share torah logo

Deuteronomy 28:45 - Curses follow disobedience's path?

Deuteronomy 28:45 - דברים 28:45

Hebrew Text

וּבָאוּ עָלֶיךָ כָּל־הַקְּלָלוֹת הָאֵלֶּה וּרְדָפוּךָ וְהִשִּׂיגוּךָ עַד הִשָּׁמְדָךְ כִּי־לֹא שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקוֹל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לִשְׁמֹר מִצְוֺתָיו וְחֻקֹּתָיו אֲשֶׁר צִוָּךְ׃

English Translation

Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou wouldst not hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:

Transliteration

Uva'u alekha kol-haklalot ha'eleh ur'dafukha v'hisigukha ad hishamdekha ki-lo shamata b'kol Adonai Elohekha lishmor mitzvotav v'chukotav asher tzivkha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבָ֨אוּ עָלֶ֜יךָ כׇּל־הַקְּלָל֣וֹת הָאֵ֗לֶּה וּרְדָפ֙וּךָ֙ וְהִשִּׂיג֔וּךָ עַ֖ד הִשָּׁמְדָ֑ךְ כִּי־לֹ֣א שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֛ר מִצְוֺתָ֥יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּֽךְ׃
וּבָ֨אוּ עָלֶ֜יךָ כׇּל־הַקְּלָל֣וֹת הָאֵ֗לֶּה וּרְדָפ֙וּךָ֙ וְהִשִּׂיג֔וּךָ עַ֖ד הִשָּׁמְדָ֑ךְ כִּי־לֹ֣א שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֛ר מִצְוֺתָ֥יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּֽךְ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Devarim

This verse appears in Parashat Ki Tavo (Devarim 28:45) as part of the Tochacha (Admonition), where Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael of the severe consequences of abandoning Hashem's commandments. The curses described are contingent upon disobedience, emphasizing the principle of Divine justice (middah k'neged middah).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 28:45) highlights the phrase "כִּי־לֹא שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקוֹל יְהוָה" ("because you did not listen to the voice of Hashem"), noting that the curses will intensify progressively if the initial warnings go unheeded. He explains that the curses "pursue and overtake" ("וּרְדָפוּךָ וְהִשִּׂיגוּךָ") to signify that they will be inescapable once set in motion due to persistent rebellion.

Rambam on Divine Retribution

In Hilchot Teshuvah (9:1), Rambam teaches that suffering and calamities are meant to awaken repentance. The phrase "עַד הִשָּׁמְדָךְ" ("until you are destroyed") is not merely punitive but serves as a corrective measure—urging a return to Torah observance before complete destruction occurs.

Midrashic Interpretation

  • Sifrei Devarim 303: The Midrash interprets "כָּל־הַקְּלָלוֹת הָאֵלֶּה" ("all these curses") as a cumulative effect—each curse compounds the next when there is no repentance.
  • Tanhuma Ki Tavo 4: The curses "pursue" like a relentless foe, illustrating that avoidance of mitzvot invites unrelenting Divine scrutiny until behavior is corrected.

Ibn Ezra on Cause and Effect

Ibn Ezra (Devarim 28:45) stresses the causal link between disobedience and suffering: the curses are not arbitrary but a direct consequence of ignoring "מִצְוֺתָיו וְחֻקֹּתָיו" ("His commandments and statutes"). The Torah’s warnings are a hora’at sha’ah (timeless lesson) on the gravity of covenantal fidelity.

Halachic Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 437) derives from this verse that suffering is a mechanism to remind Klal Yisrael of their spiritual mission. The curses are framed as a yissurim shel ahavah (chastisements of love) to realign the nation with Torah values.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 97b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the consequences of not heeding God's commandments and the eventual redemption of Israel.
📖 Megillah 11a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the misfortunes that befell the Jewish people due to their disobedience to God's commandments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:45 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 28:45 warns that if the Jewish people do not listen to Hashem and fail to keep His commandments, the curses mentioned earlier in the chapter will come upon them, pursue them, and overtake them until they are destroyed. Rashi explains that this emphasizes the severity of abandoning Torah observance and the inevitable consequences of turning away from Hashem's mitzvot.
Q: Why is Deuteronomy 28:45 important?
A: This verse is important because it underscores the principle of reward and punishment in Jewish tradition. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah) teaches that suffering and exile come as a result of neglecting Torah and mitzvot. This verse serves as a reminder of the covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people and the importance of obedience to His commandments.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 28:45?
A: We learn that keeping the Torah and mitzvot is essential for our spiritual and physical well-being. The Talmud (Sotah 9a) discusses how neglecting mitzvot leads to negative consequences. This verse teaches us that teshuvah (repentance) and returning to Torah observance can reverse these curses, as Hashem is merciful to those who sincerely repent.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 28:45 apply today?
A: Today, this verse reminds us that challenges and suffering may arise when we stray from Torah values. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah) explains that exile and hardship are meant to awaken us to return to Hashem. By strengthening our commitment to mitzvot and Torah study, we can bring blessings into our lives and the world.
Q: What does 'pursue and overtake' mean in this verse?
A: The phrase 'pursue and overtake' means that the consequences of abandoning mitzvot will inevitably catch up to us, even if we try to avoid them. The Sforno explains that this teaches that Divine justice cannot be escaped—when we ignore Hashem's commandments, the curses will persistently follow until we correct our ways through teshuvah.