Who are "Me'ahavai"?
Rashi: Those who feigned to be lovers.
Ibn Ezra: This is not Ohavai. Rather, they seek that others will love them [via feigning to be lovers].
Ri Kara: The nations that she clung to them to love them - Egypt and Ashur - "va'Tizni El Bnei Mitzrayim", "El Bnei Ashur Asher Agvah Aleihem" (Yechezkel 15:26, 23:12).
R. Avigdor: They are the false Nevi'im, who caused her to love idolatry.
Palgei Mayim: The nations - "Elechah Acharei Me'ahavai
Why did she call to "Me'ahavai"?
Ibn Ezra: She requested counsel, for all the Kohanim who prayed for her and the elders who counseled her, they died of hunger. This is not Ohavai. Rather, they seek that others will love them [via feigning to be lovers].
Ri Kara: To help her.
Palgei Mayim: "Karasi" is giving importance. The Targum of "Re'eh Karasi v'Shem Betzalel" (Shemos 31:2) is Chazu d'Rabeisi.
How did they trick her?
Rashi citing Eichah Rabah 2:4: Bnei Yishmael went out to greet the exiles when they passed near them, and feigned to have mercy on them. They gave to them salted food; they ate, and were thirsty. They gave to them inflated pouches. Yisrael thought that there was wine 1 inside. They opened them with their teeth; the [compressed] air entered their innards, and killed them. It says "ba'Ya'ar Barav Talinu
Why does Rashi say 'wine'? The verse he cites below says "Hesayu Mayim", and Midrashim say that Yisrael requested water! (PF)
Were they able to revive themselves?
Rav Sadya Gaon: No - they sought to do so, but could not find food.
Palgei Mayim: No - I did not give to them even for this.
