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Deuteronomy 28:52 - Trusting walls or trusting Hashem?

Deuteronomy 28:52 - דברים 28:52

Hebrew Text

וְהֵצַר לְךָ בְּכָל־שְׁעָרֶיךָ עַד רֶדֶת חֹמֹתֶיךָ הַגְּבֹהוֹת וְהַבְּצֻרוֹת אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה בֹּטֵחַ בָּהֵן בְּכָל־אַרְצֶךָ וְהֵצַר לְךָ בְּכָל־שְׁעָרֶיךָ בְּכָל־אַרְצְךָ אֲשֶׁר נָתַן יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לָךְ׃

English Translation

And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fortified walls come down, wherein thou didst trust, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the Lord thy God has given thee.

Transliteration

Ve'hetzar lekha be'chol-she'areikha ad redet chomoteykha hag'vohot vehab'tzurot asher atah bote'ach bahen be'chol-artzekha ve'hetzar lekha be'chol-she'areikha be'chol-artzekha asher natan Adonai Eloheikha lakh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהֵצַ֨ר לְךָ֜ בְּכׇל־שְׁעָרֶ֗יךָ עַ֣ד רֶ֤דֶת חֹמֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ הַגְּבֹהֹ֣ת וְהַבְּצֻר֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתָּ֛ה בֹּטֵ֥חַ בָּהֵ֖ן בְּכׇל־אַרְצֶ֑ךָ וְהֵצַ֤ר לְךָ֙ בְּכׇל־שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ בְּכׇ֨ל־אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֛ן יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לָֽךְ׃
וְהֵצַ֨ר לְךָ֜ בְּכׇל־שְׁעָרֶ֗יךָ עַ֣ד רֶ֤דֶת חֹמֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ הַגְּבֹהֹ֣ת וְהַבְּצֻר֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתָּ֛ה בֹּטֵ֥חַ בָּהֵ֖ן בְּכׇל־אַרְצֶ֑ךָ וְהֵצַ֤ר לְךָ֙ בְּכׇל־שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ בְּכׇ֨ל־אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֛ן יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לָֽךְ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

This verse appears in Devarim 28:52 as part of the Tochacha (the rebuke), where Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael of the severe consequences they will face if they abandon the covenant with Hashem. The verse describes a scenario where enemies will besiege the fortified cities of Eretz Yisrael, breaking down the walls in which the people had placed their trust.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 28:52) explains that the repetition of "וְהֵצַר לְךָ בְּכָל־שְׁעָרֶיךָ" ("he shall besiege thee in all thy gates") emphasizes that the siege will be relentless and inescapable. The fortified walls, which the people relied upon for security, will collapse because their trust was misplaced—they should have relied solely on Hashem rather than their physical defenses.

Rambam on Trust in Hashem

Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 12:2) teaches that while it is permissible—and even necessary—to take natural precautions (such as building walls and maintaining an army), one must recognize that true security comes only from Hashem. The verse underscores the folly of placing absolute trust in human strength rather than Divine protection.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Sifrei (Devarim 312) connects this verse to the broader theme of the Tochacha, stating that the downfall of fortified cities symbolizes the spiritual decline that precedes physical destruction. When Bnei Yisrael neglect Torah and mitzvot, even their strongest defenses will fail.

Ibn Ezra on Repetition

Ibn Ezra notes that the repetition of "בְּכָל־אַרְצֶךָ" ("throughout all thy land") stresses the totality of the calamity—no part of Eretz Yisrael will be spared. This serves as a stark reminder that the consequences of straying from Hashem’s commandments are comprehensive and unavoidable.

Practical Lesson

  • Trust in Hashem: While we must engage in hishtadlut (effort), ultimate reliance must be on Hashem.
  • Spiritual Foundations: Physical security is meaningless without spiritual integrity; the walls of Yerushalayim fell in the days of the Churban because of sinat chinam (baseless hatred).
  • Repentance: The Tochacha is not merely a warning but a call to teshuvah—returning to Hashem can avert disaster.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:52 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 28:52 is part of the 'Tochacha' (the rebuke), where the Torah warns of consequences if the Jewish people stray from Hashem's commandments. This verse describes a future siege where enemies will surround and attack the fortified cities of Israel, breaking down the walls that the people trusted in for protection. Rashi explains that this is a consequence of relying on human strength rather than trusting in Hashem.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it teaches a fundamental Jewish principle: true security comes only from trust in Hashem, not from physical defenses or human power. The Rambam (Hilchos Ta'anis 1:1-3) explains that hardships come to awaken people to repentance. The fortified walls symbolize misplaced trust, and the siege is a reminder to return to Hashem.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 28:52 today?
A: The lesson is that while it is natural to rely on physical protection (like strong walls or armies), ultimate trust must be in Hashem. The Talmud (Berachos 10a) teaches that King Chizkiyahu, when faced with siege, put his trust in Hashem and was saved. Today, this reminds us that while we must make reasonable efforts ('hishtadlus'), our primary reliance should be on divine protection.
Q: How does this verse apply to modern times?
A: Just as the verse warns against over-reliance on physical security, today we must remember that success—whether personal or national—comes from Hashem. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 4:4) explains that when Jews follow Torah, even enemies will not prevail against them. This teaches us to prioritize spiritual strength (Torah and mitzvos) alongside practical defenses.
Q: Why does the verse mention 'gates' and 'walls' specifically?
A: Gates and walls represent a city's strength and security. Rashi notes that the repetition of 'gates' emphasizes that no city will escape the siege. The 'high and fortified walls' symbolize human arrogance and false confidence in material defenses. The Talmud (Gittin 56a) relates this to the destruction of Jerusalem, where overconfidence in walls led to tragedy when trust in Hashem was lacking.