1)
What is "Shachor"?
1.
Rav Sadya Gaon: It is ink.
2.
Rashi: It is coal.
3.
Ibn Ezra: It is blackness.
2)
What blackened them?
1.
Ibn Ezra: Hunger. Ri Kara - when they were satiated, they were redder than gold!
2.
Palgei Mayim: Poverty and hunger.
3)
Why does it say "Lo Nikeru ba'Chutzos"?
1.
Ri Kara: People who used to recognize them, when their appearance was good, did not recognize them now.
2.
Palgei Mayim: No one had mercy on them. Nikeru is like "Yehi Makirech Baruch" (Rus 2:19). This is why the punishment (written below) came!
4)
What is "Tzafar"?
1.
Rashi: It folded. There is nothing like this in Tanach.
2.
Ibn Ezra, Ri Kara, Rid: It stuck.
