How do the roads mourn?
Rashbam: Vegetables grow on them, for people do not go on them to the Regel.
Why does it say "Avelos" (feminine)?
Ibn Ezra: Derech can be masculine or feminine, like 'Bayis' and 'Makom'.
Who are "Ba'ei Mo'ed"?
Rav Sadya Gaon, Rashi: They are Olei Regalim.
Ibn Ezra: Mo'ed is the Mikdash (Rashbam - Hashem's Ohel Mo'ed). It is called Mo'ed, for all of Yisrael were No'adim (summonsed) to there. This is like "b'Kerev Mo'adecha" (Tehilim 74:4).
What is the significance of the gates being desolate?
Eichah Rabah 1:30: People used to enter and leave through them.
Ibn Ezra: Chachamim used to gather there.
Ri Kara: They used to be open always, day and night.
Palgei Mayim: A reason for the Churban was because people did not come on the roads and in her gates for the Regalim.
Why is there a Nun at the end of "Shomemin"?
Ibn Ezra: It is in place of a Mem. This is like "Kach Lecha Chitin" (Yechezkel 4:9), "l'Ketz ha'Yamim" (Daniel 12:13). Nun or Mem at the end of a word shows the plural.
Why are specifically Kohanim moaning?
Ibn Ezra: Now they do not receive Bikurim and Ma'aser 1 .
Ri Kara, R. Avigdor: They used to receive 24 Matanos Kehunah.
Palgei Mayim: Their Kedushah was increased via offering Korbanos; now, it was decreased.
Why did he say Ma'aser (which is give to Leviyim), and not Terumah? Perhaps this is like the opinion that the Torah permits giving Ma'aser to a Kohen; Ma'aser is a 10th, but the Torah permits giving any amount for Terumah. If he refers to Ma'aser Behemah (like R. Chananel, who says that it is given to Kohanim), he should have specified! (PF)
Why does it specify "Besulos"?
Ibn Ezra: They used to dance during the Regel.
Rashbam: They used to rejoice.
R. Avigdor: This refers to Chachamim who never tasted sin, like Besulos.
R. Avigdor: Refer to 1:4:8:4.
Palgei Mayim: The commoners are called Besulas Bas Ami. Diminution of the nation diminishes their Kedushah.
What is the meaning of "Nugos"?
Rav Sadya Gaon: They bear shame.
Rashi, Ibn Ezra #1: It is an expression of Yagon (sadness). The only letter of the root is Gimel. Rashbam - the root is Yagah. The first and last letters of the root are omitted, like Natah, Nakeh, "Ki Hashem Hogah" (5). Yagon is from the root Yagah, just like Charon is from Charah and Chazon is from Chazah.
Ibn Ezra #2: They are worried. It is Nif'al conjugation, like "Nugei mi'Mo'ed" (Tzefanyah 3:18).
R. Avigdor citing Eichah Zuta: They flow with blood like a Gas (winepress) flows with wine, due to the many Bi'os that [the enemy] force them to have - this one is Bo'el, and this one is Bo'el
Magihah (in Toras Chayim): The Midrash says, we read this 'li'V'ulas.'
What is the meaning of "v'Hi Mar Lah"?
Rashbam: Tziyon is bitter due to them.
Palgei Mayim:: Tziyon is bitter due to the Bitul of its Kedushah and diminution of the Shechinah [while the Mikdash stood], therefore they will be exiled from it and pursued more than anyone.
