty, To the survivors of Yisrael.

ba-YOM ha-HU yih-YEH TZE-makh a-do-NAI litz-VEE ul-kha-VOD uf-REE ha-A-retz l'-ga-ON ul-tif-E-ret lif-lay-TAT yis-ra-AYL

בבַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה צֶמַח יְהֹוָה לִצְבִי וּלְכָבוֹד וּפְרִי הָאָרֶץ לְגָאוֹן וּלְתִפְאֶרֶת לִפְלֵיטַת יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

4:2   Dignity and majesty to the survivors of Yisrael

Ramban writes that nowhere in the world would one find a land which is good and bountiful when settled by its people, but desolate when ruled by foreigners. However, this is exactly what Hashem promises regarding the Land of Israel, as it says in Vayikra (26:32), “I will make the land desolate, so that your enemies who settle in it shall be appalled by it.” This guarantees that throughout the ages, Eretz Yisrael will not accept its enemies; it will prosper only for the children of Israel. Today, one can see this blessing fulfilled, as her children have returned home. The land which lay desolate for centuries under foreign rule again flourishes and blooms, giving dignity and majesty to her people.

Ramban (1194-1270)

Wall painting of Ramban in Akko

3And those who remain in Tzion And are left in Yerushalayim— All who are inscribed for life in Yerushalayim— Shall be called holy.

גוְהָיָה הַנִּשְׁאָר בְּצִיּוֹן וְהַנּוֹתָר בִּירוּשָׁלַ ִם קָדוֹשׁ יֵאָמֶר לוֹ כָּל־הַכָּתוּב לַחַיִּים בִּירוּשָׁלָ ִם׃

4When my Lord has washed away The filth of the daughters of Tzion, And from Yerushalayim's midst Has rinsed out her infamy— In a spirit of judgment And in a spirit of purging—

דאִם רָחַץ אֲדֹנָי אֵת צֹאַת בְּנוֹת־צִיּוֹן וְאֶת־דְּמֵי יְרוּשָׁלַ ִם יָדִיחַ מִקִּרְבָּהּ בְּרוּחַ מִשְׁפָּט וּבְרוּחַ בָּעֵר׃

5Hashem will create over the whole shrine and meeting place of Mount Tzion cloud by day and smoke with a glow of flaming fire by night. Indeed, over all the glory shall hang a canopy,

הוּבָרָא יְהֹוָה עַל כָּל־מְכוֹן הַר־צִיּוֹן וְעַל־מִקְרָאֶהָ עָנָן יוֹמָם וְעָשָׁן וְנֹגַהּ אֵשׁ לֶהָבָה לָיְלָה כִּי עַל־כָּל־כָּבוֹד חֻפָּה׃

6which shall serve as a pavilion for shade from heat by day and as a shelter for protection against drenching rain.

ווְסֻכָּה תִּהְיֶה לְצֵל־יוֹמָם מֵחֹרֶב וּלְמַחְסֶה וּלְמִסְתּוֹר מִזֶּרֶם וּמִמָּטָר׃