Deuteronomy 28:54 - Delicate man's cruel desperation revealed

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Hebrew Text

הָאִישׁ הָרַךְ בְּךָ וְהֶעָנֹג מְאֹד תֵּרַע עֵינוֹ בְאָחִיו וּבְאֵשֶׁת חֵיקוֹ וּבְיֶתֶר בָּנָיו אֲשֶׁר יוֹתִיר׃

English Translation

the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil towards his brother, and towards the wife of his bosom, and towards the remnant of his children which he shall leave:

Transliteration

Ha'ish harakh bekha veha'anog me'od tera eino be'akhiyo uve'eshet kheiko uveyeter banav asher yotir.

Hebrew Leining Text

הָאִישׁ֙ הָרַ֣ךְ בְּךָ֔ וְהֶעָנֹ֖ג מְאֹ֑ד תֵּרַ֨ע עֵינ֤וֹ בְאָחִיו֙ וּבְאֵ֣שֶׁת חֵיק֔וֹ וּבְיֶ֥תֶר בָּנָ֖יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹתִֽיר׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 28:54, within the section of the Tochacha (Rebuke), where Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael of the severe consequences that will befall them if they stray from the Torah. This particular verse describes the extreme desperation that will arise during times of siege and famine, where even the most refined and delicate individuals will turn against their own family members.

Explanation of Key Phrases

"הָאִישׁ הָרַךְ בְּךָ וְהֶעָנֹג מְאֹד" (the man that is tender among you, and very delicate): Rashi explains that this refers to a person who has lived a life of luxury and comfort, never enduring hardship. The Ibn Ezra adds that such a person is unaccustomed to suffering and will react with extreme selfishness when faced with deprivation.
"תֵּרַע עֵינוֹ בְאָחִיו" (his eye shall be evil towards his brother): The Kli Yakar interprets this as a manifestation of jealousy and resentment, where even close familial bonds break down under the pressure of scarcity. The Sforno emphasizes that this cruelty arises from a complete abandonment of moral restraint.
"וּבְאֵשֶׁת חֵיקוֹ וּבְיֶתֶר בָּנָיו" (and towards the wife of his bosom, and towards the remnant of his children): The Malbim notes that this highlights the inversion of natural human compassion—where one would expect love and protection for one's spouse and children, desperation instead breeds hostility.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 4:1) teaches that suffering can either refine a person or corrupt them, depending on their spiritual resilience. This verse serves as a stark warning about the dangers of becoming too attached to physical comfort, as it can lead to moral decay in times of crisis. The Midrash Tanchuma (Re'eh 4) further elaborates that such behavior stems from a lack of trust in Hashem, causing people to act out of fear and selfishness rather than faith.

Historical and Prophetic Implications

The Abarbanel connects this verse to the destruction of the First and Second Temples, where siege conditions led to horrific acts of desperation among the Jewish people. The Chofetz Chaim (in his commentary on the Torah) emphasizes that these tragedies were not merely historical events but eternal lessons about the consequences of abandoning Torah values.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:54 mean?
A: This verse describes the extreme suffering that can occur during times of hardship, where even a normally kind and delicate person may become selfish and cruel, even toward their own family. Rashi explains that this refers to the desperation that arises during severe famine or siege, where people act against their nature due to unbearable suffering.

Q: Why is this verse important?
A: This verse is part of the 'Tochacha' (rebuke) in Deuteronomy, warning of the consequences of straying from Torah observance. The Rambam teaches that these warnings serve as a reminder to uphold mitzvot (commandments) and avoid the moral decay that comes with abandoning Torah values.

Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 28:54?
A: We learn how extreme suffering can corrupt even the most refined individuals. The Talmud (Gittin 56a) discusses how hardship can lead to moral decline, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ethical behavior even in difficult times.

Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: While we pray not to experience such extreme suffering, the verse reminds us to strengthen our faith and compassion, even in challenging times. The Midrash teaches that Torah study and mitzvot protect us from moral downfall, reinforcing the need for spiritual resilience.