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Deuteronomy 28:41 - Children lost to exile.

Deuteronomy 28:41 - דברים 28:41

Hebrew Text

בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת תּוֹלִיד וְלֹא־יִהְיוּ לָךְ כִּי יֵלְכוּ בַּשֶּׁבִי׃

English Translation

Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.

Transliteration

Banim uvanot tolid velo-yihyu lakh ki yelkhu bashvi

Hebrew Leining Text

בָּנִ֥ים וּבָנ֖וֹת תּוֹלִ֑יד וְלֹא־יִהְי֣וּ לָ֔ךְ כִּ֥י יֵלְכ֖וּ בַּשֶּֽׁבִי׃
בָּנִ֥ים וּבָנ֖וֹת תּוֹלִ֑יד וְלֹא־יִהְי֣וּ לָ֔ךְ כִּ֥י יֵלְכ֖וּ בַּשֶּֽׁבִי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and Source

The verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 28:41 as part of the Tochacha (Admonition), a section detailing the consequences of failing to observe the commandments. The Torah warns that despite having children, they will be taken into captivity, preventing the parents from deriving joy from them.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that this curse reflects a tragic reversal of the natural order. Ordinarily, children bring comfort and continuity to their parents (Berachot 5a), but here, they will be lost to exile. Rashi emphasizes that this punishment corresponds to the sin of neglecting Torah study and mitzvot, as the verse states earlier (Devarim 28:15).

Ibn Ezra's Perspective

Ibn Ezra notes the poetic parallelism in the verse: "Thou shalt beget sons and daughters" contrasts sharply with "they shall go into captivity." He highlights the cruelty of this fate—parents will witness their children's suffering but be powerless to intervene, a punishment worse than childlessness.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Sifrei (a halachic Midrash on Deuteronomy) connects this verse to the broader theme of exile. It teaches that captivity represents not just physical displacement but spiritual disconnection—children raised in foreign lands may abandon Torah values (Sifrei Devarim 303). The Midrash Eichah Rabbah (1:16) also cites this verse in lamenting the Babylonian exile, where Jewish children were assimilated into foreign cultures.

Rambam's Ethical Lesson

In Hilchot Teshuvah (Laws of Repentance 9:2), Rambam cites such verses to illustrate how divine punishment aligns with the principle of "middah k'neged middah" (measure for measure). Just as Israel might neglect their spiritual "children" (Torah and mitzvot), their physical children will be taken from them. This serves as a call to prioritize Torah education.

Practical Implications

  • Parental Responsibility: The verse underscores the duty to raise children in Torah values to prevent spiritual "captivity" (Rambam, Hilchot Talmud Torah 1:1).
  • Communal Vigilance: The Talmud (Bava Batra 21a) links this curse to neglecting communal education, stressing the need for strong Jewish schools.
  • Hope Amidst Warning: The Malbim notes that the verse’s harshness is meant to inspire repentance, as captivity is never presented as irreversible (Devarim 30:1-3).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:41 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 28:41 is part of the 'Tochecha' (the rebuke), where Moshe warns the Jewish people of the consequences they will face if they do not follow Hashem's commandments. This verse specifically states that even if they have children, they will not be able to enjoy them because their children will be taken into captivity as a punishment for straying from Torah observance.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish tradition?
A: This verse is important because it serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of abandoning Torah and mitzvot. The Tochecha is read publicly in synagogues to inspire teshuvah (repentance) and reinforce the importance of staying faithful to Hashem's commandments. Rashi explains that these warnings are meant to encourage us to return to the right path.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: While we do not experience the exact punishments described in the Tochecha today, the verse reminds us that our actions have consequences. The Rambam teaches that suffering can sometimes be a wake-up call to examine our deeds and strengthen our commitment to Torah. Parents today can learn the importance of raising children with strong Jewish values to ensure continuity.
Q: What is the deeper message behind 'they shall go into captivity'?
A: The Midrash teaches that exile is not just physical captivity but also spiritual disconnection. When children are lost to assimilation or foreign influences, it is a form of 'captivity.' The verse warns that neglecting Torah education can lead to future generations drifting away from Jewish identity.
Q: Does this mean having children is a curse in this context?
A: No, having children is always a blessing in Judaism. The curse here is not the children themselves but the tragic outcome of losing them due to disobedience to Hashem. The Talmud (Ta'anit 23a) teaches that children are a sign of divine favor, but their upbringing must be rooted in Torah to ensure their spiritual survival.