Does Torah Protect?

Instead of speculating, let's let the Torah speak for itself

Recently, Natan has been at it again. Seemingly in retaliation to our post Natan and the Purim Story, in typical fashion, Natan doubled down and posted a very ignorant yet self-assured post about the protection of Torah. The main point in his latest article was to complain about a psak from R. Yitzchok Zilberstein discouraging a yungerman to give up 45 hours a month in order to obtain a gun license to protect his local shul. But while discussing the topic, he let his hair down to reveal that he does not believe that there is any zechus in Torah protecting. At all. Or in his own words “Practically speaking, torah does NOT protect” (emphasis his). Apparently, he has a shocking ignorance of the very nature of Torah, and its tremendous benefits.

Natan refers back to an old post where he asserts that

(A) not at all what the Gemara is saying, according to several commentaries, and (B) not actually true.

Frankly, I was pretty horrified to see the shocking denial of very basic facts, that are clearly discussed all over Chazal, and not only Chazal, but in Nach and in the Torah¹ itself. In the beginning of Parshas Bechukosai, Rashi brings from Chazal who explain that the blessings described there are in the merit of the Jewish nation toiling in Torah, whereas the converse consequences are in result of laxity in Torah. But I guess that’s the benefit of preaching to an ignorant audience. You can basically sell them anything and they’ll eat it up like candy.

In the post, Natan asserts that

According the rationalist approach, learning Torah imparts valuable knowledge, improves our character, and teaches us how to improve society (see my post on The Rishonim on Torah Study.)² That is it, and that is all. Which is not, of course, to trivialize these functions - from a rationalist perspective, these are of immense importance! With the rise of mysticism, on the other hand, came a new and primary function of Torah study. As expressed by R. Chaim of Volozhin in Nefesh HaChaim, the primary function of Torah study was now seen as being to create spiritual energies and thereby metaphysically influence the universe.

No need to point out the obvious, but Natan's smug ignorance and condescending dismissal of one of the most significant links in the mesoras HaTorah in the past 250 years leaves no doubt that he is completely unreliable when it comes to conveying the Torah's opinion.

Throughout many posts, Natan purports to speak in the name of “classic Judaism” – of course without showing any sources - and claims that this is also the “rationalist” approach. So I’ve culled together a couple statements from Chazal about Torah study’s bearing on the physical world to let “classic Judaism” speak for itself:

Talmud Bavli

Berachos, 13a

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא: הָכִי אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כָּל הַמַּשְׂבִּיעַ עַצְמוֹ מִדִּבְרֵי תּוֹרָה וְלָן — אֵין מְבַשְּׂרִין אוֹתוֹ בְּשׂוֹרוֹת רָעוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְשָׂבֵעַ יָלִין בַּל יִפָּקֶד רָע״.

Rav Aḥa, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba, said to him: Rabbi Ḥiyya said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said as follows: Anyone who fills himself with matters of Torah and goes to sleep, they do not deliver evil tidings to him, as it is stated: “He who lies satisfied, will not be visited by evil.”

Berachos, 64a

אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים מַרְבִּים שָׁלוֹם בָּעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְכׇל בָּנַיִךְ לִמּוּדֵי ה׳ וְרַב שְׁלוֹם בָּנָיִךְ" אַל תִּקְרֵי ״בָּנָיִךְ״ אֶלָּא ״בּוֹנָיִךְ״. ״שָׁלוֹם רָב לְאֹהֲבֵי תוֹרָתֶךָ וְאֵין לָמוֹ מִכְשׁוֹל״. ״יְהִי שָׁלוֹם בְּחֵילֵךְ שַׁלְוָה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָיִךְ״. ״לְמַעַן אַחַי וְרֵעָי אֲדַבְּרָה נָּא שָׁלוֹם בָּךְ. לְמַעַן בֵּית ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֲבַקְשָׁה טוֹב לָךְ״. ״ה׳ עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן ה׳ יְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם״.

Rabbi Elazar said that Rabbi Ḥanina said: Torah scholars increase peace in the world, as it is said: “And all your children [banayikh] shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13). If all the children of Israel are taught of the Lord, there will be peace for all. The Sages interpreted this verse homiletically: Do not read your children [banayikh], but your builders [bonayikh]. Torah scholars are those who build peace for their generation. As it is stated: “Those who love Your Torah have great peace; there is no stumbling block for them” (Psalms 119:165); and “May there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your palaces” (Psalms 122:7), because: “For the sake of my brothers and friends, I shall say: Peace be within you. For the sake of the House of the Lord, our God, I will seek your good” (Psalms 122:8–9), and “May the Lord give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace”³ (Psalms 29:11).

Shabbos, 30b

…כׇּל יוֹמָא דְשַׁבְּתָא הֲוָה יָתֵיב וְגָרֵיס כּוּלֵּי יוֹמָא. הַהוּא יוֹמָא דְּבָעֵי לְמֵינַח נַפְשֵׁיהּ, קָם מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת קַמֵּיהּ וְלָא יְכִיל לֵיהּ, דְּלָא הֲוָה פָּסֵק פּוּמֵּיהּ מִגִּירְסָא. אֲמַר: מַאי אַעֲבֵיד לֵיהּ? הֲוָה לֵיהּ בּוּסְתָּנָא אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּיתֵיהּ, אֲתָא מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת סָלֵיק וּבָחֵישׁ בְּאִילָנֵי. נְפַק לְמִיחְזֵי. הֲוָה סָלֵיק בְּדַרְגָּא, אִיפְּחִית דַּרְגָּא מִתּוּתֵיהּ, אִישְׁתִּיק וְנָח נַפְשֵׁיהּ.

…What did David do? Every Shabbat he would sit and learn all day long to protect himself from the Angel of Death. On that day on which the Angel of Death was supposed to put his soul to rest, the day on which David was supposed to die, the Angel of Death stood before him and was unable to overcome him because his mouth did not pause from study. The Angel of Death said: What shall I do to him? David had a garden [bustana] behind his house; the Angel of Death came, climbed, and shook the trees. David went out to see. As he climbed the stair, the stair broke beneath him. He was startled and was silent, interrupted his studies for a moment, and died.

Eruvin, 18b

וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל בַּיִת שֶׁנִּשְׁמָעִין בּוֹ דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה בַּלַּיְלָה, שׁוּב אֵינוֹ נֶחְרָב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלֹא אָמַר אַיֵּה אֱלוֹהַּ עוֹשָׂי נוֹתֵן זְמִירוֹת בַּלָּיְלָה״.

And Rabbi Yirmeya ben Elazar also said: Any house in which the words of Torah are heard at night will never be destroyed, as it is stated: “But none says: Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night” (Job 35:10). The verse implies that one who sings songs of Torah in his house at night will not need to lament the destruction of his home.

Megillah, 3a

וַעֲבוֹדָה חֲמוּרָה מִתַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה? וְהָכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי בִּהְיוֹת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּירִיחוֹ וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה אִישׁ עוֹמֵד לְנֶגְדּוֹ [וְגוֹ׳] וַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ (לְאַפָּיו)״ אָמַר לוֹ: אֶמֶשׁ בִּטַּלְתֶּם תָּמִיד שֶׁל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, וְעַכְשָׁיו בִּטַּלְתֶּם תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה. אָמַר לוֹ: עַל אֵיזֶה מֵהֶן בָּאתָ? אָמַר לוֹ: ״עַתָּה בָאתִי״, מִיָּד: ״וַיָּלֶן יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא בְּתוֹךְ הָעֵמֶק״, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלָּן בְּעוּמְקָהּ שֶׁל הֲלָכָה. וְאָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אוּנְיָא: גָּדוֹל תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה יוֹתֵר מֵהַקְרָבַת תְּמִידִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עַתָּה בָאתִי״! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא דְּרַבִּים, וְהָא דְּיָחִיד.:״…

The Gemara asks: Is the Temple service more important than Torah study? Isn’t it written: “And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood over against him with his sword drawn in his hand. And Joshua went over to him and said to him: Are you for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, No, but I am captain of the host of the Lord, I have come now. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down” (Joshua 5:13–14)… As for the angel’s mission, the Gemara explains that the angel said to Joshua: Yesterday, i.e., during the afternoon, you neglected the afternoon daily offering due to the impending battle, and now, at night, you have neglected Torah study, and I have come to rebuke you. Joshua said to him: For which of these sins have you come? He said to him: I have come now, indicating that neglecting Torah study is more severe than neglecting to sacrifice the daily offering. Joshua immediately determined to rectify the matter, as the verses states: “And Joshua lodged that night” (Joshua 8:9) “in the midst of the valley [ha’emek]” (Joshua 8:13), and Rabbi Yoḥanan said: This teaches that he spent the night in the depths [be’umeka] of halakha, i.e., that he spent the night studying Torah with the Jewish people. And Rav Shmuel bar Unya said: Torah study is greater than sacrificing the daily offerings, as it is stated: “I have come now” (Joshua 5:14), indicating that the angel came to rebuke Joshua for neglecting Torah study and not for neglecting the daily offering. Consequently, how did the Sages of the house of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi determine that the Temple service is more important than Torah study? The Gemara explains that it is not difficult. This statement, with regard to the story of Joshua, is referring to Torah study by the masses, which is greater than the Temple service. That statement of the Sages of the house of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi is referring to Torah study by an individual, which is less significant than the Temple service.

Megillah, 11a

״כִּי עֲבָדִים אֲנַחְנוּ וּבְעַבְדוּתֵנוּ לֹא עֲזָבָנוּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וַיַּט עָלֵינוּ חֶסֶד לִפְנֵי מַלְכֵי פָרַס״, אֵימָתַי — בִּזְמַן הָמָן… רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר פָּתַח לֵהּ פִּתְחָא לְהָא פָּרַשְׁתָּא מֵהָכָא: ״בַּעֲצַלְתַּיִם יִמַּךְ הַמְּקָרֶה וּבְשִׁפְלוּת יָדַיִם יִדְלוֹף הַבָּיִת״, בִּשְׁבִיל עַצְלוּת שֶׁהָיָה לָהֶם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁלֹּא עָסְקוּ בַּתּוֹרָה, נַעֲשָׂה שׂוֹנְאוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מָךְ. וְאֵין ״מָךְ״ אֶלָּא עָנִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאִם מָךְ הוּא מֵעֶרְכֶּךָ״, וְאֵין ״מְקָרֶה״ אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַמְקָרֶה בַמַּיִם עֲלִיּוֹתָיו״.…

“For we are bondmen; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia” (Ezra 9:9). When did this occur? In the time of Haman… Rabbi Elazar introduced this passage with an introduction from here: “Through laziness the rafters [hamekare] sink in [yimakh]; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks” (Ecclesiastes 10:18). Rabbi Elazar interprets the verse homiletically: Through the laziness of the Jewish people, who did not occupy themselves with Torah study, the enemy of the Holy One, Blessed be He, a euphemism for God Himself, became poor [makh], so that, as it were, He was unable to help them, as makh is nothing other than poor, as it is stated: “But if he be too poor [makh] for the valuation” (Leviticus 27:8). And the word mekare in the verse is referring to no one other than the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “Who lays the beams [hamekare] of His chambers in the waters” (Psalms 104:3).

Kesubos, 77b

מַכְרִיז רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הִזָּהֲרוּ מִזְּבוּבֵי (שֶׁל) בַּעֲלֵי רָאתָן. רַבִּי זֵירָא לָא הֲוָה יָתֵיב בְּזִיקֵיהּ. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר לָא עָיֵיל בְּאֻהְלֵיהּ. רַבִּי אַמֵּי וְרַבִּי אַסִּי לָא הֲווֹ אָכְלִי מִבֵּיעֵי דְּהָהִיא מְבוֹאָה. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי מִיכְרָךְ בְּהוּ וְעָסֵיק בַּתּוֹרָה. אָמַר: ״אַיֶּלֶת אֲהָבִים וְיַעֲלַת חֵן״, אִם חֵן מַעֲלָה עַל לוֹמְדֶיהָ, אַגּוֹנֵי לָא מַגְּנָא?

Rabbi Yoḥanan would announce: Be careful of the flies found on those afflicted with ra’atan, as they are carriers of the disease. Rabbi Zeira would not sit in a spot where the wind blew from the direction of someone afflicted with ra’atan. Rabbi Elazar would not enter the tent of one afflicted with ra’atan, and Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Asi would not eat eggs from an alley in which someone afflicted with ra’atan lived. Conversely, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi would attach himself to them and study Torah, saying as justification the verse: “The Torah is a loving hind and a graceful doe” (Proverbs 5:19). If it bestows grace on those who learn it, does it not protect them from illness?

Sota, 21a

אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף מִצְוָה בְּעִידָּנָא דְּעָסֵיק בָּהּ מַגְּנָא וּמַצְּלָא בְּעִידָּנָא דְּלָא עָסֵיק בָּהּ אַגּוֹנֵי מַגְּנָא אַצּוֹלֵי לָא מַצְּלָא תּוֹרָה בֵּין בְּעִידָּנָא דְּעָסֵיק בָּהּ וּבֵין בְּעִידָּנָא דְּלָא עָסֵיק בָּהּ מַגְּנָא וּמַצְּלָא מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַבָּה אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה דּוֹאֵג וַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל מִי לָא עָסְקִי בְּתוֹרָה אַמַּאי לָא הֵגֵינָּה עֲלַיְיהוּ אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא תּוֹרָה בְּעִידָּנָא דְּעָסֵיק בָּהּ מַגְּנָא וּמַצְּלָא בְּעִידָּנָא דְּלָא עָסֵיק בָּהּ אַגּוֹנֵי מַגְּנָא אַצּוֹלֵי לָא מַצְּלָא מִצְוָה בֵּין בְּעִידָּנָא דְּעָסֵיק בָּהּ בֵּין בְּעִידָּנָא דְּלָא עָסֵיק בָּהּ אַגּוֹנֵי מַגְּנָא אַצּוֹלֵי לָא מַצְּלָא

Rav Yosef said that with regard to a mitzva, at the time when one is engaged in its performance it protects one from misfortune and saves one from the evil inclination; at the time when one is not engaged in its performance, it protects one from misfortune but it does not save one from the evil inclination. With regard to Torah study, both at the time when one is engaged in it and at the time when one is not engaged in it, it protects one from misfortune and saves one from the evil inclination. Rabba objects to this explanation: If that is so, then with regard to Doeg (see I Samuel, chapters 21–22) and Ahithophel (see II Samuel, chapter 16), who were both wise scholars despite their wickedness, did they not engage in the study of Torah? Why did it not protect them from sinning? Rather, Rava said: With regard to Torah study, at the time when one is engaged in it, it protects and saves; at the time when one is not engaged in it, it protects one from misfortune but it does not save one from the evil inclination. With regard to a mitzva, both at the time when one is engaged in its performance and at the time when one is not engaged in its performance, it protects one from misfortune but it does not save one from the evil inclination.

Bava Metzia, 86a

שדרו שליחא בתריה לא הוה מצי מלאך המות למקרב ליה מדלא הוה קא פסיק פומיה מגרסיה אדהכי נשב זיקא ואויש ביני קני סבר גונדא דפרשי הוא אמר תינח נפשיה דההוא גברא ולא ימסר בידא דמלכותא

They sent a messenger from heaven after him to take his soul up to the heavenly academy, but the Angel of Death was unable to approach Rabba bar Naḥmani, as his mouth did not cease from his Torah study. In the meantime, a wind blew and howled between the branches. Rabba bar Naḥmani thought that the noise was due to an infantry battalion [gunda] about to capture him. He said: Let that man, i.e., me, die and not be given over to the hands of the government. The Angel of Death was therefore able to take his soul.

Bava Basra, 7b

רַבִּי יְהוּדָה נְשִׂיאָה רְמָא דְּשׁוּרָא אַדְּרַבָּנַן אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ רַבָּנַן לָא צְרִיכִי נְטִירוּתָא דִּכְתִיב אֶסְפְּרֵם מֵחוֹל יִרְבּוּן אֶסְפְּרֵם לְמַאן אִילֵימָא לְצַדִּיקִים דִּנְפִישִׁי מֵחָלָא הַשְׁתָּא כּוּלְּהוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל כְּתִיב בְּהוּ כַּחוֹל אֲשֶׁר עַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם צַדִּיקִים עַצְמָם מֵחוֹל יִרְבּוּן אֶלָּא הָכִי קָאָמַר אֶסְפְּרֵם לְמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים מֵחוֹל יִרְבּוּן וְקַל וָחוֹמֶר וּמָה חוֹל שֶׁמּוּעָט מֵגֵין עַל הַיָּם מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים שֶׁהֵם מְרוּבִּים לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן שֶׁמְּגִינִּים עֲלֵיהֶם כִּי אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אֲמַר לֵיהּ מַאי טַעְמָא לָא תֵּימָא לֵיהּ מֵהָא אֲנִי חוֹמָה וְשָׁדַי כַּמִּגְדָּלוֹת אֲנִי חוֹמָה זוֹ תּוֹרָה וְשָׁדַי כַּמִּגְדָּלוֹת אֵלּוּ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים וְרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ סָבַר לַהּ כִּדְדָרֵשׁ רָבָא אֲנִי חוֹמָה זוֹ כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל וְשָׁדַי כַּמִּגְדָּלוֹת אֵלּוּ בָּתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת

§ It is related that Rabbi Yehuda Nesia once imposed payment of the tax for the wall even on the Sages. Reish Lakish said to him: The Sages do not require protection, as it is written: “How precious are your dear ones to me, O God…If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand” (Psalms 139:17–18). If I should count whom? If we say this is referring to the righteous, and the verse is saying that they are greater in number than the grains of sand, this is difficult. Now if it is written about all of Israel: “As the sand which is upon the seashore” (Genesis 22:17), can the righteous themselves, who are a part of Israel, be greater in number than the grains of sand? How can they possibly outnumber the grains of sand upon the seashore? Rather, this is what the verse is saying: If I should count the deeds of the righteous, they are greater in number than the grains of sand. And it follows by an a fortiori inference: If the grains of sand, which are fewer in number, protect the shore from the sea, barring it from flowing inland (see Jeremiah 5:22), do not all the more so the deeds of the righteous, which are greater in number, protect them? Consequently the Sages do not need additional protection. When Reish Lakish came before Rabbi Yoḥanan and reported the exchange to him, Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: What is the reason that you did not quote this verse to him: “I am a wall and my breasts are like towers” (Song of Songs 8:10), which may be explained as follows: “I am a wall”; this is referring to the Torah. “And my breasts are like towers”; these are Torah scholars, and towers do not require additional protection? The Gemara comments: And Reish Lakish, who did not cite this verse, holds in accordance with the way that Rava expounded the verse: “I am a wall”; this is referring to the Congregation of Israel. “And my breasts are like towers”; these are the synagogues and study halls.

Sanhedrin, 99b

אפיקורוס כגון מאן אמר רב יוסף כגון הני דאמרי מאי אהנו לן רבנן לדידהו קרו לדידהו תנו אמר ליה אביי האי מגלה פנים בתורה נמי הוא דכתיב (ירמיהו לג, כה) אם לא בריתי יומם ולילה חקות שמים וארץ לא שמתי אמר רב נחמן בר יצחק מהכא נמי שמע מינה שנאמר (בראשית יח, כו) ונשאתי לכל המקום בעבורם

How would he characterize the epikoros mentioned in the mishna? Like whom does he conduct himself? Rav Yosef says: It is referring to one who conducts himself like those who say: In what manner have the Sages benefited us with all their Torah study? They read the Bible for their own benefit and they study the Mishna for their own benefit. Abaye said to him: That person who questions the benefit provided by Sages is also in the category of one who interprets the Torah inappropriately, since with that statement he repudiates the Torah itself, as it is written: “If not for My covenant, I would not have appointed day and night, the laws of heaven and earth” (Jeremiah 33:25).

Rashi

מאי אהני לן - והם אינן יודעין שעולם מתקיים עליהם:

How do they benefit us - and they don’t know that the world only exists in the merit of the Torah scholars.

אם לא בריתי יומם ולילה וגו' - שמהנין לעולם ומקיימין [אותו] והוא אומר דלא מהני מידי:

‘If not for my covenant, I would not have appointed day and night - they benefit the world and cause it to exist and he says that they do not do anything.

Makkos, 10a

א"ר יוחנן הרב שגלה מגלין ישיבתו עמו איני והא א"ר יוחנן מנין לדברי תורה שהן קולטין שנאמר (דברים ד, מג) את בצר במדבר וגו' [וכתיב בתריה] (דברים ד, מד) וזאת התורה לא קשיא הא בעידנא דעסיק בה הא בעידנא דלא עסיק בה ואי בעית אימא מאי קולטין ממלאך המות כי הא דרב חסדא הוה יתיב וגריס בבי רב ולא הוה קא יכול שליחא [דמלאכא דמותא] למיקרב לגביה דלא הוה שתיק פומיה מגירסא סליק ויתיב אארזא דבי רב פקע ארזא ושתיק ויכיל ליה

Rabbi Yoḥanan says: In the case of a teacher of Torah who was exiled, his school is exiled with him. The Gemara asks: Is that so that a teacher of Torah is exiled? But doesn’t Rabbi Yoḥanan himself say: From where is it derived that matters of Torah provide refuge, i.e., that the blood redeemer may not harm one who is engaged in Torah? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “Bezer in the wilderness, in the flatlands, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites” (Deuteronomy 4:43), in the list of cities of refuge designated by Moses, and it is written thereafter: “And this is the Torah” (Deuteronomy 4:44). Based on that juxtaposition it is derived that the status of Torah is like that of a city of refuge. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult, as this statement of Rabbi Yoḥanan, that the status of Torah is like that of a city of refuge, is referring to Torah at the time that one is engaged in its study, and that statement of Rabbi Yoḥanan, that the teacher of Torah must take his school to the city of refuge, is referring to the teacher of Torah at the time that he is not engaged in its study. His mere presence in a city of refuge provides him with continuous protection. And if you wish, say: What is the meaning of Rabbi Yoḥanan’s statement that matters of Torah provide refuge? It means protection, but not for an unintentional murderer from the blood redeemer; rather, it means protection from the Angel of Death. This is as it was in this incident where Rav Ḥisda was sitting and studying in the study hall of Rav and the agent of the Angel of Death was unable to approach him and take his life because his mouth was not silent from his study for even a moment. The agent ascended and sat on the cedar tree of the study hall of Rav. The cedar tree broke and Rav Ḥisda was momentarily silent, startled by the sudden noise, and the agent of the Angel of Death overcame him. Apparently, matters of Torah provide protection from the Angel of Death only when one is actively engaged in their study.

***

א"ר יהושע בן לוי מאי דכתיב (תהלים קכב, ב) עומדות היו רגלינו בשעריך ירושלם מי גרם לרגלינו שיעמדו במלחמה שערי ירושלם שהיו עוסקים בתורה

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Our feet were standing in your gates, Jerusalem” (Psalms 122:2)? What caused our feet to withstand the enemies in war? It is the gates of Jerusalem, where they were engaged in Torah study.

Talmud Yerushalmi

Rosh Hashanah 3:8

וְתַשְׁלֵ֤ךְ אֱמֶת֙ אַ֔רְצָה. אֵימָתַי שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל מַשְׁלִיכִין דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה לָאָרֶץ הַמַּלְכוּת הָ‍ֽרְשָׁעָה הַזֹּאת גוֹזֶרֶת וּמַצְלַחַת. מַה טַעַם. וְתַשְׁלֵ֤ךְ אֱמֶת֙ אַ֔רְצָה וְעָשְׂתָ֖ה וְהִצְלִ‍ֽיחָה׃ וְאֵין אֱמֶת אֶלָּא תוֹרָה. הֵיךְ מַה דְאַתְּ אָמַר אֱמֶ֣ת קְ֭נֵה וְאַל־תִּמְכּוֹר חָכְמָ֖ה וּמוּסָ֣ר וּבִינָ‍ֽה. אָמַר רִבִּי יוּדָה בַּר פָּזִי. זָנַ֥ח יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל ט֑וֹב אוֹיֵ֖ב יִרְדְּפ‍ֽוֹ׃ וְאֵין טוֹב אֶלָּא תוֹרָה. הֵיךְ מַה דְאַתְּ אָמַר כִּ֤י לֶ֣קַח ט֭וֹב נָתַ֣תִּי לָכֶ֑ם תּ֝‍ֽוֹרָתִ֗י אַל תַּעֲזוֹבוּ:

And truth will be thrown to the ground; anytime that Israel throws the words of the Torah to the ground, this evil government decides and succeeds. What is the reason? It threw truth to the ground, did, and succeeded. And there is no truth like Torah, as you are saying, buy truth and do not sell, wisdom, ethics, and insight. Rebbi Jehudah bar Pazi said, Israel has neglected the good, an enemy will pursue it, and there is no good but the Torah, as you are saying, for a good acquisition I gave to you, do not abandon my Torah.

Chagiga, 1:7

רִבִּי יוּדָן נְשִׂייָא שְׁלַח לְרִבִּי חִייָה וּלְרִבִּי אַסִּי וּלְרִבִּי אִמִּי לְמִיעֲבוֹר בַּקִּרֵייָתָא דְּאַרְעָא דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל לִמְתַקְנָא לוֹן סָֽפְרִין וּמַתְנִייָנִין. עֲלוֹן לְחַד אֲתַר וְלָא אַשְׁכְּחוֹן לָא סְפַר וְלָא מַתְנִייָן. אָֽמְרִין לוֹן. אַייתוֹן לָן נְטוּרֵי קַרְתָּא. אַייְתוֹן לוֹן סַנְטוּרֵי קַרְתָּא. אָֽמְרוּן לוֹן. אֵילֵּין אֵינּוּן נְטוּרֵי קַרְתָּא. לֵית אֵילֵּין אֶלָּא חָרוּבֵי קַרְתָּא. אָֽמְרוּן לוֹן. וּמָאן אִינּוּן נְטוּרֵי קַרְתָּא. אָֽמְרוּן לוֹן. סַפְרַייָא וּמַתְנִייָנַיָּא. הָדָא הִיא דִּכְתִיב אִם י֙י לֹא־יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת וגו׳.

Rebbi Judah the Prince sent Rebbi Ḥiyya, Rebbi Assi, and Rebbi Immi to tour the towns of the Land of Israel in order to give them Bible and Mishnah teachers. They came to one place where they found neither Bible nor Mishnah teacher. They said to them, bring us the watchmen of the town. They brought them the stewards of the town. They told them, these are not the watchmen of the town, they are the destroyers of the town. They asked them, and who would be the watchmen of the town? They told them, the Bible and Mishnah teachers. That is what is written, if the Eternal would not build the house, etc.

Midrash Rabba

Toldos, 65

אמר ר' אבא בר כהנה, לא עמדו פילוסופין בעולם כבלעם בן בעור וכאבנומוס הגרדי, אבנומוס הגרדי נתכנסו כל אומות העולם אצלו, אמרו לו, תאמר שאנו יכולים להזדווג לאומה זו, אמר לכו וחזרו על בתי כניסיות ובתי מדרשות שלהן, אם מצאתם שם תינוקות מצפצפין בקולן, אינכם יכולין להם, אם לאו, אתם יכולין, שכך הבטיחן אביהן, הקול קול יעקב, בזמן שיעקב מצווצי בבתי כניסיות - אין ידים לעשו.

Rabba the son of Kahana said, there have never been wise men amongst the nations like Bilaam the son of Be’or and Avnimus HaGardi⁴. All the nations of the world entered to him and asked him, will we be successful in engaging with the Jewish nation? He told them, go and look at their synagogues and study halls. If you find the children chirping with their voices [in Torah study], you will not be successful, but if not, you will be successful. As such has their father promised them, the voice is the voice of Ya'akov, and the hands are the of Esav. When the voice of Ya'akov is found in Trah study, the Esav does not have the power of his hands.

Midrash Tanchuma

B’shalach, 25

וַיָּבֹא עֲמָלֵק וַיִּלָּחֶם עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן חִסְמָא אוֹמֵר: מִקְרָא זֶה רָשׁוּם וּמְפֹרָשׁ הוּא עַל יְדֵי אִיּוֹב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: הֲיִגְאֶה גֹּמֶא בְּלֹא בִצָּה וְגוֹ' (איוב ח, יא). כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר, כָּךְ אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְיִשְׂרָאֵל לִחְיוֹת אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן מִתְעַסְּקִין בְּדִבְרֵי תּוֹרָה. וּלְפִי שֶׁפֵּרְשׁוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִדִּבְרֵי תּוֹרָה, לְפִיכָךְ הַשּׂוֹנֵא בָּא עֲלֵיהֶם. וּלְעוֹלָם אֵין הַשּׂוֹנֵא בָּא אֶלָּא עַל הַחֵטְא וְעַל הָעֲבֵרָה. לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר וַיָּבֹא עֲמָלֵק.

Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim (Exod. 17:8). R. Eliezer the son of Hisma said: This verse should be understood and interpreted in relation to the verse quoted in Job: Can the rush shoot up without mire? Can the reed grass grow without water? (Job 1:11). Just as that is impossible, so is it impossible for Israel to survive unless the people devote themselves to the study of Torah. It was because Israel turned away from the Torah that the enemy attacked them. Indeed, the enemy attacked them only as a consequence of their sins and transgressions. Hence it says: Then came Amalek.

***

אֲחֵרִים אוֹמְרִים: אֵין רְפִידִים אֶלָּא שֶׁרָפוּ יְדֵיהֶם מִן הַתּוֹרָה, וּלְפִיכָךְ עֲמָלֵק בָּא עֲלֵיהֶם. וְכֵן אַתְּ מוֹצֵא, שֶׁאֵין הַשּׂוֹנֵא בָּא אֶלָּא עַל יְדֵי רִפְיוֹן יָדַיִם מִן הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וַיְהִי כְּהָכִין מַלְכוּת רְחַבְעָם וּכְחֶזְקָתוֹ עָזַב אֶת תּוֹרַת ה' וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל עִמּוֹ (דה״‎ב יב, א). וּמֶה עָנְשׁוֹ? עָלָה שִׁישַׁק מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם עַל יְרוּשָׁלָיִם, וַיִּקַּח אֶת כָּל מָגִנֵּי הַזָּהָב אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה שְׁלֹמֹה (מלכים א יד, כה-כו).

Others say that refidim (Rephidim) means that their hands became lax (sherafu yedehem) in upholding the law. Therefore Amalek attacked them. Hence you find that the enemy attacks Israel because it becomes lax in Torah, as it is said: And it came to pass, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the Torah of the Lord, and all Israel with him (II Chron. 12:1). What was his punishment? Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem; and he took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king’s house; he even took away all; and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made (I Kings 14:25).

Tana D’bei Eliyahu Zuta, 5

בכל יום יוצאים מלאכי חבלה לפני הקב"ה לחבל את כל העולם כולו ואלמלא בתי כנסיות ובתי מדרשות שהיו תלמידי חכמים יושבין בהם ועוסקין בדברי תורה היו מחבלין את כל העולם כלו מיד

Every day, destruction angels go out in front of Hashem to destroy the world, and if not for the synagogues and study halls in which Torah scholars sit and toil in Torah, they would destroy the entire world immediately.

Oh, well. So much for being a Charedi invention.

Natan is very excited about his “knockout” question, if Torah does protect, then why do we find that there were attacks in shuls? Also, why did Yeshivos leave “dangerous” cities?

As we have shown from the ma’amarei chazal above, there are three different aspects of protection of Torah –

1. That which the spiritual well-being of the Jewish nation is improved, and their physical safety be extension. This is evident generally from the entire Tanach and many places in Chazal (see specifically Berachos 64a, Megillah 11a, Makkos 10a, Yerushalmi Rosh Hashana 3:8, Midrash Tanchuma B'shalach 25, Tana D'bei Eliyahu Zuta 5)⁵. In the merit of the study of Torah, Klal Yisroel as a whole is protected.

2. There is another level where the Torah learner himself is protected, and depending on his merit, those who are in his vicinity as well. This is evident from many of the sources brought above (specifically Sota 21a, Bava Basra 7b, Makkos 10a, Talmud Yerushalmi and Chagiga 1:7). The general idea of the righteous protecting themselves and their locality is evident from the narrative of the destruction of Sodom (Genesis.18.23-33)

3. In addition, we find that there seems to be a specific level of extra protection at the actual moment when one is studying Torah. Although the Gemara in Sotah says that the Zechus HaTorah protects even not at the actual moment when one is studying Torah, that was not enough for Dovid Hamelech who’s time had come (see the gemara in Shabbos 30b and Bava Metzia 86a). As long as he was learning, the Malach Hamoves had no power over him. The Malach Hamoves only needed to distract him for a millisecond (by startling him with a loud noise in order to overpower him).

Obviously, in general when discussing Torah as a protection, the third level is not what we are discussing.⁶ The Torah makes it clear that even Torah scholars should not rely on their Torah to protect themselves in a dangerous place or situation, but should seek safety. There is a rule that we do not rely on miracles, especially open miracles (Taanis 20b). If every war zone that a Torah student went, bombs would immediately stop falling, that would be a miracle. That’s why asking how it's possible that Torah students are killed, or why Torah students are required to flee dangerous war zones, is pretty ridiculous. As other commenters have pointed out, it’s like asking how it’s possible that someone with a gun was ever killed. It does not say in any of the sources that the global protection of Torah learning is full-proof and makes one invincible.

Natan seems to think that there is empirical evidence that Torah does not protect. Clearly, this is blatantly false. As a scientist he should know that the only way to show empirical evidence would be to study the difference of Israel with the merit of Torah study vs. Israel without the merit of Torah study. B”H, Chareidi Jewry has resisted the push from those like Natan since the inception of the state and there has always been serious Torah study, throughout all the wars and travails that the state has gone through. Even many of the secular admit that there have been open miracles throughout Israel’s history, the Six Day Way, the Yom Kippur War, amongst many other stunning victories. I can guarantee you that these miracles were not in the merit of the mechalelei Shabbos and boa’lei Niddos. As we have shown in the sources above, the Torah is abundantly clear that in the merit of those devoted to Torah and mitzvos, klal Yisroel merits to see a salvation.

Natan really has some good things going for him. He has this awesome ark collection and is currently contemplating whether to put dinos in his planned life-size model. But serious Torah scholarship is clearly above his paygrade.

1. There are quite literally hundreds if not thousands of sources throughout Tanach that the physical wellbeing of the Jewish people is directly intertwined with their spiritual level. By and large, Chareidim are by far the most meticulous in keeping to Torah and Halacha. This is not to say that all Chareidim are saints, which is obviously far from true, nor is it to insinuate that dikduk b’mitzvos are exclusively within the domain of Chareidim. There are B”H plenty of right-wing Dati-Le’umi and MODOX that are also careful with halacha and can also claim credit for dikduk hamitzvos. Yet Natan and his ilk of left-wing MODOX who are not into the Halachah thing are a drain on the safety of Israel. In this article, we are going to focus on specifically on the topic at hand, which is limud HaTorah, but in this footnote we will attempt to provide a sampling from Tanach on how Natan and his friends are endangering the state while the Chareidim are in fact protecting it.

Exodus.15.26

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ אִם־שָׁמ֨וֹעַ תִּשְׁמַ֜ע לְק֣וֹל ׀ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ וְהַיָּשָׁ֤ר בְּעֵינָיו֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה וְהַֽאֲזַנְתָּ֙ לְמִצְוֺתָ֔יו וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֖ כׇּל־חֻקָּ֑יו כׇּֽל־הַמַּחֲלָ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־שַׂ֤מְתִּי בְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙ לֹא־אָשִׂ֣ים עָלֶ֔יךָ כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה רֹפְאֶֽךָ׃

Leviticus.26.3-8

אִם־בְּחֻקֹּתַ֖י תֵּלֵ֑כוּ וְאֶת־מִצְוֺתַ֣י תִּשְׁמְר֔וּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָֽם׃

וְנָתַתִּ֥י גִשְׁמֵיכֶ֖ם בְּעִתָּ֑ם וְנָתְנָ֤ה הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ יְבוּלָ֔הּ וְעֵ֥ץ הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה יִתֵּ֥ן פִּרְיֽוֹ׃

וְהִשִּׂ֨יג לָכֶ֥ם דַּ֙יִשׁ֙ אֶת־בָּצִ֔יר וּבָצִ֖יר יַשִּׂ֣יג אֶת־זָ֑רַע וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם לַחְמְכֶם֙ לָשֹׂ֔בַע וִֽישַׁבְתֶּ֥ם לָבֶ֖טַח בְּאַרְצְכֶֽם׃

וְנָתַתִּ֤י שָׁלוֹם֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּשְׁכַבְתֶּ֖ם וְאֵ֣ין מַחֲרִ֑יד וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֞י חַיָּ֤ה רָעָה֙ מִן־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְחֶ֖רֶב לֹא־תַעֲבֹ֥ר בְּאַרְצְכֶֽם׃

וּרְדַפְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם וְנָפְל֥וּ לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם לֶחָֽרֶב׃

וְרָדְפ֨וּ מִכֶּ֤ם חֲמִשָּׁה֙ מֵאָ֔ה וּמֵאָ֥ה מִכֶּ֖ם רְבָבָ֣ה יִרְדֹּ֑פוּ וְנָפְל֧וּ אֹיְבֵיכֶ֛ם לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם לֶחָֽרֶב׃

Deuteronomy.8.11-20

הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֔ פֶּן־תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לְבִלְתִּ֨י שְׁמֹ֤ר מִצְוֺתָיו֙ וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֣יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּֽוֹם׃

פֶּן־תֹּאכַ֖ל וְשָׂבָ֑עְתָּ וּבָתִּ֥ים טוֹבִ֛ים תִּבְנֶ֖ה וְיָשָֽׁבְתָּ׃

וּבְקָֽרְךָ֤ וְצֹֽאנְךָ֙ יִרְבְּיֻ֔ן וְכֶ֥סֶף וְזָהָ֖ב יִרְבֶּה־לָּ֑ךְ וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־לְךָ֖ יִרְבֶּֽה׃

וְרָ֖ם לְבָבֶ֑ךָ וְשָֽׁכַחְתָּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ הַמּוֹצִיאֲךָ֛ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם מִבֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים׃

הַמּוֹלִ֨יכֲךָ֜ בַּמִּדְבָּ֣ר ׀ הַגָּדֹ֣ל וְהַנּוֹרָ֗א נָחָ֤שׁ ׀ שָׂרָף֙ וְעַקְרָ֔ב וְצִמָּא֖וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֵֽין־מָ֑יִם הַמּוֹצִ֤יא לְךָ֙ מַ֔יִם מִצּ֖וּר הַֽחַלָּמִֽישׁ׃

הַמַּֽאֲכִ֨לְךָ֥ מָן֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־יָדְע֖וּן אֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ לְמַ֣עַן עַנֹּֽתְךָ֗ וּלְמַ֙עַן֙ נַסֹּתֶ֔ךָ לְהֵיטִֽבְךָ֖ בְּאַחֲרִיתֶֽךָ׃

וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ כֹּחִי֙ וְעֹ֣צֶם יָדִ֔י עָ֥שָׂה לִ֖י אֶת־הַחַ֥יִל הַזֶּֽה׃

וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ כִּ֣י ה֗וּא הַנֹּתֵ֥ן לְךָ֛ כֹּ֖חַ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת חָ֑יִל לְמַ֨עַן הָקִ֧ים אֶת־בְּרִית֛וֹ אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ (פ)

וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־שָׁכֹ֤חַ תִּשְׁכַּח֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֗ אַחֲרֵי֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַעֲבַדְתָּ֖ם וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֣יתָ לָהֶ֑ם הַעִדֹ֤תִי בָכֶם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם כִּ֥י אָבֹ֖ד תֹּאבֵדֽוּן׃

כַּגּוֹיִ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר יְהוָה֙ מַאֲבִ֣יד מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם כֵּ֖ן תֹאבֵד֑וּן עֵ֚קֶב לֹ֣א תִשְׁמְע֔וּן בְּק֖וֹל יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (פ)

Deuteronomy.11.13-17

וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־שָׁמֹ֤עַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶל־מִצְוֺתַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ וּלְעָבְד֔וֹ בְּכָל־לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃

וְנָתַתִּ֧י מְטַֽר־אַרְצְכֶ֛ם בְּעִתּ֖וֹ יוֹרֶ֣ה וּמַלְק֑וֹשׁ וְאָסַפְתָּ֣ דְגָנֶ֔ךָ וְתִֽירֹשְׁךָ֖ וְיִצְהָרֶֽךָ׃

וְנָתַתִּ֛י עֵ֥שֶׂב בְּשָׂדְךָ֖ לִבְהֶמְתֶּ֑ךָ וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ׃

הִשָּֽׁמְר֣וּ לָכֶ֔ם פֶּ֥ן יִפְתֶּ֖ה לְבַבְכֶ֑ם וְסַרְתֶּ֗ם וַעֲבַדְתֶּם֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם לָהֶֽם׃

וְחָרָ֨ה אַף־יְהוָ֜ה בָּכֶ֗ם וְעָצַ֤ר אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ וְלֹֽא־יִהְיֶ֣ה מָטָ֔ר וְהָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה לֹ֥א תִתֵּ֖ן אֶת־יְבוּלָ֑הּ וַאֲבַדְתֶּ֣ם מְהֵרָ֗ה מֵעַל֙ הָאָ֣רֶץ הַטֹּבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶֽם׃

Deuteronomy.30.15-20

רְאֵ֨ה נָתַ֤תִּי לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶת־הַֽחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַטּ֑וֹב וְאֶת־הַמָּ֖וֶת וְאֶת־הָרָֽע׃

אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֮ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֔יו וְלִשְׁמֹ֛ר מִצְוֺתָ֥יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו וְחָיִ֣יתָ וְרָבִ֔יתָ וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

וְאִם־יִפְנֶ֥ה לְבָבְךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א תִשְׁמָ֑ע וְנִדַּחְתָּ֗ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֛יתָ לֵאלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים וַעֲבַדְתָּֽם׃

הִגַּ֤דְתִּי לָכֶם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם כִּ֥י אָבֹ֖ד תֹּאבֵד֑וּן לֹא־תַאֲרִיכֻ֤ן יָמִים֙ עַל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה עֹבֵר֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָבֹ֥א שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

הַעִידֹ֨תִי בָכֶ֣ם הַיּוֹם֮ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ֒ הַחַיִּ֤ים וְהַמָּ֙וֶת֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙ בַּֽחַיִּ֔ים לְמַ֥עַן תִּחְיֶ֖ה אַתָּ֥ה וְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃

לְאַֽהֲבָה֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ בְּקֹל֖וֹ וּלְדָבְקָה־ב֑וֹ כִּ֣י ה֤וּא חַיֶּ֙יךָ֙ וְאֹ֣רֶךְ יָמֶ֔יךָ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת עַל־הָאֲדָמָ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁבַּ֨ע יְהוָ֧ה לַאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם לְיִצְחָ֥ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖ב לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם׃ (פ)

Deuteronomy.31.16-18

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה הִנְּךָ֥ שֹׁכֵ֖ב עִם־אֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ וְקָם֩ הָעָ֨ם הַזֶּ֜ה וְזָנָ֣ה ׀ אַחֲרֵ֣י ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י נֵֽכַר־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר ה֤וּא בָא־שָׁ֙מָּה֙ בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ וַעֲזָבַ֕נִי וְהֵפֵר֙ אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּרַ֖תִּי אִתּֽוֹ׃

וְחָרָ֣ה אַפִּ֣י ב֣וֹ בַיּוֹם־הַ֠הוּא וַעֲזַבְתִּ֞ים וְהִסְתַּרְתִּ֨י פָנַ֤י מֵהֶם֙ וְהָיָ֣ה לֶֽאֱכֹ֔ל וּמְצָאֻ֛הוּ רָע֥וֹת רַבּ֖וֹת וְצָר֑וֹת וְאָמַר֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא הֲלֹ֗א עַ֣ל כִּֽי־אֵ֤ין אֱלֹהַי֙ בְּקִרְבִּ֔י מְצָא֖וּנִי הָרָע֥וֹת הָאֵֽלֶּה׃

וְאָנֹכִ֗י הַסְתֵּ֨ר אַסְתִּ֤יר פָּנַי֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא עַ֥ל כָּל־הָרָעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה כִּ֣י פָנָ֔ה אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֲחֵרִֽים׃

The Neviim are basically a historical exposition of this theme in the Torah happening in real time. The primary narrative of Neviim Rishonim is that of the Jews failing to follow the Torah, which leads to their defeat and destruction. And the primary theme of the Neviim Acharonim is of the prophets rebuking the Jews for not keeping the Torah and warning them of their impending doom.

Yehoshua 1.7-9

רַק֩ חֲזַ֨ק וֶאֱמַ֜ץ מְאֹ֗ד לִשְׁמֹ֤ר לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙ כְּכׇל־הַתּוֹרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר צִוְּךָ֙ מֹשֶׁ֣ה עַבְדִּ֔י אַל־תָּס֥וּר מִמֶּ֖נּוּ יָמִ֣ין וּשְׂמֹ֑אול לְמַ֣עַן תַּשְׂכִּ֔יל בְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּלֵֽךְ׃

לֹֽא־יָמ֡וּשׁ סֵ֩פֶר֩ הַתּוֹרָ֨ה הַזֶּ֜ה מִפִּ֗יךָ וְהָגִ֤יתָ בּוֹ֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה לְמַ֙עַן֙ תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת כְּכׇל־הַכָּת֖וּב בּ֑וֹ כִּי־אָ֛ז תַּצְלִ֥יחַ אֶת־דְּרָכֶ֖ךָ וְאָ֥ז תַּשְׂכִּֽיל׃

הֲל֤וֹא צִוִּיתִ֙יךָ֙ חֲזַ֣ק וֶאֱמָ֔ץ אַֽל־תַּעֲרֹ֖ץ וְאַל־תֵּחָ֑ת כִּ֤י עִמְּךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּלֵֽךְ

Jeremiah.3.16

שובו בנים שֽׁוֹבָבִים֙ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּ֥י אָנֹכִ֖י בָּעַ֣לְתִּי בָכֶ֑ם וְלָקַחְתִּ֨י אֶתְכֶ֜ם אֶחָ֣ד מֵעִ֗יר וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ מִמִּשְׁפָּחָ֔ה וְהֵבֵאתִ֥י אֶתְכֶ֖ם צִיּֽוֹן׃

וְנָתַתִּ֥י לָכֶ֛ם רֹעִ֖ים כְּלִבִּ֑י וְרָע֥וּ אֶתְכֶ֖ם דֵּעָ֥ה וְהַשְׂכֵּֽיל׃

וְהָיָ֡ה כִּ֣י תִרְבּוּ֩ וּפְרִיתֶ֨ם בָּאָ֜רֶץ בַּיָּמִ֤ים הָהֵ֙מָּה֙ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֔ה לֹא־יֹ֣אמְרוּ ע֗וֹד אֲרוֹן֙ בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְלֹ֥א יַעֲלֶ֖ה עַל־לֵ֑ב וְלֹ֤א יִזְכְּרוּ־בוֹ֙ וְלֹ֣א יִפְקֹ֔דוּ וְלֹ֥א יֵעָשֶׂ֖ה עֽוֹד׃

Radak

והיה כי תרבו. לא יאמרו עוד ארון ברית ה' ולא יעלה על לב כלומר אע"פ שתרבו ופריתם בארץ לא יקנאו בכם הגוים שיבאו להלחם בכם ותצטרכו לצאת למלחמה וארון האלהים עמכם כמו שהיה מנהגם שהיו מוציאים הארון במלחמה ובימים ההם לא יצטרכו לזה

Jeremiah.2.25-30

מִנְעִ֤י רַגְלֵךְ֙ מִיָּחֵ֔ף (וגורנך) [וּגְרוֹנֵ֖ךְ] מִצִּמְאָ֑ה וַתֹּאמְרִ֣י נוֹאָ֔שׁ ל֕וֹא כִּֽי־אָהַ֥בְתִּי זָרִ֖ים וְאַחֲרֵיהֶ֥ם אֵלֵֽךְ׃

כְּבֹ֤שֶׁת גַּנָּב֙ כִּ֣י יִמָּצֵ֔א כֵּ֥ן הֹבִ֖ישׁוּ בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל הֵ֤מָּה מַלְכֵיהֶם֙ שָׂרֵיהֶ֔ם וְכֹהֲנֵיהֶ֖ם וּנְבִיאֵיהֶֽם׃

אֹמְרִ֨ים לָעֵ֜ץ אָ֣בִי אַ֗תָּה וְלָאֶ֙בֶן֙ אַ֣תְּ (ילדתני) [יְלִדְתָּ֔נוּ] כִּֽי־פָנ֥וּ אֵלַ֛י עֹ֖רֶף וְלֹ֣א פָנִ֑ים וּבְעֵ֤ת רָעָתָם֙ יֹֽאמְר֔וּ ק֖וּמָה וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ׃

וְאַיֵּ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֔ךְ יָק֕וּמוּ אִם־יוֹשִׁיע֖וּךָ בְּעֵ֣ת רָעָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֚י מִסְפַּ֣ר עָרֶ֔יךָ הָי֥וּ אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ יְהוּדָֽה׃ {ס}        

לָ֥מָּה תָרִ֖יבוּ אֵלָ֑י כֻּלְּכֶ֛ם פְּשַׁעְתֶּ֥ם בִּ֖י נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה׃

לַשָּׁוְא֙ הִכֵּ֣יתִי אֶת־בְּנֵיכֶ֔ם מוּסָ֖ר לֹ֣א לָקָ֑חוּ אָכְלָ֧ה חַרְבְּכֶ֛ם נְבִיאֵיכֶ֖ם כְּאַרְיֵ֥ה מַשְׁחִֽית׃

Isaiah.27.9-12

לָכֵ֗ן בְּזֹאת֙ יְכֻפַּ֣ר עֲוֺֽן־יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְזֶ֕ה כׇּל־פְּרִ֖י הָסִ֣ר חַטָּאת֑וֹ בְּשׂוּמ֣וֹ ׀ כׇּל־אַבְנֵ֣י מִזְבֵּ֗חַ כְּאַבְנֵי־גִר֙ מְנֻפָּצ֔וֹת לֹא־יָקֻ֥מוּ אֲשֵׁרִ֖ים וְחַמָּנִֽים׃

כִּ֣י עִ֤יר בְּצוּרָה֙ בָּדָ֔ד נָוֶ֕ה מְשֻׁלָּ֥ח וְנֶעֱזָ֖ב כַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר שָׁ֣ם יִרְעֶ֥ה עֵ֛גֶל וְשָׁ֥ם יִרְבָּ֖ץ וְכִלָּ֥ה סְעִפֶֽיהָ׃

בִּיבֹ֤שׁ קְצִירָהּ֙ תִּשָּׁבַ֔רְנָה נָשִׁ֕ים בָּא֖וֹת מְאִיר֣וֹת אוֹתָ֑הּ כִּ֣י לֹ֤א עַם־בִּינוֹת֙ ה֔וּא עַל־כֵּן֙ לֹא־יְרַחֲמֶ֣נּוּ עֹשֵׂ֔הוּ וְיֹצְר֖וֹ לֹ֥א יְחֻנֶּֽנּוּ׃ {פ}

וְהָיָה֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא יַחְבֹּ֧ט יְהֹוָ֛ה מִשִּׁבֹּ֥לֶת הַנָּהָ֖ר עַד־נַ֣חַל מִצְרָ֑יִם וְאַתֶּ֧ם תְּלֻקְּט֛וּ לְאַחַ֥ד אֶחָ֖ד בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}

Hosea.2.7-13

כִּ֤י זָֽנְתָה֙ אִמָּ֔ם הֹבִ֖ישָׁה הוֹרָתָ֑ם כִּ֣י אָמְרָ֗ה אֵלְכָ֞ה אַחֲרֵ֤י מְאַֽהֲבַי֙ נֹתְנֵ֤י לַחְמִי֙ וּמֵימַ֔י צַמְרִ֣י וּפִשְׁתִּ֔י שַׁמְנִ֖י וְשִׁקּוּיָֽי׃

לָכֵ֛ן הִנְנִי־שָׂ֥ךְ אֶת־דַּרְכֵּ֖ךְ בַּסִּירִ֑ים וְגָֽדַרְתִּי֙ אֶת־גְּדֵרָ֔הּ וּנְתִיבוֹתֶ֖יהָ לֹ֥א תִמְצָֽא׃

וְרִדְּפָ֤ה אֶת־מְאַהֲבֶ֙יהָ֙ וְלֹא־תַשִּׂ֣יג אֹתָ֔ם וּבִקְשָׁ֖תַם וְלֹ֣א תִמְצָ֑א וְאָמְרָ֗ה אֵלְכָ֤ה וְאָשׁ֙וּבָה֙ אֶל־אִישִׁ֣י הָרִאשׁ֔וֹן כִּ֣י ט֥וֹב לִ֛י אָ֖ז מֵעָֽתָּה׃

וְהִיא֙ לֹ֣א יָֽדְעָ֔ה כִּ֤י אָנֹכִי֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לָ֔הּ הַדָּגָ֖ן וְהַתִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְהַיִּצְהָ֑ר וְכֶ֨סֶף הִרְבֵּ֥יתִי לָ֛הּ וְזָהָ֖ב עָשׂ֥וּ לַבָּֽעַל׃

לָכֵ֣ן אָשׁ֔וּב וְלָקַחְתִּ֤י דְגָנִי֙ בְּעִתּ֔וֹ וְתִירוֹשִׁ֖י בְּמוֹעֲד֑וֹ וְהִצַּלְתִּי֙ צַמְרִ֣י וּפִשְׁתִּ֔י לְכַסּ֖וֹת אֶת־עֶרְוָתָֽהּ׃

וְעַתָּ֛ה אֲגַלֶּ֥ה אֶת־נַבְלֻתָ֖הּ לְעֵינֵ֣י מְאַהֲבֶ֑יהָ וְאִ֖ישׁ לֹא־יַצִּילֶ֥נָּה מִיָּדִֽי׃

וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי֙ כׇּל־מְשׂוֹשָׂ֔הּ חַגָּ֖הּ חׇדְשָׁ֣הּ וְשַׁבַּתָּ֑הּ וְכֹ֖ל מוֹעֲדָֽהּ׃

Amos 2:6-16

ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־שְׁלֹשָׁה֙ פִּשְׁעֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְעַל־אַרְבָּעָ֖ה לֹ֣א אֲשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ עַל־מִכְרָ֤ם בַּכֶּ֙סֶף֙ צַדִּ֔יק וְאֶבְי֖וֹן בַּֽעֲב֥וּר נַעֲלָֽיִם׃

....

וְתֹפֵ֤שׂ הַקֶּ֙שֶׁת֙ לֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֔ד וְקַ֥ל בְּרַגְלָ֖יו לֹ֣א יְמַלֵּ֑ט וְרֹכֵ֣ב הַסּ֔וּס לֹ֥א יְמַלֵּ֖ט נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

וְאַמִּ֥יץ לִבּ֖וֹ בַּגִּבּוֹרִ֑ים עָר֛וֹם יָנ֥וּס בַּיּוֹם־הַה֖וּא נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה

וְאָבַ֤ד מָנוֹס֙ מִקָּ֔ל וְחָזָ֖ק לֹא־יְאַמֵּ֣ץ כֹּח֑וֹ וְגִבּ֖וֹר לֹא־יְמַלֵּ֥ט נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

Ezekiel.5.5-12

כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה זֹ֚את יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם בְּת֥וֹךְ הַגּוֹיִ֖ם שַׂמְתִּ֑יהָ וּסְבִיבוֹתֶ֖יהָ אֲרָצֽוֹת׃

וַתֶּ֨מֶר אֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֤י לְרִשְׁעָה֙ מִן־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם וְאֶ֨ת־חֻקּוֹתַ֔י מִן־הָאֲרָצ֖וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר סְבִיבוֹתֶ֑יהָ כִּ֤י בְמִשְׁפָּטַי֙ מָאָ֔סוּ וְחֻקּוֹתַ֖י לֹא־הָלְכ֥וּ בָהֶֽם׃ {ס}        

לָכֵ֞ן כֹּה־אָמַ֣ר ׀ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֗ה יַ֤עַן הֲמׇנְכֶם֙ מִן־הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר סְבִיבוֹתֵיכֶ֔ם בְּחֻקּוֹתַי֙ לֹ֣א הֲלַכְתֶּ֔ם וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֖י לֹ֣א עֲשִׂיתֶ֑ם וּֽכְמִשְׁפְּטֵ֧י הַגּוֹיִ֛ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר סְבִיבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם לֹ֥א עֲשִׂיתֶֽם׃

לָכֵ֗ן כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה הִנְנִ֥י עָלַ֖יִךְ גַּם־אָ֑נִי וְעָשִׂ֧יתִי בְתוֹכֵ֛ךְ מִשְׁפָּטִ֖ים לְעֵינֵ֥י הַגּוֹיִֽם׃

וְעָשִׂ֣יתִי בָ֗ךְ אֵ֚ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־עָשִׂ֔יתִי וְאֵ֛ת אֲשֶֽׁר־לֹא־אֶעֱשֶׂ֥ה כָמֹ֖הוּ ע֑וֹד יַ֖עַן כׇּל־תּוֹעֲבֹתָֽיִךְ׃ {פ}

לָכֵ֗ן אָב֞וֹת יֹאכְל֤וּ בָנִים֙ בְּתוֹכֵ֔ךְ וּבָנִ֖ים יֹאכְל֣וּ אֲבוֹתָ֑ם וְעָשִׂ֤יתִי בָךְ֙ שְׁפָטִ֔ים וְזֵרִיתִ֥י אֶת־כׇּל־שְׁאֵרִיתֵ֖ךְ לְכׇל־רֽוּחַ׃ {ס}        

לָכֵ֣ן חַי־אָ֗נִי נְאֻם֮ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִה֒ אִם־לֹ֗א יַ֚עַן אֶת־מִקְדָּשִׁ֣י טִמֵּ֔את בְּכׇל־שִׁקּוּצַ֖יִךְ וּבְכׇל־תּוֹעֲבֹתָ֑יִךְ וְגַם־אֲנִ֤י אֶגְרַע֙ וְלֹא־תָח֣וֹס עֵינִ֔י וְגַם־אֲנִ֖י לֹ֥א אֶחְמֽוֹל׃

שְׁלִשִׁתֵ֞יךְ בַּדֶּ֣בֶר יָמ֗וּתוּ וּבָֽרָעָב֙ יִכְל֣וּ בְתוֹכֵ֔ךְ וְהַ֨שְּׁלִשִׁ֔ית בַּחֶ֖רֶב יִפְּל֣וּ סְבִיבוֹתָ֑יִךְ וְהַשְּׁלִישִׁית֙ לְכׇל־ר֣וּחַ אֱזָרֶ֔ה וְחֶ֖רֶב אָרִ֥יק אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃

Ezekiel.16.35-39

לָכֵ֣ן זוֹנָ֔ה שִׁמְעִ֖י דְּבַר־יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}

כֹּה־אָמַ֞ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֗ה יַ֣עַן הִשָּׁפֵ֤ךְ נְחֻשְׁתֵּךְ֙ וַתִּגָּלֶ֣ה עֶרְוָתֵ֔ךְ בְּתַזְנוּתַ֖יִךְ עַל־מְאַֽהֲבָ֑יִךְ וְעַל֙ כׇּל־גִּלּוּלֵ֣י תוֹעֲבוֹתַ֔יִךְ וְכִדְמֵ֣י בָנַ֔יִךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תְּ לָהֶֽם׃

לָ֠כֵ֠ן הִנְנִ֨י מְקַבֵּ֤ץ אֶת־כׇּל־מְאַהֲבַ֙יִךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָרַ֣בְתְּ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָהַ֔בְתְּ עַ֖ל כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׂנֵ֑את וְקִבַּצְתִּי֩ אֹתָ֨ם עָלַ֜יִךְ מִסָּבִ֗יב וְגִלֵּיתִ֤י עֶרְוָתֵךְ֙ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם וְרָא֖וּ אֶת־כׇּל־עֶרְוָתֵֽךְ׃

וּשְׁפַטְתִּיךְ֙ מִשְׁפְּטֵ֣י נֹאֲפ֔וֹת וְשֹׁפְכֹ֖ת דָּ֑ם וּנְתַתִּ֕יךְ דַּ֥ם חֵמָ֖ה וְקִנְאָֽה׃

וְנָתַתִּ֨י אֹתָ֜ךְ בְּיָדָ֗ם וְהָרְס֤וּ גַבֵּךְ֙ וְנִתְּצ֣וּ רָמֹתַ֔יִךְ וְהִפְשִׁ֤יטוּ אוֹתָךְ֙ בְּגָדַ֔יִךְ וְלָקְח֖וּ כְּלֵ֣י תִפְאַרְתֵּ֑ךְ וְהִנִּיח֖וּךְ עֵירֹ֥ם וְעֶרְיָֽה

Jeremiah.19.4-9

יַ֣עַן ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲזָבֻ֗נִי וַֽיְנַכְּר֞וּ אֶת־הַמָּק֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ וַיְקַטְּרוּ־בוֹ֙ לֵאלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹא־יְדָע֛וּם הֵ֥מָּה וַאֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם וּמַלְכֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וּמָ֥לְא֛וּ אֶת־הַמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה דַּ֥ם נְקִיִּֽם׃

וּבָנ֞וּ אֶת־בָּמ֣וֹת הַבַּ֗עַל לִשְׂרֹ֧ף אֶת־בְּנֵיהֶ֛ם בָּאֵ֖שׁ עֹל֣וֹת לַבָּ֑עַל אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־צִוִּ֙יתִי֙ וְלֹ֣א דִבַּ֔רְתִּי וְלֹ֥א עָלְתָ֖ה עַל־לִבִּֽי׃ {פ}

לָכֵ֞ן הִנֵּֽה־יָמִ֤ים בָּאִים֙ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְלֹא־יִקָּרֵא֩ לַמָּק֨וֹם הַזֶּ֥ה ע֛וֹד הַתֹּ֖פֶת וְגֵ֣יא בֶן־הִנֹּ֑ם כִּ֖י אִם־גֵּ֥יא הַהֲרֵגָֽה׃

וּ֠בַקֹּתִ֠י אֶת־עֲצַ֨ת יְהוּדָ֤ה וִירוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ בַּמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה וְהִפַּלְתִּ֤ים בַּחֶ֙רֶב֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם וּבְיַ֖ד מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י נַפְשָׁ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֤י אֶת־נִבְלָתָם֙ לְמַֽאֲכָ֔ל לְע֥וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וּלְבֶהֱמַ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃

וְשַׂמְתִּי֙ אֶת־הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֔את לְשַׁמָּ֖ה וְלִשְׁרֵקָ֑ה כֹּ֚ל עֹבֵ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ יִשֹּׁ֥ם וְיִשְׁרֹ֖ק עַל־כׇּל־מַכֹּתֶֽהָ׃

וְהַֽאֲכַלְתִּ֞ים אֶת־בְּשַׂ֣ר בְּנֵיהֶ֗ם וְאֵת֙ בְּשַׂ֣ר בְּנֹתֵיהֶ֔ם וְאִ֥ישׁ בְּשַׂר־רֵעֵ֖הוּ יֹאכֵ֑לוּ בְּמָצוֹר֙ וּבְמָצ֔וֹק אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָצִ֧יקוּ לָהֶ֛ם אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם וּמְבַקְשֵׁ֥י נַפְשָֽׁם׃

(Thanks to

happygoluckypersonage

for the sources in Nach).

So again, secularists like Natan or R. Uri Sherki who downplay the importance of Torah and Mitzvos are in fact putting the State in great danger, as the Torah itself is abundantly clear.

2. I’m not sure what Natan is trying to prove from these Rishonim. They speak about the ethical aspect of learning Torah. Nowhere do they say that there is no metaphysical aspect to it or physical protection. We shall soon show the many sources from Chazal for this.

3. Now granted, the Rationalists will have an easy time with this one. The reason why Torah scholars spread peace and love is by propagating their knowledge of democracy and liberty to provide tikkun olam for humanity. Duh. But the only source I was able to find who actually discusses this passage was the 16th century Rif (Pinto, not to be confused with Alfasi, in his commentary on Ein Ya’akov, Berachos,148) who explains it in the metaphysical sense, much like all the other passages brought here

4. Artscroll suggests that this may be Oenomaus of Gadara, a second century Greek philosopher.

5. In his post “Practically speaking, torah does NOT protect”, Natan concludes: “In summary: According to classical Judaism, the primary way of defending ourselves against our enemies is with military means. The primary spiritual defensive tool is prayer. You can also create a merit for yourself by learning Torah, and you can pray on behalf of anyone. But you can't export the merit of your Torah to other people.” As the reader can see from the above sources, this is clearly not the case.

6. Although I’m not authorized to speak on behalf of R. Zilberstein, this is very likely what he had in mind. If one is able to maintain serious concentration in Torah study on a bus ride, based on the above, it would definitely serve as a protection for him.