My soul longs and faints for the house of the Lord. This is not just a present feeling, but the Israelites also longed for the Temple when they were at the sea, as it is said, "You led them in Your faithfulness to Your holy abode" (Exodus 15:13). Bring it and taste it. The Israelites said, "How long will our enemies hate us and say, 'Like a bird wandering from its nest'?" (Proverbs 27:8).
There is no one but God, as it is said, "The Lord is a man of war" (Exodus 15:3). It is said that God does not return to His house, as it is said, "So a man wanders from his place" (Proverbs 27:8). And it is also said, "Flee, like a bird, to your mountain" (Psalm 11:1). It did not say "dove," but "bird."
One takes the chicks of a dove, and it returns to its place, as it is said, "For the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot" (Genesis 8:9). But this bird is different; it lays its eggs in one place and takes its chicks, and does not return to its place. Similarly, the wicked and Israel are compared to this bird, as it is said, "Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself" (Psalm 84:4)....