What are the implications of "v'Af Gam Zos"?
Rashi and R. Bachye #1: It implies that, even though Hashem will carry out the aforementioned curses regarding them, He will not reject them completely, to annul the covenant that He entered into with them.
R. Bachye #2 (citing the Sifra): With reference to Devarim 4:44 "ve'Zos ha'Torah" - it hints that the Torah will remain with Yisrael 1 even in Galus in the land of their enemies. 2
R. Bachye #3 (according to Kabalah): It hints at Kn'eses Yisrael, which is called 'Zos' 3 - to teach us that the Shechinah never moved away from Yisrel. 4
After everything else has been taken away from them. See R. Bachye.
R. Bachye: As the Torah write in Devarim 31:21 "ki Lo Sishachach mi'Pi Zar'o".
R. Bachye: As the Torah writes in Bereishis 49:28 "ve'Zos Pasuk and in Tehilim 118:23 "me'Eis Hashem Haysah Zos".
See R. Bachye - end of p. 581.
What are the connotations of the double Lashon "ve'Af Gam Zos"?
R. Bachye: "Af" indicates Midas ha'Din, whereas Gam indicates Midas Rachamim. 1 The combination implies that Hashem will temoer Midas ha'Di with Rachamim. 2
R. Bachye: Like 'Gemilus Chasadim" and like we find in Bereishis 30:6 "ve'Gam Shama be'Koli".
Indeed, "Zos" incorporates Di ad Rachamim.
Why are the connotations of the multiple expressions "Lo Me'astim, ve'Lo Ge'altim, Lechalosam, Lehafer B'risi Itam"?
R. Bachye: ' "Lo Me'astim" - in the days of Vespasi'an; "ve'Lo Ge'altim" - in the days of the Greeks; "Lechalosam Lehafer B'risi Itam" - in the days of Haman; "ki Ani Hashem Elokeihem" - in the days of Gog and Magog'.
Meshech Chochmah: Even if Yisrael become lowly amids their exile and want to abandon their heritage and be like the Nochrim, and think that Berlin is Yerushalayim - Hashem will not allow this. He will keep a remnant of Zera Avraham to establish their Divine mission in Eretz Yisrael.
Targum Yonasan: The four expressions refer to the four exiles - Bavel, Madai, Yavan and Edom, respectively. 1
Megilah, 11a #1: ' "Lo Me'astim" - in the days of the Greeks; "ve'Lo Ge'altim" - in the days of Nevuchadnetzar; "Lechalosam" - in the days of Haman; "Lehafer B'risi Itam" - in the days of the Persians; "ki Ani Hashem Elokeihem" - in the days of Gog and Magog'. 2
Megilah, 11a #2: "Lo Me'astim" - in the days of the Kasdim (the Babylonians), when I set-up for them Daniel, Mishael, Chananyah and Azaryah; "ve'Lo Ge'altim - in the days of the Greeks, when I set-up for them Shimon ha'Tzadik and the Chashmonai 3 and his sons and Matisyahu; "Lechalosam" - in the days of Haman, when I set-up for them Mord'chai and Esther; "Lehafer B'risi Itam" - in the days of the Persians, when I set-up for them Rebbi and the Chachamim of the various generations; "ki Ani Hashem Elokeihem" - in the days of Mashi'ach when no natios of tingue will be able to subjugate them. 4
To inform us that Hashem will see us through each Galus and deliver us from the clutches of our oppressors.
See Torah Temimah, as to why the Gemara lists the eras in the wrong order.
It is not clear who 'Chashmonai and his sons is referring to. Perhaps it ought to read 'Matisyahu and his sons'.
Refer also to 26:45:3:1*.
