Komentaryo sa Isaias 57:14: Tze'enah Ure'enah, Rashi & Ibn Ezra

“[The Lord] says: build up, build up a highway, clear a road, remove all obstacles” [57:14]. This means, clean out the road and remove the obstacles. This is the Evil Inclination that makes the person stumble and fall, so that one cannot follow the proper path. The evildoer is full of evil thoughts. The person should not think, how does the Holy One have His thoughts on me, humble, weak person? He does not observe my transgressions, since He is very high in heaven. Similarly, how should the Holy One hear my repentance, because the Holy One is very important and lives in the high heaven? Therefore, the prophet said: “I dwell on high, in holiness, etc.” [57:15]. This means, the Holy One said: I am high, among holy angels in the high heaven, yet at the same time I am also among the people on the earth who consider themselves humble and have a broken heart. Even though they are in the exile and have troubles, they should not think that I do not think of them, but I will not war with them and torment them forever.

And he shall say, “Pave, pave” So will the prophet say in My name to My people, “Pave, pave a paved highway, clear away the evil inclination from your ways.”

ואמר And it will be said. Lit., and shall say the subject, האומר he who will say, הקורא he who will call, or הכרוז the proclamation is to be supplied.²⁰Comp. I. E. on 2:4, Note 5.

remove the obstacle Remove the stones upon which your feet stumble; they are wicked thoughts.