Another matter, “one is my faultless dove,” this is the congregation of Israel, as it is stated: “Who is like Your people, like Israel, one nation on earth” (II Samuel 7:23). “One to her mother [le’imah],” as it is stated: “Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation [uleumi]” (Isaiah 51:4); le’imi is written.31The word My nation [le’umi] is written without a vav, such that it can be pronounced le’imi, meaning my mother.
However, the verse is traditionally written with the vav in the word le’umi. The midrash may reflect a tradition regarding the writing of this word that is different from the tradition that has been more accepted over the centuries. Alternatively, the word le’umi is not necessary in the verse at all, and is written because it at times can be pronounced le’imi, when it is written without a vav. “Pure to the one who bore her,” Rabbi Yaakov bar Avuna interpreted before Rabbi Yitzḥak: Other than her, there are no others to the one who bore her.32Israel is God’s only chosen nation.
“Girls see her and laud her,” just as it says: “All the nations will praise you” (Malachi 3:12). “Queens and concubines, and praise her,” just as you say: “Kings will be your caregivers” (Isaiah 49:23).33This demonstrates that even royalty will admire and praise Israel.