כבוד ה' מסתבר כבר עזב את המקדש, ולכן איננו חושש מטומאתו. בנוסף לכך, יחזקאל מזדעזע לגלות שאין צדיקים בעיר, ולכן לא תהיה שארית. 

Moshe, the fifth of the Ushpizin, is the passionate teacher, prophet, and leader of Israel. He strives for justice, and he is devoted to the Land of Israel. Though his feeling are stirred by the plight of his people, at first he does not want to be the prophet and emissary tasked with confronting Pharaoh and leading Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt.  Perhaps the most suited to the task of leader is the one who finds it too great a responsibility. He judges the people all day, until Yitro urges him to delegate. Does Moshe ever feel relieved of this burden?

Yosef, the fourth of the Ushpizin, is far-sighted. Though at first he provokes the ire of his brothers by sharing with them his dreams of grandeur, he eventually uses his skills to prevent a situation of widespread hunger. He reasons and analyzes dreams and situations, and ultimately understands God’s role in his personal story. He offers to interpret the dreams of the Wine Bearer and Chief Baker, and his God-given talents allow the Wine Bearer to mention him to Pharaoh when the time is ripe. He analyzes Pharaoh’s dreams and offers solutions, and is propelled to a position of great power.

יחזקאל מדגיש פעמים רבות כי חטאי העם גרמו לטומאה של העם, המקדש והארץ. מה פשר הדבר?

Yaakov, the third of the Ushpizin, is a traveler, constantly struggling on a journey. As he mentions to his sons and later to Pharaoh, he does not have an easy life. He is beset with many troubles and tragedies. He struggled in the womb, he had to flee for his life when his brother sought to kill him and eventually he had to face that brother. He had to struggle against Lavan, fleeing with his family and then standing his ground in a verbal face-off. Various sons made his life very difficult. He had to move from place to place, again and again.

Yitzhak, the second of the Ushpizin, is an example of devotion. He is described as loving his wife, Rivka and prays for her when she is barren. He faithfully restores the wells dug by his father that had been stopped up by others and follows his father’s path in many ways.

"צָץ הַמַּטֶּה פָּרַח הַזָּדוֹן" (יחזקאל ז', י)

פרח הזדון - כלומר: מעשים רעים שעשו ישראל, עתה יפרחו ויציצו

כלומר: שיקחו הגמול והעונש

ונבוכדנאצר קורא [=נקרא] "מטה" כמו "הוי אשור שבט אפי ומטה הוא בידם זעמי" (ישעיהו י', ה)

ונבוכדנאצר גם כן קורא [=נקרא] "זדון" כמו "הנני אליך זדון" (ירמיהו נ', לא)

ועל הדרך הזה תרגם יונתן: "צמח שולטנא הופע רשיעא".

הקץ קרוב. החורבן כבר כאן. צריך רק לפקוח את העיניים.

הביטויים בהם משתמש יחזקאל על מנת לתאר את חטאי העם, יוצרים השוואה לפרשת הברכות והקללות בויקרא. מכך ניתן ללמוד על עוצמת הפורענות, אך בו בזמן גם על הברית החזקה בין ה' לישראל, שלא תאפשר ניתוק ביניהם.

Avraham, the first of the Ushpizin, is a doer. He jumps with alacrity, moving to a strange new Land of Canaan, setting up altars and calling out in the Name of God. He immediately acts to rescue his nephew when he is taken captive, and rushes to welcome unexpected guests. Avraham, the first of the Ushpizin, looks for opportunities to act, to serve God, and to help humankind. 

For a summary of Avraham's life story click here