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Deuteronomy 28:51 - Enemy consumes Israel's blessings

Deuteronomy 28:51 - דברים 28:51

Hebrew Text

וְאָכַל פְּרִי בְהֶמְתְּךָ וּפְרִי־אַדְמָתְךָ עַד הִשָּׁמְדָךְ אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יַשְׁאִיר לְךָ דָּגָן תִּירוֹשׁ וְיִצְהָר שְׁגַר אֲלָפֶיךָ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹת צֹאנֶךָ עַד הַאֲבִידוֹ אֹתָךְ׃

English Translation

and he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: such a one as shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy cattle, or the young of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.

Transliteration

Ve'akhal pri vehemtekha ufrei-admatekha ad hishamdekha asher lo-yashir lekha dagan tirosh veyitzhar shegar alafekha ve'ashtrot tzonekha ad ha'avido otakh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְ֠אָכַ֠ל פְּרִ֨י בְהֶמְתְּךָ֥ וּפְרִֽי־אַדְמָתְךָ֮ עַ֣ד הִשָּׁמְדָךְ֒ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־יַשְׁאִ֜יר לְךָ֗ דָּגָן֙ תִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְיִצְהָ֔ר שְׁגַ֥ר אֲלָפֶ֖יךָ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת צֹאנֶ֑ךָ עַ֥ד הַאֲבִיד֖וֹ אֹתָֽךְ׃
וְ֠אָכַ֠ל פְּרִ֨י בְהֶמְתְּךָ֥ וּפְרִֽי־אַדְמָתְךָ֮ עַ֣ד הִשָּׁמְדָךְ֒ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־יַשְׁאִ֜יר לְךָ֗ דָּגָן֙ תִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְיִצְהָ֔ר שְׁגַ֥ר אֲלָפֶ֖יךָ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת צֹאנֶ֑ךָ עַ֥ד הַאֲבִיד֖וֹ אֹתָֽךְ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 28:51 as part of the Tochacha (the rebuke), where Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael of the severe consequences that will befall them if they abandon the covenant with Hashem. The verse describes the devastation an enemy will bring upon the land, consuming all produce and livestock until complete destruction.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "עַד הִשָּׁמְדָךְ" ("until thou be destroyed") refers to the enemy's relentless plundering until nothing remains. He emphasizes that this is a measure-for-measure punishment: just as Bnei Yisrael neglected mitzvos tied to the land (e.g., terumah, maaser), their produce will be taken by others.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchos Teshuvah (9:2), Rambam teaches that such calamities are meant to awaken repentance. The loss of dagan, tirosh, veyitzhar (grain, wine, and oil)—staples of sustenance and Temple offerings—signifies the breakdown of both physical and spiritual life when mitzvos are abandoned.

Midrashic Interpretation

  • Sifrei Devarim connects this curse to the sin of idolatry, noting that "עַשְׁתְּרֹת צֹאנֶךָ" ("young of thy sheep") alludes to the worship of Ashtoreth, a pagan deity associated with flocks.
  • The Midrash Tanchuma states that the enemy's consumption of Israel's bounty reflects how their blessings will be transferred to others due to ingratitude toward Hashem.

Halachic Implications

The Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 360) links this verse to the broader principle that material prosperity in Eretz Yisrael is contingent upon observance of mitzvos. The systematic loss of crops and livestock serves as a tangible reminder of the covenant's conditions.

Linguistic Nuances

The term "שְׁגַר אֲלָפֶיךָ" ("increase of thy cattle") is interpreted by Ibn Ezra as referring specifically to firstborn animals, hinting at the neglect of mitzvos like pidyon haben (redemption of the firstborn) and bekhor offerings.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 35a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the consequences of not following God's commandments, particularly in the context of the curses mentioned in Deuteronomy.
📖 Sanhedrin 90b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the severity of divine punishment for disobedience, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the curses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:51 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 28:51 is part of the 'Tochacha' (rebuke), where the Torah warns of severe consequences if the Jewish people do not follow Hashem's commandments. This verse describes how an enemy will consume the produce of the land and livestock, leaving nothing behind, as a punishment for disobedience. Rashi explains that this refers to a time when the enemy will be so relentless that they will take everything, leaving no sustenance for the people.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it emphasizes the principle of reward and punishment in the Torah. The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches that these warnings are meant to inspire repentance and adherence to mitzvot. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 97b) also discusses how suffering and exile come as a result of straying from Torah values, reinforcing the need for teshuvah (repentance).
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 28:51 today?
A: We learn that our relationship with Hashem is conditional on keeping the Torah. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explains that these consequences are not arbitrary but serve as a wake-up call. Today, we should reflect on our actions and strive to strengthen our commitment to Torah and mitzvot to avoid such calamities.
Q: How does this verse apply to modern Jewish life?
A: While we do not experience the exact punishments described, the principle remains relevant. The Chofetz Chaim taught that hardships in Jewish history should remind us to examine our ways. By observing Torah and performing mitzvot with sincerity, we can bring blessings instead of curses, as promised in the Torah.
Q: What is the significance of the specific items mentioned (grain, wine, oil, cattle, sheep)?
A: These items represent the basic necessities of life in biblical times. Grain (דגן), wine (תירוש), and oil (יצהר) were staple foods, while cattle (אלפים) and sheep (צאן) were essential for livelihood. Rashi notes that their loss signifies total devastation, showing how disobedience can lead to the removal of Hashem's blessings in every aspect of life.