share torah logo

Leviticus 26:32 - Exile reveals land's holiness?

Leviticus 26:32 - ויקרא 26:32

Hebrew Text

וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִי אֲנִי אֶת־הָאָרֶץ וְשָׁמְמוּ עָלֶיהָ אֹיְבֵיכֶם הַיֹּשְׁבִים בָּהּ׃

English Translation

And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies who dwell in it shall be astonished at it.

Transliteration

Vahashimoti ani et-ha'aretz vesham'u aleyha oyveychem hayoshvim bah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִ֥י אֲנִ֖י אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְשָֽׁמְמ֤וּ עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֔ם הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בָּֽהּ׃
וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִ֥י אֲנִ֖י אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְשָֽׁמְמ֤וּ עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֔ם הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בָּֽהּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Vayikra 26:32) appears in the Tochacha (Rebuke), a section of severe warnings for failing to observe the mitzvos. Rashi explains that this desolation is a consequence of Israel's sins, emphasizing that even when the Jewish people are exiled, the land will not accept their enemies, remaining barren as a sign of its connection to Bnei Yisrael.

Desolation as Divine Judgment

The Ramban (Nachmanides) elaborates that the land's desolation serves two purposes:

  • Punishment: The land itself suffers due to the sins of its inhabitants, reflecting the principle of middah k'neged middah (measure for measure).
  • Testimony: The astonishment of enemies at the land's barrenness proves that its fertility was contingent on the Jewish people's merit (Sifra, Bechukosai).

The Land's Loyalty to Israel

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 36:1) compares Eretz Yisrael to a faithful wife who refuses to produce bounty for another "husband" (foreign nations). The Talmud (Ketubot 112b) states that even when enemies settle there, the land "vomits them out" spiritually through its desolation, echoing the verse's imagery.

Eschatological Promise

Malbim interprets this as a hidden comfort: the very desolation guarantees eventual redemption, as the land awaits its rightful children. This aligns with the later prophecy (Vayikra 26:44) of ultimate return, showing that desolation is temporary but covenantal love eternal.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 11a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the desolation of the land and the astonishment of the enemies dwelling in it, as part of a broader discussion on divine retribution and the consequences of Israel's actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 26:32 mean?
A: Leviticus 26:32 is part of the 'Tochacha' (rebuke), where Hashem warns that if the Jewish people abandon the Torah, the Land of Israel will become desolate. Rashi explains that this desolation will be so severe that even enemies who conquer the land will not be able to settle there comfortably—showing that the land is uniquely connected to the Jewish people.
Q: Why is this verse important?
A: This verse highlights the special bond between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. The Ramban teaches that the land's fertility and prosperity depend on the Jewish people's faithfulness to the Torah. When they stray, the land reacts, emphasizing that our spiritual state affects the physical world.
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 26:32?
A: We learn that the Land of Israel is not just a physical homeland but a spiritual inheritance. The Midrash (Sifra) notes that even in exile, the land 'waits' for the Jewish people to return, showing that our connection is eternal. This teaches us the importance of maintaining our covenant with Hashem.
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: Historically, many conquerors (Romans, Crusaders, etc.) found the land difficult to cultivate when the Jewish people were exiled, fulfilling this prophecy. Today, the land's flourishing alongside the Jewish return (as seen in agriculture and settlement) reflects the Torah's promise that our bond with the land is unbreakable when we follow Hashem's ways.