מדרש אויף יחזקאל 5:5

Rabbi Huna interpreted the verse regarding the kingdoms.²⁷The kingdoms within which the Jewish people are scattered in exile. Just as a lily, when it is situated among the thorns, a north wind emerges, tilts it northward, and the thorn pierces it, but, nevertheless, its stalk is directed upward; so, too, Israel, even though taxes and levies are collected from them, their heart is directed toward their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward God” (Psalms 25:15).
Rabbi Aivu interpreted the verse regarding the future redemption.²⁸Literally, tomorrow’s redemption. Just as this lily, when it is situated among the thorns, it is difficult for its owner to pluck it; what does he do? He brings fire and burns [the thorns] around it and then plucks it. So too, “The Lord has commanded concerning Jacob that those that surround him should be his adversaries” (Lamentations 1:17), like Ḥalamish to Naveh, Jericho to No’aron, Susitan to Tiberias, Kastra to Haifa, Lod to Ono.²⁹All of these were gentile cities that were adjacent to Jewish cities. That is what is written: “This is Jerusalem, in the midst of the nations I have situated it” (Ezekiel 5:5). In the future, when the end of days will arrive, what will the Holy One blessed be He do? He will bring fire and burn around it. That is what is written: “Peoples will be burnings of lime, [cut thorns ignited with fire]” (Isaiah 33:12). What is written there? “The Lord alone will lead him [and there is no foreign god with Him]” (Deuteronomy 32:12).³⁰There will no longer be peoples who engage in idol worship (Onkelos).

Rabbi Yudan interpreted the verse regarding the High Priest upon his entrance into the Holy of Holies.¹²He interpreted the verse “for with stratagems you shall wage war for yourself” as alluding to the bundles [ḥavilot] of mitzvot that the High Priest would have when he entered the Holy of Holies. He has bundles upon bundles of mitzvot accompanying him. With the merit of the Torah, “this is [vezot] the Torah” (Deuteronomy 4:44); with the merit of circumcision, “this is [zot] My covenant” (Genesis 17:10); with the merit of Shabbat, “happy is the person who performs this…[who keeps the sabbath from its desecration]” (Isaiah 56:2); with the merit of Jerusalem, “this is [zot] Jerusalem” (Ezekiel 5:5); with the merit of the tribes, “this is [vezot] what their father spoke to them” (Genesis 49:28); with the merit of Judah, “this is [vezot] for Judah” (Deuteronomy 33:7); with the merit of Israel, “this [zot], your stature” (Song of Songs 7:8);¹³Song of Songs depicts the relationship of a woman and her lover, a metaphor for the relationship between Israel and God. This verse refers to the woman, to Israel. with the merit of contributions, “this is [vezot] the contribution” (Exodus 25:3); with the merit of the tithes, “[bring all the tithes to the storehouses…] test me now with this [bazot]” (Malachi 3:10); with the merit of the offerings, “with this [bezot] Aaron shall come, […with a young bull as a sin offering, and a ram as a burnt offering].”

Rabbi Ḥanina son of Rabbi Abba interpreted the verse regarding the kingdoms. Just as the lily, when it is situated among the thorns, a north wind comes and bends it southward and the thorn pricks it, a south wind comes and bends it northward and the thorn pricks it, but, nevertheless, its core is directed upward, so it is with Israel. Even though they are forced to pay levies and engage in forced labor, their hearts are directed toward their Father in Heaven. What is the source? “My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He draws my feet out of the net” (Psalms 25:15).
Rabbi Aivu interpreted the verse regarding the future redemption. Just as the lily, when it is situated among the thorns, it is difficult for its owner to pick it, and what do they do? They bring fire and they burn around it and then pick it, so too, “the Lord has commanded for Jacob that his besiegers surround him” (Lamentations 1:17), e.g., Ḥalamish for Naveh, Jericho for Naaran, Susita for Tiberias, Gastera for Haifa, Lod for Ono.⁸In each of these pairs of cities that were situated close to each other, the first was populated by wicked gentiles who would persecute the Jews who lived in the second (Etz Yosef). That is what is written: “This is Jerusalem, I have placed it in the midst of the nations” (Ezekiel 5:5). In the future, when the end of days will come, what will the Holy One blessed be He do? He will bring fire and burn around it. That is what is written: “The peoples will be burnings of lime” (Isaiah 33:12). What is written of them [Israel]? “The Lord will guide them alone” (Deuteronomy 32:12).