Komentaryong Sumisipi para sa Ezekiel 17:13

“My strength and song is God, and He has become my salvation.” He teaches in these verses that the righteous transform the attribute of judgment into mercy, while the wicked transform the attribute of mercy into judgment. This is what is meant by my strength — strength refers to the power and intensity of the attribute of judgment, as it is said O Lord, in Your strength the king rejoices (Psalms 21:2), meaning that even in the attribute of judgment, which is called strength, nevertheless the righteous rejoice in it, for “it is joy for the righteous to do the true judgments of God.” And in Your salvation, referring to the attribute of mercy, “how greatly he exults.”
And song [zimrat] is related to cutting, as in you shall not prune [tizmor] your vineyard, which also indicates the attribute of judgment. Also, the name Yah indicates the attribute of judgment, as explained by Rabbeinu Bachya on the verse For the hand is on the throne of Yah, God will be at war with Amalek (Exodus 17:16). Yet all these elements associated with the attribute of judgment nevertheless became for me salvation — they were transformed for me into mercy and salvation. This is precisely indicated by the addition of the letter vav in vayehi [and He became]. In judgment, the Holy One, blessed be He, shows me kindness — this is measure for measure, because I also bless God for the bad just as I bless Him for the good. And although the Egyptians harmed us and our ancestors, nevertheless I exalt His blessed name above all.
This is what is meant by This is my God and I will glorify Him; the God of my father, and I will exalt Him. My God [Eli] and “God [El]” hint at the attribute of judgment, for “El” is a term of strength and power. Although Rashi explained in Parashat Ki Tisa (34:6) that “El” refers to the attribute of mercy, citing as evidence the verse My God, my God, why have You forsaken me (Psalms 22:2), this proof is not conclusive, for the righteous transform judgment into mercy, therefore he asked that even “El” not forsake him. The primary meaning of the term is one of capability, as in and the mighty [eilei] of the land he took away (Ezekiel 17:13). This is why it says, This is my God — even though He conducts Himself with me according to the attribute of judgment, nevertheless I will glorify Him — I will tell of His beauty and praise. And similarly, the God of my father — though the Egyptians also harmed our ancestors, nevertheless I will exalt Him for this.

[Regarding] Eleimo (אֵלֵימוֹ - to them): [Some interpret this as referring to] the strong ones (ha-chazakim), comparing it to (Ezekiel 17:13) "and he took the mighty (eilei) of the land." However, this is not correct (ve-eineno nakhon). Because "the mighty (eilei) of the land" is used metaphorically [for leaders], in the same manner as "the strong bulls (abbirei) of Bashan" (Psalm 22:13). Also, [the word eil meaning mighty/ram] has a yod (איל) as it is derived from [a root related to] ayil (ram/strength). [Therefore, eleimo here, without the yod, is not referring to 'the mighty ones'].

Your charity is as scarce to the creatures as the mighty mountains because of the deeds of the wicked, and Your judgments come upon the world until the vast deep. Another explanation: Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains The one with whom You wish to deal charitably, You raise up and strengthen like the mighty mountains. אל is an expression of strength, as (in Ezek. 17: 13): “and he has taken away the mighty of (אילי) the land.”

באלם means AMONGST THE MIGHTY, just as (Ezekiel 17:13) “and the mighty of (אילי) the land he took away”; (Psalms 22:20) “O, thou my strength (אילותי) hasten to my help”.

who adjured him by God as is explained in Ezekiel (17:12): “Say now to the rebellious house, etc.” The entire chapter was written regarding Jehoiachin and Zedekiah: (verse 13f.) “took its king and its princes, and brought them to him to Babylon,” refers to Jehoiachin and his company. “And he took of the royal seed and formed a covenant with him,” refers to Zedekiah.

איל is an expression for “strong”, “mighty”, as in (Ezekiel 17:13) “he hath also taken the mighty of (אילי) the land”.Here, too, איל means a ram which has grown strong, i. e. one two years old (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d'Chovah, Chapter 20 6; cf. Rashi on Genesis 31:38).