share torah logo

Leviticus 26:16 - Divine consequences for disobedience?

Leviticus 26:16 - ויקרא 26:16

Hebrew Text

אַף־אֲנִי אֶעֱשֶׂה־זֹּאת לָכֶם וְהִפְקַדְתִּי עֲלֵיכֶם בֶּהָלָה אֶת־הַשַּׁחֶפֶת וְאֶת־הַקַּדַּחַת מְכַלּוֹת עֵינַיִם וּמְדִיבֹת נָפֶשׁ וּזְרַעְתֶּם לָרִיק זַרְעֲכֶם וַאֲכָלֻהוּ אֹיְבֵיכֶם׃

English Translation

I also will do this to you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.

Transliteration

Af-ani e'ese-zot lakhem vehifkadti aleikhem behala et-hashachefet ve'et-hakadachat mechalot einayim umedivot nafesh uz'ratem larik zar'achem va'achaluhu oyveichem.

Hebrew Leining Text

אַף־אֲנִ֞י אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־זֹּ֣את לָכֶ֗ם וְהִפְקַדְתִּ֨י עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם בֶּֽהָלָה֙ אֶת־הַשַּׁחֶ֣פֶת וְאֶת־הַקַּדַּ֔חַת מְכַלּ֥וֹת עֵינַ֖יִם וּמְדִיבֹ֣ת נָ֑פֶשׁ וּזְרַעְתֶּ֤ם לָרִיק֙ זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם וַאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ אֹיְבֵיכֶֽם׃
אַף־אֲנִ֞י אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־זֹּ֣את לָכֶ֗ם וְהִפְקַדְתִּ֨י עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם בֶּֽהָלָה֙ אֶת־הַשַּׁחֶ֣פֶת וְאֶת־הַקַּדַּ֔חַת מְכַלּ֥וֹת עֵינַ֖יִם וּמְדִיבֹ֣ת נָ֑פֶשׁ וּזְרַעְתֶּ֤ם לָרִיק֙ זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם וַאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ אֹיְבֵיכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:16 as part of the Tochacha (the Admonition), a section detailing the consequences that will befall the Jewish people if they fail to observe the commandments. The verse describes physical and emotional suffering, agricultural failure, and subjugation to enemies as punishments for straying from the covenant.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi interprets the phrase "והפקדתי עליכם בהלה" ("I will even appoint over you terror") as referring to sudden panic and fear that will grip the nation. He explains "את השחפת ואת הקדחת" ("consumption and fever") as diseases that waste the body—shachefet (consumption) being a disease that causes emaciation, and kadachat (fever) a burning illness that drains strength.

Rambam on Divine Punishment

Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Ta'anit (Laws of Fasting) teaches that these afflictions are not arbitrary but are meant to awaken repentance. The suffering described—physical ailments, emotional distress, and agricultural futility—are all mechanisms to prompt introspection and return to Hashem.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash Torat Kohanim elaborates that "מכלות עינים" ("that shall consume the eyes") refers to the anguish of seeing one's children suffer, while "ומדיבת נפש" ("cause sorrow of heart") signifies the despair of unfulfilled hopes. The phrase "וזרעתם לריק זרעכם" ("you shall sow your seed in vain") is interpreted as a curse where crops fail despite labor, and enemies reap the benefits.

Ibn Ezra on Agricultural Futility

Ibn Ezra notes that the curse of "ואכלוהו איביכם" ("your enemies shall eat it") emphasizes the humiliation of Israel's toil being exploited by others. This reflects the breakdown of the covenantal blessing of prosperity in the Land of Israel when mitzvot are neglected.

Spiritual Lessons

  • The verse underscores the principle of middah k'neged middah (measure for measure): abandoning Torah leads to instability, just as loyalty brings blessing.
  • The "consumption of the eyes" symbolizes the loss of clarity in discerning truth, while "sorrow of heart" reflects spiritual emptiness.
  • The agricultural imagery connects physical sustenance with divine providence—failure in one mirrors estrangement from the other.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 26:16 mean in simple terms?
A: Leviticus 26:16 is part of the 'Tochacha' (rebuke), where Hashem warns of consequences if the Jewish people fail to follow the Torah. This verse describes punishments like terror, illness ('consumption and fever'), emotional distress, and agricultural failure—where crops are sown but eaten by enemies. Rashi explains that these are consequences for abandoning mitzvot.
Q: Why does the Torah mention 'terror, consumption, and fever' as punishments?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Ta'anios 1:1-3) teaches that suffering comes to awaken people to repentance. 'Terror' refers to fear and instability, while 'consumption and fever' (שַׁחֶפֶת וְקַדַּחַת) represent physical and spiritual decline. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 107b) also connects illness with neglecting Torah study and mitzvot.
Q: What does 'sowing seed in vain' symbolize in this verse?
A: The phrase 'you shall sow your seed in vain' signifies futility in labor—a curse where one’s efforts don’t bear fruit. The Midrash (Toras Kohanim) explains this as a consequence of ignoring Shemittah (the Sabbatical year) or other agricultural mitzvot. It teaches that true sustenance comes from Hashem’s blessing, not just human effort.
Q: How does Leviticus 26:16 apply to us today?
A: While we no longer experience the exact punishments described, the principle remains: straying from Torah leads to hardship. The Chofetz Chaim teaches that personal or communal struggles should prompt introspection and teshuvah (repentance). The verse reminds us that closeness to Hashem brings bracha (blessing), while distance brings challenges.
Q: Why does the verse say enemies will eat the crops?
A: Rashi explains that this is a measure-for-measure consequence: if the Jewish people misuse their blessings (e.g., by being selfish or ignoring the poor), their harvest will go to others. The Talmud (Sotah 8b) also links injustice to loss of prosperity. It underscores that material success depends on ethical and spiritual behavior.