Daily Tanach Thursday 8th Marcheshvan Sefer Yirmiyah Chapter 17: Engraved Sin, Trust in Hashem, and the Call to Honor Shabbos

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Chapter 17: Engraved Sin, Trust in Hashem, and the Call to Honor Shabbat

Overview

Chapter 17 contrasts Judah’s deep-rooted sin with the blessings of trusting in Hashem. It begins with a vivid image of guilt engraved on the heart and moves to a powerful teaching: those who rely on human strength are cursed, while those who trust in Hashem are blessed. Yermiyahu prays for healing and justice, and Hashem commands him to proclaim the importance of Shabbat observance at Jerusalem’s gates, promising prosperity for obedience and destruction for rebellion.

  1. Judah’s Sin Is Permanent

Hashem declares that Judah’s wrongdoing is not superficial—it is etched with an iron stylus and a diamond point on their hearts and even on the horns of their altars. Their attachment to idolatry is as strong as their love for their own children. High places and sacred groves remain centers of sin throughout the land.

Because of this, Hashem will strip them of their wealth and inheritance, handing them over to enemies in a foreign land. His anger burns like an unquenchable fire.

  1. Trust in Man vs. Trust in Hashem

Hashem delivers a timeless principle:

  • Cursed is the one who relies on human strength and turns away from Hashem. Such a person is like a barren shrub in a salty desert—isolated, lifeless, and blind to goodness.
  • Blessed is the one who trusts in Hashem. They are like a tree planted by water, roots deep in a stream. Even in heat or drought, its leaves stay green, and it never stops bearing fruit.
  1. The Deceitful Heart and Divine Justice

The human heart is described as deceitful and desperately sick—beyond human understanding. Only Hashem can truly search the heart and test the inner being, rewarding each person according to their deeds.

Those who gain wealth unjustly are compared to a bird that sits on eggs it never laid—riches will vanish, and shame will follow.

  1. Yermiyahu’s Prayer and Plea

Yermiyahu turns to Hashem as his strength and refuge, asking for healing and deliverance. He reminds Hashem that he never sought disaster for the people and faithfully spoke His word.

He prays:

  • “Do not let me be ruined; You are my shelter in evil times.”
  • “Let my persecutors be shamed, not me; let them fall, not I. Bring upon them a day of calamity—double destruction.”
  1. The Command to Guard Shabbos

Hashem sends Yermiyahu to the gates of Jerusalem to proclaim:

  • Do not carry burdens or perform labor on Shabbat.
  • Keep the day holy as commanded to your ancestors.

If they obey, kings will continue to reign on David’s throne, and Jerusalem will flourish forever. People will come from all regions bringing offerings to Hashem’s house.

But if they refuse, Hashem warns:

  • A fire will blaze in Jerusalem’s gates and consume its palaces, and it will not be extinguished.

Takeaway

Chapter 17 delivers three powerful lessons:

  • Sin leaves a permanent mark when unrepented.
  • True security comes from trusting Hashem, not human strength.
  • Shabbat is a covenant sign—its observance brings blessing, while neglect invites destruction.

Yermiyahu’s prayer reminds us that even in times of judgment, we can seek Hashem as our refuge and healer.

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.