One wonders about the terrible kelalot, the curses, in Parashat Bechukotai. Are they meant to be purely punishments for not observing the commandments of the Torah, or is the Torah hinting to something much deeper?

At first glance, it appears that they are indeed punishments. After stating all the blessings that we will receive for observing the commandments, the Torah continues:

“But if you do not hearken to Me and will not do all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes… I will appoint over you terror, consumption, and fever… and you shall sow your seed in vain… and you shall be slain before your enemies… and you shall flee when none pursues you… I will smite you sevenfold for your sins… I will send wild beasts among you…” (Vayikra 26:14–22)

“But if you do not hearken to Me and will not do all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes… I will appoint over you terror, consumption, and fever… and you shall sow your seed in vain… and you shall be slain before your enemies… and you shall flee when none pursues you… I will smite you sevenfold for your sins… I will send wild beasts among you…” (Vayikra 26:14–22)

These curses will befall the community when it refuses, as a community, to live by the commandments.

As one continues to read the devastating consequences that follow, one is struck by what seems to be a Divine overreaction. What infractions could possibly warrant such overwhelming devastation? After all, we are not speaking only of criminal offenses, but also of ritual ones.

The punishments seem out of proportion to the wrongdoing. It seems as if we are objects of  Divine revenge. How are we to reconcile this with God’s mercy?

When nature turns against us

We know that nature sometimes responds to human behavior in ways that lead to utter devastation.

Many natural disasters—earthquakes, tsunamis—are magnified by human irresponsibility. Nuclear leaks and industrial accidents can bring about widespread devastation. Today, pollution of the earth, sea, and sky affects the health of billions.

Some places on earth are so at risk that living there is as if being poised at the precipice of a volcano that may erupt at any moment.........

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