Daily Tanach – Yechezkal Chapter 18: Individual Responsibility and the Call to Repentance (Wednesday, 3rd Shevat)

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Chapter 18: Individual Responsibility and the Call to Repentance

  1. Ending the False Proverb (Verses 1–4)
  • G‑d rebukes the saying:
    “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”
  • This proverb will no longer be used in Israel.
  • Principle:
    • “All souls are Mine—the soul that sins, it shall die.”

  1. The Righteous Man Lives (Verses 5–9)
  • A man who:
    • Avoids idolatry and immorality.
    • Does not oppress, returns pledges, avoids robbery.
    • Gives bread to the hungry, clothes the naked.
    • Does not take interest or increase, judges truthfully.
    • Walks in G‑d’s statutes and ordinances.
  • He shall surely live, says the Lord G‑d.

  1. The Wicked Son Dies (Verses 10–13)
  • If such a righteous man fathers a son who:
    • Sheds blood, commits robbery, idolatry, immorality.
    • Oppresses the poor, takes interest and increase.
  • He shall not live—he shall surely die; his blood is upon himself.

  1. The Righteous Grandson Lives (Verses 14–18)
  • If this wicked man fathers a son who sees his father’s sins and does not follow them:
    • He practices justice and righteousness.
  • He shall live; his father shall die for his own iniquity.

  1. Principle of Personal Accountability (Verses 19–20)
  • “The soul that sins, it shall die.”
  • A son does not bear the father’s guilt, nor a father the son’s.
  • Righteousness belongs to the righteous; wickedness to the wicked.

  1. The Power of Repentance (Verses 21–24)
  • If a wicked man repents and keeps G‑d’s laws:
    • His sins will not be remembered; he shall live.
  • G‑d declares:
    • “Do I desire the death of the wicked? Is it not rather that he turn from his ways and live?”
  • Conversely, if a righteous man turns to sin, his former righteousness will not save him.

  1. G‑d’s Justice Affirmed (Verses 25–29)
  • Israel protests: “The way of the Lord is not right!”
  • G‑d responds:
    • “Is it My way that is not right? Is it not your ways?”
  • Each person is judged according to their own deeds.

  1. The Call to Repentance and Life (Verses 30–32)
  • G‑d urges:
    • “Repent and turn from all your transgressions; make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.”
  • Final appeal:
    • “I do not desire the death of him who dies—turn away and live!”

Central Themes

  • Personal responsibility: No inherited guilt; each soul answers for its own deeds.
  • Repentance brings life: G‑d desires restoration, not destruction.
  • Justice and mercy: G‑d’s ways are righteous, calling Israel to return.

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.