The warnings-rebukes of Bechukotai are harsh. Grim admonitions of war and famine, exile and persecution if the Jewish people will refuse to listen to God and keep the Torah. Yet, in the midst of all the darkness, a ray of light glimmers.
“I will make the land so desolate that [even] your enemies who live there will be astonished. I will scatter you among the nations, and keep the sword drawn against you. Your land will remain desolate, and your cities in ruins.” (Lev. 26:32-33)
The Ramban noted that a remarkable blessing lies hidden among all of these punishments.
“What it says, ‘your enemies who live there will be desolated’ (וְשָׁמְמוּ עָלֶיהָ אֹיְבֵיכֶם הַיֹּשְׁבִים בָּהּ) — this is, in fact, good news. It proclaims that during all of our exiles, our Land does not accept our enemies.
No comments:
Post a Comment