20^th of Kislev, December 17, 2008 

The psalmist, having compared the children of Israel to the grapevine, advocates on their behalf.  "Why have You breached its fences, and all who pass by the way pluck its fruit?  The boar from the wood ravages it, and the wild bird devours it (Psalm 80:13-14)."   Assaf compares Hashem to the vine-dresser who tears down the fences of the vineyard, abandoning it.  His question begins as a complaint that G-D should not have permitted the fence breakages and abandonment of the vineyard.  The Da’at Mikra elaborates on the wording "You breached" in reference to G-D having broken the fences.  This suggests that it was not the enemies’ prowess that overcame Israel, but that it was Hashem who gave them the strength to overpower us.  The grapevine, no longer protected by its fences, is an easy target for predators who freely feed on its fruit.  Not only do humans eat of the fruit, but the wild boar and birds, capable of inflicting great damage, ravage as well. 

Copyright, 2008 Rachel Lerner