291. Rabbi Yitzchak opened the discussion saying: "Before the day cools, and the shadows flee away" (Shir Hashirim 4:6). "Before the day cools" refers to the exile of Yisrael, and that they would be subjugated in exile until that day when the rule of the nations will end. For we have learned that Rabbi Yitzchak said that the dominion of all nations together over Yisrael would last one thousand years. There is no nation that would not subjugate them. The one day corresponds to the words "but it shall be one particular day which shall be known as Hashem's..." (Zecharyah 14:7).
292. Another explanation. "Before the day cools," meaning before that day the nations will cool. "And the shadows flee away," are the governments that dominate them. "I will get me to the mountain of myrrh" (Shir Hashirim 4:6), said the Holy One, blessed be He, 'I will betake myself to shake the nations from Jerusalem, which is the mountain of myrrh, as is written, 'on the mountain of Moriah that is in Jerusalem' (II Divrei Hayamim 3:1). "And to the hill of frankincense," is the Temple that is in Zion, about which is written, "Fair in situation, the joy of the whole earth; Mount Zion" (Tehilim 48:3). AND THIS IS ALSO TO SHAKE OUT FROM THERE ALL THE WICKED PEOPLE, as is written, "To grasp the corners of the earth and to shake all the wicked people from it" (Iyov 38:13), as one holds a garment to shake all the filth from it.
293. Rabbi Yosi said, The Holy One, blessed be He, will eventually be revealed in terrestrial Jerusalem, and purify it from the filth of the nations, before that day of the nations is complete. For Rabbi Chiya said, The dominion of the nations over Yisrael lasts only one day, and that is the day of the Holy One, blessed be He, which is one thousand years long. This is what is written, "He has made me desolate and faint all the day" (Eichah 1:13), meaning one day only, and no more.
294. Rabbi Yosi said, If they are subjugated more than one thousand years, it is not because of the decree of the King, but rather because they do not wish to return IN REPENTANCE before Him. And it is written, "And it shall be when all these things come upon you... THEN YOU WILL RETURN TO HASHEM YOUR ELOHIM" (Devarim 30:1-2), and, "If your outcasts be at the utmost part of heaven, from there will Hashem gather you..." (Ibid. :4).