Daily Tanach Sunday 13th Tishreiy Sefer Yirmiyah Chapter 6 Part 2: Judgment and Warning from the North

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Overview 

The selected passage vividly depicts a time of impending judgment and sorrow. The text highlights how the people’s continued rebellion and rejection of Hashem’s guidance have led to severe consequences. The nations and the earth are called as witnesses to this rebellion, emphasizing the gravity and universality of the situation. Despite their religious offerings, the people’s insincerity renders their sacrifices unacceptable. Hashem warns that stumbling blocks will be placed before the people, leading to widespread suffering and loss across generations and communities.

A formidable and merciless nation from the north is foretold to descend upon the land, striking fear and helplessness among the inhabitants. The people are urged to mourn deeply, expressing grief as if for an only child, symbolizing the profound sense of loss they are to experience.

Furthermore, the people are described as having failed the test of righteousness—perversity, slander, and destruction are rampant, and repeated attempts at refinement and purification have proven futile. Ultimately, the passage concludes with the somber reality that these people have become “refuse silver,” rejected by Hashem because they persist in their wickedness despite all warnings and opportunities for repentance.

🌍 Witnesses to Rebellion

  • “Hearken, O nations… O earth… I bring evil to this people” — the fruit of their thoughts, for they rejected Hashem’s instruction【18–19】.
  • “Why do I need frankincense from Sheba… your burnt offerings are not acceptable”.

⚠️ Stumbling Blocks and Perishing

  • “I give this people stumbling blocks… fathers and sons shall stumble… neighbor and companion shall perish”.

🐎 A Cruel Nation Approaches

  • “A people is coming from the northland… a great nation from the ends of the earth”.
  • “They grasp bow and spear… cruel and without compassion… their voice roars like the sea”.
  • “Our hands have become feeble… pain as a woman in travail”.
  • “Go not forth into the field… fear all around”.

🧣 Mourning and Lamentation

  • “O daughter of My people, gird yourself with sackcloth… roll in ashes… make yourself a mourning as for an only child”.

🧪 Testing the People

  • “I have made you the strong one… you shall know and test their way”.
  • “They are all extremely perverse… tale bearing like copper and iron… all destructive”.

🔥 Refinement in Vain

  • “The bellows is heated… the lead consumed… in vain does the founder refine” — the wicked are not separated.
  • “Refuse silver have men called them… for Hashem has rejected them”.

Key Takeaway

The central message is a stark warning about the consequences of ignoring divine instruction and ethical living. Superficial acts of worship cannot replace genuine repentance and moral conduct. When a society refuses correction, even repeated opportunities for change may be exhausted, leading to inevitable judgment and loss. The passage urges reflection, sincere change, and a return to foundational values before it is too late.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.