עֵֽינֵי־כֹ֭ל אֵלֶ֣יךָ יְשַׂבֵּ֑רוּ וְאַתָּ֤ה נֽוֹתֵן־לָהֶ֖ם אֶת־אָכְלָ֣ם בְּעִתּֽוֹ׃
די אױגן פֿון אַלעמען קוקן אױס אױף דיר, און דו גיסט זײ זײער עסן אין זײַן צײַט.
Depths of Yonah
Abarbanel
Abarbanel already posed this question noting that animals are obviously incapable of Teshuvah and therefore making them fast is simply an act of cruelty. Abarbanel offers a surprisingly mystical type of an answer83The Abarbanel is, generally speaking, a Rambam inspired rationally inclined commentator. Mystical approaches are hardly a hallmark of his writings. . He notes that the Pasuk (Tehillim 145:15) praises Hashem as saying “Einei Chol Eilecha YeSabeirun,” “the eyes of all creatures look to Hashem for sustenance.” We can understand the Tefilah we recite during the mornings of Shabbat and Yom Tov “Nishmat Kol Chai Tevareich Et Shimcha,” “the soul of each living being blesses your Name,” as expressing a similar idea.
Abarbanel already posed this question noting that animals are obviously incapable of Teshuvah and therefore making them fast is simply an act of cruelty. Abarbanel offers a surprisingly mystical type of an answer83The Abarbanel is, generally speaking, a Rambam inspired rationally inclined commentator. Mystical approaches are hardly a hallmark of his writings. . He notes that the Pasuk (Tehillim 145:15) praises Hashem as saying “Einei Chol Eilecha YeSabeirun,” “the eyes of all creatures look to Hashem for sustenance.” We can understand the Tefilah we recite during the mornings of Shabbat and Yom Tov “Nishmat Kol Chai Tevareich Et Shimcha,” “the soul of each living being blesses your Name,” as expressing a similar idea.
Ibn Ezra
"Would you tarry for them?": The final nun (נ) replaces a mem (מ), and it contrasts with "for it grieves me much for your sakes." The phrase "they came to Bethlehem" shows that "tarry for them" is connected to the letter lamed (ל) or the word "el" (אֶל), similar to "the eyes of all wait upon you" (Psalms 145:15).
Ibn Ezra
"Open" - and the "you" that's written in the prior verse (Psalm 145:15) is also here, thus [the verse should read] "and You open Your hand," and thus: because the God of my father is my help.