1) (Vayikra 26:14) ("And if you do not hearken to Me, and do not do all of these mitzvoth,") "And if you do not hearken to Me": if you do not hearken to the midrash (exposition) of the sages. I might think (that the intent is to what is written [in the Torah]) But in "these mitzvoth" what is written in the Torah is already stated. How, then, am I to understand "if you do not hearken"? (As referring) to the midrash of the sages. 2) "And if you do not hearken to Me": What is the intent of this ("to Me"). (The reference is to) one who knows his Master, but wilfully rebels against Him. Similarly, (Bereshith 13:13) "And the people of Sodom were evil and sinful to the L–rd exceedingly." Why need "to the L–rd" be stated? (The intent is) They knew their Master, and wilfully rebelled against Him. 3) "and you do not do": Is there a man who does not learn and does (the mitzvoth)? It is, therefore, written "if you do not hearken and you do not do" — Whoever does not learn does not do. Or is there a man who does not learn and does not do, but does not despise others (who do the mitzvoth)? It is, therefore, written (Bereshith 13:15) "and if My statutes you despise." Whoever does not learn and does not do, will despise others (who do the mitzvoth). Or is there a man who does not learn and does not do and despises others (who do the mitzvoth), but does not hate the sages? It is, therefore, written "and if My judgments, your souls abhor" — Whoever does not learn and does not do and despises others, in the end will hate the sages. Or is there a man who does not learn and does not do and despises others and hates the sages, but allows others to do? It is, therefore, written "not to do (all of My mitzvoth.") — Whoever does not learn and does not do and despises others and hates the sages, in the end, will not allow others to do. Or is there a man who does not learn and does not do and despises others and hates the sages and does not allow others to do, but acknowledges the mitzvoth pronounced from Sinai? It is, therefore, written "all of My mitzvoth." — Whoever does not learn and does not do and despises others and hates the sages and does not allow others to do, in the end will deny the mitzvoth pronounced from Sinai. Or is there a man who possesses all of these traits but does not deny his faith? It is, therefore, written "to break My covenant." — Whoever possesses all of these traits, in the end will break the faith.
Sifra Bechukotai Section 2
Tap any verse to see what it echoes — and start a chain or echo from it.