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Leviticus 26:25 - Divine justice for covenant betrayal

Leviticus 26:25 - ויקרא 26:25

Hebrew Text

וְהֵבֵאתִי עֲלֵיכֶם חֶרֶב נֹקֶמֶת נְקַם־בְּרִית וְנֶאֱסַפְתֶּם אֶל־עָרֵיכֶם וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי דֶבֶר בְּתוֹכְכֶם וְנִתַּתֶּם בְּיַד־אוֹיֵב׃

English Translation

And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge my covenant: and when you are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

Transliteration

Veheveti aleichem cherev nokemet nekam-brit vene'esaftem el-areichem veshilachti dever betochchem venitatem beyad-oyev.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י עֲלֵיכֶ֜ם חֶ֗רֶב נֹקֶ֙מֶת֙ נְקַם־בְּרִ֔ית וְנֶאֱסַפְתֶּ֖ם אֶל־עָרֵיכֶ֑ם וְשִׁלַּ֤חְתִּי דֶ֙בֶר֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם וְנִתַּתֶּ֖ם בְּיַד־אוֹיֵֽב׃
וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י עֲלֵיכֶ֜ם חֶ֗רֶב נֹקֶ֙מֶת֙ נְקַם־בְּרִ֔ית וְנֶאֱסַפְתֶּ֖ם אֶל־עָרֵיכֶ֑ם וְשִׁלַּ֤חְתִּי דֶ֙בֶר֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם וְנִתַּתֶּ֖ם בְּיַד־אוֹיֵֽב׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:25, within the Tochacha (Rebuke), a section detailing the consequences that will befall the Jewish people if they fail to uphold the covenant with Hashem. The Tochacha serves as a stark warning about the repercussions of abandoning Torah observance.

Explanation of the Verse

The verse describes a series of escalating punishments:

  • "And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge my covenant" – Rashi explains that this refers to war and bloodshed as a consequence of violating the covenant. The sword is not merely a physical weapon but a manifestation of divine retribution for forsaking the Torah.
  • "When you are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you" – The Ibn Ezra notes that even when seeking refuge in fortified cities, Hashem will bring plague (dever), demonstrating that no human defense can protect against divine decree.
  • "You shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy" – The Ramban explains that this is the ultimate consequence of straying from Hashem’s commandments: loss of sovereignty and subjugation to foreign powers.

Theological Implications

The Sforno emphasizes that these punishments are not arbitrary but are meant to awaken repentance. The phrase "nekam brit" ("avenge my covenant") underscores that these consequences stem from the violation of the sacred bond between Hashem and Israel. The covenant itself demands accountability.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Behukotai 4) teaches that the sword, pestilence, and enemy subjugation are interconnected—each intensifying the other. The sword leads to flight into cities, where pestilence strikes, and ultimately, the survivors fall into enemy hands. This progression illustrates the severity of divine justice when the Jewish people abandon Torah.

Halachic Perspective

The Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) derives from such verses that communal suffering should prompt introspection and repentance. The sword, plague, and enemy oppression serve as wake-up calls to return to Torah observance and mitzvot.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 26:25 mean in simple terms?
A: Leviticus 26:25 is part of the 'Tochacha' (rebuke), where Hashem warns the Jewish people of consequences if they abandon the covenant and mitzvot. This verse describes punishments like war, disease, and enemy conquest as a result of failing to uphold their commitment to Torah.
Q: Why is the word 'covenant' mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'covenant' refers to the eternal bond between Hashem and the Jewish people established at Mount Sinai (Rashi on Leviticus 26:25). The verse emphasizes that even the punishments come as a form of divine discipline—not abandonment—because Hashem remains faithful to the covenant despite our failures.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) teaches that hardships should inspire introspection and teshuvah (repentance). This verse reminds us that challenges—whether wars, plagues, or oppression—are opportunities to reaffirm our commitment to Torah and mitzvot.
Q: What is the significance of the punishments being sequential in this verse?
A: The Midrash (Sifra Bechukotai) explains that the progression—from war forcing people into cities, to disease in crowded spaces, to enemy conquest—shows escalating consequences meant to prompt repentance before the next stage occurs. Hashem gives opportunities to return at each step.
Q: Does this verse mean suffering is always a punishment?
A: Not necessarily. The Talmud (Berachot 5a) discusses how suffering can also be 'yissurim shel ahavah' (challenges of love) to elevate a person’s spiritual growth. However, collective suffering, as in this verse, often serves as a wake-up call for national teshuvah (Rambam, Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1).