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Leviticus 26:22 - Wild beasts punish disobedience.

Leviticus 26:22 - ויקרא 26:22

Hebrew Text

וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּי בָכֶם אֶת־חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה וְשִׁכְּלָה אֶתְכֶם וְהִכְרִיתָה אֶת־בְּהֶמְתְּכֶם וְהִמְעִיטָה אֶתְכֶם וְנָשַׁמּוּ דַּרְכֵיכֶם׃

English Translation

I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate.

Transliteration

Vehishlakhti vakhem et-chayat hasadeh veshikla etkhem vehikrita et-behemtekhem vehim'ita etkhem venashamu darkheikhem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּ֨י בָכֶ֜ם אֶת־חַיַּ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וְשִׁכְּלָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהִכְרִ֙יתָה֙ אֶת־בְּהֶמְתְּכֶ֔ם וְהִמְעִ֖יטָה אֶתְכֶ֑ם וְנָשַׁ֖מּוּ דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם׃
וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּ֨י בָכֶ֜ם אֶת־חַיַּ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וְשִׁכְּלָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהִכְרִ֙יתָה֙ אֶת־בְּהֶמְתְּכֶ֔ם וְהִמְעִ֖יטָה אֶתְכֶ֑ם וְנָשַׁ֖מּוּ דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:22 as part of the Tochacha (the Admonition), a series of severe warnings for failing to observe the mitzvos. The Torah outlines escalating consequences for disobedience, and this verse describes one of the punishments that would befall Bnei Yisrael if they stray from Hashem’s commandments.

Explanation of the Verse

The verse describes four specific punishments:

  • Wild beasts attacking: Rashi (on Vayikra 26:22) explains that this refers to actual wild animals that would be sent as a punishment. The Midrash (Toras Kohanim) adds that these beasts would not merely roam but specifically target children, emphasizing the severity of the consequence.
  • Destruction of cattle: Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that this is both a physical and economic blow, as livestock were essential for sustenance and labor.
  • Diminishing the population: The phrase "וְהִמְעִיטָה אֶתְכֶם" implies a drastic reduction in numbers, either through death or exile, as explained by the Malbim.
  • Desolate highways: The Ibn Ezra interprets this as a sign of societal collapse—roads once filled with travelers would become empty due to fear or lack of inhabitants.

Spiritual Meaning

The Sforno teaches that these punishments are not arbitrary but are middah k'neged middah (measure for measure). If Bnei Yisrael abandon Torah study—which is compared to "life" (Devarim 30:20)—they will be subjected to "wild beasts," representing chaos and destruction. Similarly, the desolation of roads symbolizes the breakdown of communal and spiritual pathways when mitzvos are neglected.

Connection to Repentance

The Talmud (Ta’anit 11a) discusses how suffering should prompt introspection and teshuvah (repentance). The Rambam (Hilchos Ta’anis 1:1-3) emphasizes that these calamities are meant to awaken people to return to Hashem. Thus, even in severity, the verse carries a message of hope—that through repentance, the curses can be reversed.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Ketubot 110b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the consequences of not living in the Land of Israel, emphasizing the severity of divine punishment.
📖 Bava Kamma 60a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the various forms of divine retribution, including the sending of wild beasts as a punishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 26:22 mean in simple terms?
A: Leviticus 26:22 is part of the 'Tochacha' (rebuke) where Hashem warns that if the Jewish people abandon the Torah, wild animals will attack, causing loss of children and livestock, reducing the population, and leaving roads empty. Rashi explains this as a consequence of neglecting mitzvot (commandments).
Q: Why does the Torah mention wild animals as a punishment?
A: The Midrash (Sifra) teaches that wild animals represent chaos and loss of divine protection. Normally, Hashem controls nature, but when people sin, this order breaks down. Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) explains that such punishments are meant to awaken people to repent and return to Torah observance.
Q: How does Leviticus 26:22 apply to us today?
A: While we may not experience literal wild animal attacks today, the verse teaches that abandoning Torah values leads to spiritual and societal decay. The Talmud (Berachot 5a) says suffering can be a wake-up call to improve our actions. Today, we must strengthen our commitment to mitzvot to avoid spiritual desolation.
Q: What is the significance of 'desolate highways' in this verse?
A: Rashi explains that empty roads symbolize isolation and the breakdown of community. When people fear travel due to danger (like wild beasts), commerce and social connections weaken. The Talmud (Shabbat 33a) connects this to the idea that sin leads to exile and loss of peaceful society.
Q: Does this verse mean Hashem wants to punish us?
A: No—the Torah (Devarim 8:5) compares divine discipline to a parent correcting a child. Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 7:1-5) explains that these warnings are acts of love, urging us to repent before consequences occur. The goal is always teshuvah (returning to Hashem), not punishment.