What is the meaning of "Mashlich Karcho k'Fitim"?
Rashi: The water [frozen drops] grow and become like crumbs.
Rashi citing a Midrash: Everything is according to the burden of people - the Oni, according to his lack of clothing, [the cold] is lighter for him. 1
Radak: Kerach is like Kefor, but it is stronger, and causes great cold. Therefore, "His cold" is mentioned with it. "K'Fitim" is like something sliced into slices; pieces fall down, gathered from drops of ice. It says His ice, for all is due to His word and command; nothing is chance.
Tosfos (Megilah 25a DH ha'Kol): Hashem sends His cold piecemeal - if He would send it all at once, "Who could bear it?!"
Meforshim did not find this Midrash. Tehilim ha'Mefurash (Diskin) asked how we learn this from "k'Fitim"; we could learn from "ka'Tzamer" (refer to 147:16:1:2). (Perhaps we read this like k'Fitim like k'Pesiyim - "Shomer Pesa'im Hashem" (116:6), and all the more so He guards one who lacks means to guard himself! - PF) Melitz Yosher compares this to Makas Dam; it did not affect Egyptians and Yisraelim equally.
What is the meaning of "[Lifnei Karaso] Mi Ya'amod"?
Rashi: Who will not be cold in the cold that He sends?!
Radak citing his father: Who can stand in His strong ice or cold? People do not leave their houses or engage in their work at such times!
Refer to 147:16:3:4.
