When is "me'Olam"?
Radak: It is from long ago. Refer to 2:20:2:2.
Why does it say "Shibarti Ulech Nitakti Moserosayich"?
Rashi: The Ol (yoke) is of wood; breakage applies to it. Moserosayich are straps used to tie the yoke [to the animal]; Nitak (cut) applies to it.
Radak: I broke the yoke of Egypt that was on you, and in every generation, I cut the nations' straps that were on you.
Malbim: There are two reasons why Avodah can be hard. (a) Mitzvos Aseh are a heavy yoke in the body. (b) Mitzvos Lo Sa'aseh tie a person and stop him from doing anything. This is like an ox with a strong yoke and it is tied with straps, lest it cross its boundary. However, Mitzvos ha'Torah are easy! The idolaters of Eretz Yisrael had a heavy yoke. They burned their sons and daughters in fire to their gods! I cast this yoke off of you, and cut the straps 1 . The warnings of idolatry were more severe, and I cut these ties from you.
This implies that Yisrael would have been bound by the idolatrous rites, had Hashem not permitted them! Perhaps he means that if not for the Torah, surely we would have followed the Nochrim. This requires investigation. (PF)
What is the meaning of "Lo E'evor"?
Rashi: I will not transgress Your words. Radak - when I saved you, you said that you will not transgress My Mitzvos again.
Malbim: Hashem demands only that we not transgress His Mitzvos. He did not forbid us difficult fences [to distance us from sin].
Why is it written E'evod, and we pronounce it E'evor?
Radak: The writing hints to serving idolatry. The pronunciation refers to transgressing [Mitzvos].
Why does it say "Ki Al Kol Giv'ah"?
Rashi: "Ki" means 'rather'; you did not fulfill your word.
Malbim: This explains how "Ra v'Mar Azvech Es Hashem" (verse 19. You became Hefker
What is "Tzo'ah Zonah"?
Rashi: It is something [for a harlot] to lie on, and a sheet.
Radak: Idolatry is compared to a Zonah, for just like a Zonah clings for a short time to one Zoneh (man who has Zenus), and afterwards she desires a different Zoneh, and follows him. Most of Yechezkel's words are based on this metaphor. You served one idolatry for a time, and afterwards another idolatry! You go from one hill to another, and from one fresh tree to another to serve idolatry. Tzo'ah is traveling from place to place, like "Mihar Tzo'eh Lehipase'ach", "Tzo'eh b'Rov Kocho" (Yeshayah 51:14, 63:1). It is a Po'el Yotzei (acts on something else).
Malbim: You are like a harlot who is restless for Zenus, like a woman who abandoned her husband and is Hefker to all, on every mountain and hill. This itself is very bitter!
