share torah logo

Deuteronomy 28:56 - Luxury leads to cruelty?

Deuteronomy 28:56 - דברים 28:56

Hebrew Text

הָרַכָּה בְךָ וְהָעֲנֻגָּה אֲשֶׁר לֹא־נִסְּתָה כַף־רַגְלָהּ הַצֵּג עַל־הָאָרֶץ מֵהִתְעַנֵּג וּמֵרֹךְ תֵּרַע עֵינָהּ בְּאִישׁ חֵיקָהּ וּבִבְנָהּ וּבְבִתָּהּ׃

English Translation

The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for fastidiousness and delicateness, her eye shall be evil towards the husband of her bosom, and towards her son, and towards her daughter,

Transliteration

Ha-rakah vecha ve-ha-anugah asher lo-niseta kaf-raglah ha-tzeig al-ha-aretz me-hit'aneg u-me-rokh tera eineh be-ish cheikah u-vi-vnah u-vi-vitah

Hebrew Leining Text

הָרַכָּ֨ה בְךָ֜ וְהָעֲנֻגָּ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־נִסְּתָ֤ה כַף־רַגְלָהּ֙ הַצֵּ֣ג עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ מֵהִתְעַנֵּ֖ג וּמֵרֹ֑ךְ תֵּרַ֤ע עֵינָהּ֙ בְּאִ֣ישׁ חֵיקָ֔הּ וּבִבְנָ֖הּ וּבְבִתָּֽהּ׃
הָרַכָּ֨ה בְךָ֜ וְהָעֲנֻגָּ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־נִסְּתָ֤ה כַף־רַגְלָהּ֙ הַצֵּ֣ג עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ מֵהִתְעַנֵּ֖ג וּמֵרֹ֑ךְ תֵּרַ֤ע עֵינָהּ֙ בְּאִ֣ישׁ חֵיקָ֔הּ וּבִבְנָ֖הּ וּבְבִתָּֽהּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

This verse (Devarim 28:56) appears in the Tochacha (Rebuke), where Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael of the severe consequences that will befall them if they abandon the Torah. The verse describes the suffering of even the most refined and delicate women during times of national catastrophe.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi interprets "הָרַכָּה בְךָ וְהָעֲנֻגָּה" as referring to a woman so accustomed to luxury that she never walked barefoot or on rough terrain. During siege conditions, she will become so desperate that she will resent ("תֵּרַע עֵינָהּ") even her closest family members—her husband, son, and daughter—when they receive portions of food she covets.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra emphasizes the psychological shift: a woman who once lived in extreme comfort will, under famine, develop an "evil eye" of jealousy toward her own family. This reflects the breakdown of societal and familial bonds due to suffering.

Midrashic Interpretation (Sifrei)

The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 303) connects this to the siege of Yerushalayim, where extreme hunger led to unthinkable cruelty. The phrase "לֹא־נִסְּתָה כַף־רַגְלָהּ" symbolizes how far she has fallen—from never setting foot on the ground to utter deprivation.

Halachic Perspective (Rambam)

Rambam (Hilchos Ta'anios 1:1-4) derives from this verse that suffering—especially famine—can corrupt human nature, turning even the most compassionate individuals against their loved ones. This underscores the importance of national repentance to avert such tragedies.

Chassidic Interpretation (Sefas Emes)

The Sefas Emes teaches that this verse warns against overindulgence in physical comforts ("הִתְעַנֵּג וּמֵרֹךְ"), which can lead to spiritual blindness. When material security is stripped away, one's true character is revealed—sometimes with tragic consequences.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:56 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 28:56 describes a refined and delicate woman who is so accustomed to comfort that she avoids even walking on the ground. The verse warns that during times of hardship (as part of the Torah's warnings for disobedience), even she will turn against her closest family members due to extreme suffering. Rashi explains that this highlights how severe the consequences can be when the Jewish people stray from Torah observance.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is part of the 'Tochacha' (rebuke) in Deuteronomy, which outlines the consequences of abandoning Torah commandments. It teaches that even those accustomed to luxury will suffer greatly without divine protection. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah) emphasizes that these warnings are meant to inspire repentance and awareness of how our actions affect our lives.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 28:56?
A: The verse teaches that material comfort can make people vulnerable in times of crisis. The Talmud (Berachot 32b) discusses how reliance on physical luxuries weakens resilience. This reminds us to prioritize spiritual strength (Torah and mitzvot) over fleeting comforts, as true stability comes from a relationship with Hashem.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: While we pray that such harsh punishments never occur, the principle remains relevant: over-dependence on physical ease can distance us from Torah values. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) notes that this verse warns against arrogance in prosperity. Today, we must balance material blessings with humility and gratitude to Hashem.