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Deuteronomy 28:67 - Fear's relentless torment.

Deuteronomy 28:67 - דברים 28:67

Hebrew Text

בַּבֹּקֶר תֹּאמַר מִי־יִתֵּן עֶרֶב וּבָעֶרֶב תֹּאמַר מִי־יִתֵּן בֹּקֶר מִפַּחַד לְבָבְךָ אֲשֶׁר תִּפְחָד וּמִמַּרְאֵה עֵינֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר תִּרְאֶה׃

English Translation

in the morning thou shalt say, Would it were evening! and at evening thou shalt say, Would it were morning! for the fear of thy heart with which thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thy eyes which thou shalt see.

Transliteration

Baboker tomar mi-yiten erev uva'erev tomar mi-yiten boker mipachad levavcha asher tifchad umimareh einecha asher tireh.

Hebrew Leining Text

בַּבֹּ֤קֶר תֹּאמַר֙ מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן עֶ֔רֶב וּבָעֶ֥רֶב תֹּאמַ֖ר מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן בֹּ֑קֶר מִפַּ֤חַד לְבָֽבְךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּפְחָ֔ד וּמִמַּרְאֵ֥ה עֵינֶ֖יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּרְאֶֽה׃
בַּבֹּ֤קֶר תֹּאמַר֙ מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן עֶ֔רֶב וּבָעֶ֥רֶב תֹּאמַ֖ר מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן בֹּ֑קֶר מִפַּ֤חַד לְבָֽבְךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּפְחָ֔ד וּמִמַּרְאֵ֥ה עֵינֶ֖יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּרְאֶֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

This verse (Devarim 28:67) appears in the Tochacha (Rebuke), a section detailing the consequences of abandoning the covenant with Hashem. The curses describe the psychological torment that will afflict those who stray from Torah observance.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that this verse depicts unbearable suffering where a person finds no respite—constantly wishing for the opposite time of day due to unrelenting fear. In the morning, they dread the coming night, and at night, they long for morning, as their terror persists without relief.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra emphasizes that this describes a state of perpetual anxiety—where one's heart trembles (mipachad levavcha) and their eyes witness horrors (mimareh einecha), leaving them trapped in cyclical despair.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Sifrei (Midrash Halacha) connects this to exile and persecution, where Jews under foreign rule experience such existential dread that time itself becomes a source of agony. The alternating cries for morning and evening reflect the instability of life without Divine protection.

Rambam on Psychological Suffering

In Hilchot Teshuvah (4:1), Rambam teaches that suffering—even psychological—can serve as a wake-up call to repentance. This verse illustrates how extreme distress may prompt introspection and return to Torah.

Chassidic Perspective (Sefat Emet)

The Sefat Emet interprets this as a metaphor for spiritual disconnection: when one loses touch with holiness, even time becomes a burden. Morning (light of Torah) and evening (concealment of Divine presence) alternate without fulfillment.

Practical Lesson

  • The verse warns against the consequences of abandoning mitzvot, where fear dominates life.
  • It underscores the blessing of peace (shalom) and stability that comes with Torah observance.
  • Rambam's view reminds us that suffering should motivate teshuvah (repentance).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 97b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the hardships and fears that will be prevalent in the times preceding the coming of the Messiah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:67 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 28:67 describes a state of extreme distress and anxiety where a person wishes for time to pass quickly—longing for evening in the morning and morning in the evening. According to Rashi, this verse refers to the suffering and fear experienced due to exile and persecution, where people live in constant dread of what each day may bring.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish tradition?
A: This verse is part of the 'Tochecha' (rebuke) in Deuteronomy, which warns of the consequences of straying from Torah observance. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105a) and Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explain that it serves as a sobering reminder of the hardships that can result from abandoning mitzvot, emphasizing the importance of staying faithful to Hashem’s commandments.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jewish history?
A: Throughout Jewish history, this verse has been seen as a prophecy describing the suffering of the Jewish people during times of exile and persecution, such as under foreign rulers or during pogroms. The Rambam (Hilchos Ta'anios 1:3) teaches that such hardships should inspire teshuvah (repentance) and a return to Torah observance.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 28:67 today?
A: This verse teaches that spiritual neglect can lead to suffering and instability. The Sages (Talmud Berachos 5a) explain that challenges should motivate us to strengthen our relationship with Hashem through Torah study, prayer, and mitzvot, rather than despairing. It reminds us that true peace comes from living a Torah-centered life.