Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Leviticus 18:28 mean when it says the land will 'vomit' people out?
A: The verse uses strong imagery to warn that if the Jewish people engage in the immoral practices of the nations before them (like those listed earlier in Leviticus 18), the Land of Israel will 'reject' them through exile, just as it rejected the Canaanites. Rashi explains this as a consequence of severe spiritual defilement (tumah).
Q: Why is the Land of Israel described as 'vomiting' out its inhabitants?
A: The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah) teaches that the Land of Israel is uniquely sensitive to moral behavior. Unlike other lands, it cannot tolerate severe sins like idolatry, sexual immorality, and bloodshed. The graphic language emphasizes how unnatural it is for the land to sustain people who defile it with such actions.
Q: How does Leviticus 18:28 apply to Jews today?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuva) teaches that this verse reminds us of the spiritual connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Even today, our moral behavior affects our right to dwell in the land. The Talmud (Ketubot 110b) also states that living in Israel is a mitzvah tied to maintaining Torah standards.
Q: What were the sins of the nations before us that caused them to be 'vomited out'?
A: Earlier in Leviticus 18, the Torah lists forbidden relationships and immoral acts (such as incest, adultery, and bestiality) practiced by the Canaanites. Rashi notes that these sins, along with idolatry and cruelty (based on Deuteronomy 18:12), made the land 'spit them out' through conquest and exile.
Q: Is there a positive message in Leviticus 18:28 despite the warning?
A: Yes! The Sforno explains that this verse implies that if we avoid these sins, the land will lovingly 'hold us' and allow us to thrive. The Talmud (Yoma 39b) teaches that when the Jewish people are righteous, the land produces abundant blessings, showing the reciprocal relationship between morality and physical sustenance in Israel.
Verse Context and Meaning
The verse (Vayikra 18:28) serves as a warning to Bnei Yisrael regarding the consequences of defiling the Land of Israel through immoral behavior, particularly the abominable practices of the nations that previously inhabited it. The imagery of the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants emphasizes the severity of these sins and the land's inherent kedushah (holiness).
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Vayikra 18:28) explains that the land of Israel is unique in its relationship with Hashem—it cannot tolerate severe immorality. Just as a person's stomach rejects unsuitable food, the land rejects those who defile it with sinful behavior. This is why the Canaanite nations were expelled before Bnei Yisrael entered the land.
Rambam's Perspective
In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Issurei Biah 12:25), Rambam elaborates that the land's reaction is not merely a natural consequence but a divine decree. The expulsion of the Canaanites and the potential expulsion of Bnei Yisrael are both acts of divine justice, ensuring that the land remains a place where kedushah can flourish.
Midrashic Insights
Halachic Implications
The verse underscores the importance of maintaining moral and spiritual purity in Eretz Yisrael. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 188) connects this warning to the mitzvah of avoiding the abominable practices of the Canaanites, teaching that the land's sanctity demands a higher standard of conduct from its inhabitants.
Contemporary Lesson
This verse remains relevant as a reminder that dwelling in Eretz Yisrael is a privilege contingent upon adherence to Torah values. The land's kedushah requires its inhabitants to live in a way that reflects its divine purpose, lest they risk losing their connection to it.