share torah logo

Leviticus 26:43 - Exile atones for desecrated Sabbaths?

Leviticus 26:43 - ויקרא 26:43

Hebrew Text

וְהָאָרֶץ תֵּעָזֵב מֵהֶם וְתִרֶץ אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶיהָ בָּהְשַׁמָּה מֵהֶם וְהֵם יִרְצוּ אֶת־עֲוֺנָם יַעַן וּבְיַעַן בְּמִשְׁפָּטַי מָאָסוּ וְאֶת־חֻקֹּתַי גָּעֲלָה נַפְשָׁם׃

English Translation

The land also shall be forsaken by them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lies desolate without them: and they shall make amends for their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.

Transliteration

Veha'aretz te'azev mehem vetirets et-shabetoteha bahshama mehem vehem yirtsu et-avonam ya'an uvya'an bemishpatai ma'asu ve'et-chukotai ga'ala nafsham.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָאָ֩רֶץ֩ תֵּעָזֵ֨ב מֵהֶ֜ם וְתִ֣רֶץ אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָ בׇּהְשַׁמָּהֿ֙ מֵהֶ֔ם וְהֵ֖ם יִרְצ֣וּ אֶת־עֲוֺנָ֑ם יַ֣עַן וּבְיַ֔עַן בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י מָאָ֔סוּ וְאֶת־חֻקֹּתַ֖י גָּעֲלָ֥ה נַפְשָֽׁם׃
וְהָאָ֩רֶץ֩ תֵּעָזֵ֨ב מֵהֶ֜ם וְתִ֣רֶץ אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָ בׇּהְשַׁמָּהֿ֙ מֵהֶ֔ם וְהֵ֖ם יִרְצ֣וּ אֶת־עֲוֺנָ֑ם יַ֣עַן וּבְיַ֔עַן בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י מָאָ֔סוּ וְאֶת־חֻקֹּתַ֖י גָּעֲלָ֥ה נַפְשָֽׁם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and Overview

The verse (Vayikra 26:43) appears in the Tochacha (Rebuke) section of Parshat Bechukotai, where Hashem warns of the consequences of neglecting the Torah's commandments. This particular verse describes the exile of the Jewish people from Eretz Yisrael and the land's subsequent rest, paralleling the concept of Shemittah (Sabbatical year).

Explanation of the Verse

The phrase "וְהָאָרֶץ תֵּעָזֵב מֵהֶם" ("the land shall be forsaken by them") refers to the forced exile of Bnei Yisrael due to their sins. Rashi explains that the land will remain desolate in their absence, as it will no longer be cultivated by its rightful inhabitants. This desolation serves as a fulfillment of the neglected Shemittah years (Vayikra 26:34-35).

The words "וְתִרֶץ אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶיהָ" ("and shall enjoy her Sabbaths") are interpreted by the Sifra (Torat Kohanim) to mean that the land will finally "repay" its debt of unobserved Shemittah years. The Ramban (Nachmanides) elaborates that this is a form of Divine justice—since Bnei Yisrael failed to let the land rest every seventh year, it will now rest forcibly during their exile.

Spiritual Consequences

The latter part of the verse—"וְהֵם יִרְצוּ אֶת־עֲוֺנָם" ("and they shall make amends for their iniquity")—teaches that exile serves as atonement. The Talmud (Yoma 86a) states that suffering in exile helps cleanse sin, aligning with the principle of yissurim mechaperim (afflictions bring atonement).

The repetition of "יַעַן וּבְיַעַן" ("because, even because") emphasizes the severity of their transgressions. As the Sforno notes, the double language indicates that their sins were twofold:

  • "בְּמִשְׁפָּטַי מָאָסוּ" ("they despised My judgments")—rejecting mitzvot with clear logical basis (e.g., theft, murder).
  • "וְאֶת־חֻקֹּתַי גָּעֲלָה נַפְשָׁם" ("their soul abhorred My statutes")—showing contempt even for chukim, mitzvot beyond human understanding (e.g., kashrut, para aduma).

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 35:1) compares Eretz Yisrael to a faithful wife who remains loyal even when her husband is exiled. The land's desolation reflects its "mourning" for Bnei Yisrael, awaiting their return—a theme echoed in the Kinot of Tisha B'Av.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Avodah Zarah 5a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the consequences of Israel's sins and the concept of the land resting during the exile.
📖 Sanhedrin 97b
Cited in a discussion about the duration of the exile and the fulfillment of the land's sabbatical years as punishment for Israel's transgressions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that the land will 'enjoy her Sabbaths' in Leviticus 26:43?
A: According to Rashi, this refers to the Sabbatical (Shmita) years when the Jewish people did not let the land rest as commanded. During exile, the land will 'make up' for those missed rest years by lying desolate, fulfilling the mitzvah of Shmita that was neglected.
Q: Why does the verse say the Jewish people will 'make amends for their iniquity'?
A: The Rambam explains in Hilchot Teshuva that exile serves as atonement. When the Jewish people are removed from the land due to their sins, the suffering of exile helps cleanse them spiritually so they can ultimately return to Hashem and the land of Israel.
Q: What are the 'judgments' and 'statutes' mentioned in Leviticus 26:43?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 56a) explains that 'judgments' (mishpatim) refer to logical commandments like honoring parents, while 'statutes' (chukim) are divine decrees without obvious reasons, like kashrut. The verse criticizes those who rejected both types of commandments.
Q: How does this verse about exile apply to us today?
A: The Sforno teaches that this verse reminds us of the consequences of abandoning Torah values. Even today, we must strengthen our commitment to mitzvot and appreciate the gift of living in Israel when we merit it, learning from this warning about exile.
Q: What is the connection between Shmita and exile in this verse?
A: The Midrash (Torat Kohanim) connects them - neglecting Shmita shows disregard for Hashem's ownership of the land. Just as the land needs periodic rest, exile gives the nation a 'rest' from misusing the land, allowing both to be spiritually renewed.