Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:42 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 28:42 warns of a curse where locusts or beetles (צְּלָצַל) will consume the trees and produce of the land if the Jewish people do not follow Hashem's commandments. This is part of the 'Tochacha' (rebuke) section, where consequences for disobedience are outlined (Rashi, Deuteronomy 28:42).
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it reminds us of the direct relationship between our actions and the blessings or curses we receive. The Torah teaches that agricultural success depends on our spiritual faithfulness (Rambam, Hilchos Ta'anios 1:1-3).
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 28:42 today?
A: We learn that our material blessings are connected to our spiritual behavior. Even today, we recite prayers for protection of crops and recognize Hashem's control over nature (Talmud Brachos 35a, Mishna Berurah 228:1).
Q: What is the 'צְּלָצַל' mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'צְּלָצַל' refers to a type of destructive insect, likely locusts or beetles, that can devastate crops. This shows how Hashem can use even small creatures to execute judgment when necessary (Rashi, Deuteronomy 28:42; Ibn Ezra ad loc).
Q: How does this apply to modern agriculture in Israel?
A: Traditional Jewish farmers in Israel still see agricultural success as dependent on spiritual merit. Many recite special prayers and take tithes (Terumos and Ma'asros) seriously, recognizing the timeless message of this verse (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 331).
Context in Torah
The verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 28:42 as part of the Tochacha (Admonition), a series of curses that will befall the Jewish people if they fail to observe the commandments. The beetle (hatzelatzal) consuming trees and fruit symbolizes agricultural devastation as a consequence of straying from Torah.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi (Deuteronomy 28:42) identifies hatzelatzal as a type of locust or destructive insect, citing its root (tz-l-l) as related to the sound (kol) of its wings. He explains that this plague would consume not only standing crops but even trees, indicating a severe agricultural curse.
Ibn Ezra's Insight
Ibn Ezra notes that the beetle's consumption of trees—not just fruit—signifies an escalation of punishment. Unlike ordinary locusts that eat seasonal produce, this pest destroys even perennial sources of sustenance, reflecting a breakdown in the natural order due to spiritual neglect.
Midrashic Interpretation
The Sifrei (Devarim 312) links this verse to the broader theme of exile: just as the beetle invades and dominates the land, foreign nations will dominate Israel if they abandon the covenant. The destruction of trees, which represent stability and blessing (cf. "Ki HaAdam Etz HaSadeh", Deuteronomy 20:19), underscores the loss of rootedness in Torah.
Halachic Implications
Symbolic Meaning
The Kli Yakar (Deuteronomy 28:42) interprets the beetle as a metaphor for internal decay: when spiritual vitality wanes (perishut mitzvot), even the physical blessings of the land become vulnerable to external forces. The curse thus mirrors the inverse of the blessings in Parashat Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3–13).