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Deuteronomy 28:27 - Divine punishment for disobedience?

Deuteronomy 28:27 - דברים 28:27

Hebrew Text

יַכְּכָה יְהוָה בִּשְׁחִין מִצְרַיִם ובעפלים [וּבַטְּחֹרִים] וּבַגָּרָב וּבֶחָרֶס אֲשֶׁר לֹא־תוּכַל לְהֵרָפֵא׃

English Translation

The Lord will smite thee with the pox of Miżrayim, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

Transliteration

Yakka Adonai bishkhin Mitzrayim uvatahorim uvagarav uvachares asher lo tuchal leherafe.

Hebrew Leining Text

יַכְּכָ֨ה יְהֹוָ֜ה בִּשְׁחִ֤ין מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ <span class="mam-kq"><span class="mam-kq-k">(ובעפלים)</span> <span class="mam-kq-q">[וּבַטְּחֹרִ֔ים]</span></span> וּבַגָּרָ֖ב וּבֶחָ֑רֶס אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־תוּכַ֖ל לְהֵרָפֵֽא׃
יַכְּכָ֨ה יְהֹוָ֜ה בִּשְׁחִ֤ין מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ (ובעפלים) [וּבַטְּחֹרִ֔ים] וּבַגָּרָ֖ב וּבֶחָ֑רֶס אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־תוּכַ֖ל לְהֵרָפֵֽא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 28:27 as part of the Tochacha (the Admonition), a section detailing the severe consequences that will befall the Jewish people if they abandon the covenant with Hashem. The curses listed here are physical afflictions, mirroring some of the plagues that struck Mitzrayim (Egypt), emphasizing that those who reject Torah will suffer similar punishments.

Explanation of the Afflictions

  • שְׁחִין מִצְרַיִם (Pox of Egypt): Rashi explains that this refers to the boils (Shechin) from the sixth plague in Egypt (Shemot 9:9-11). The Malbim adds that this was a supernatural affliction, resistant to natural remedies.
  • עפלים / טְחֹרִים (Emerods / Hemorrhoids): The Ibn Ezra interprets this as painful swellings, possibly referencing the affliction that struck the Philistines when they captured the Ark (Shmuel I 5:6). The Ramban suggests it symbolizes humiliation and discomfort.
  • גָּרָב (Scab): The Sifrei identifies this as a skin disease causing itching and peeling, similar to tzara’at (leprosy), often associated with spiritual impurity.
  • חָרֶס (Itch): The Targum Onkelos translates this as a burning rash, while Rashi links it to a persistent, incurable skin condition.

Spiritual Implications

The Kli Yakar teaches that these afflictions are not merely physical but reflect spiritual decay. Just as Egypt was punished for its cruelty and arrogance, so too will those who stray from Torah suffer ailments that defy healing, symbolizing a rupture in their relationship with Hashem. The phrase "אֲשֶׁר לֹא־תוּכַל לְהֵרָפֵא" (which you cannot be healed from) underscores that without repentance, these curses remain inescapable.

Connection to Repentance

The Rambam in Hilchot Ta’anit (Laws of Fasting) emphasizes that suffering should prompt introspection and teshuvah (repentance). The Midrash Tanchuma (Re’eh 4) notes that even in punishment, Hashem leaves room for mercy—if the people return to Him, healing becomes possible.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:27 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 28:27 describes severe physical afflictions that could befall the Jewish people if they do not follow Hashem's commandments. These include the 'pox of Egypt,' hemorrhoids, scabs, and incurable itching. According to Rashi, these punishments are a consequence of abandoning the Torah's path.
Q: Why does the Torah mention the 'pox of Egypt' specifically?
A: The 'pox of Egypt' refers to the plagues that afflicted Egypt, serving as a reminder of the suffering endured by those who oppose Hashem's will. The Midrash teaches that these punishments are measure-for-measure consequences for failing to uphold the covenant.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: While we no longer experience these exact punishments, the verse teaches that straying from Torah observance can bring suffering. The Rambam explains that Divine providence operates based on our actions, urging us to return to mitzvot and teshuvah (repentance) to avoid spiritual and physical harm.
Q: What is the significance of these being incurable ailments?
A: The phrase 'whereof thou canst not be healed' emphasizes that these afflictions are beyond human remedy, highlighting the severity of abandoning Torah. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 97b) teaches that true healing comes only through sincere teshuvah and Divine mercy.
Q: Why does the Torah list multiple afflictions in this verse?
A: The multiple afflictions symbolize escalating consequences for continued disobedience. The Sforno explains that each ailment represents a different form of suffering, reinforcing the idea that neglecting Torah leads to increasing hardship until one repents.