In what way will Hashem's anger manifest itself?
Mechilta (in Parshas Mishpatim): We earn via a Gezeirah Shavah "Vecharah Af Hashem" "Vechara Api Veharagti eschem be'Charev" - Mishpatim Shemos, 22:23, that the punishment is death by the sword. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 30.
Why does the Torah juxtapose "Ve'atzar es ha'Shamayim ve'Lo Yih'yeh Matar" to "Va'avadtem Elohim Acharim"?
Yerushalmi Ta'anis, 3:3: To teach us that it is due to the sin of Avodah Zarah that there is no rain. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 29.
Why, in addition to ve'Lo Yih'yeh Matar" does the Torah insert "Ve'atzar es ha'Shamaym"?
Ta'anis, 3b: To teach us that Hashem will also shut out thick clouds and winds 1 from the sky.
Ta'anis, 8b: To learn via a Gezeira Shavah "Ve'atzar es ha'Shamayim" "Ki Azar Hashem be'ad Kol Rechem" - that no rain can be compared to a woman who is unable to give birth (who requires much mercy - Tefilah - Torah Temimah).
Some, but not all of them. See Torah Temimah, note 31.
On what condition is little or no rain considered "Ve'atzar es ha'Shamayim"?
Ta'anis, 6b: Up to the point where sufficient rain falls to fashion the lid of a barrel (with clay and rain-water) without having to add water. 1
Ta'anis, 6b: Only rain that falls after the time of Keri'as Shema (shel Arvis) 2 is considered 'Ve'atzar'. 3
Ta'anis, 6b: If a lot of 4 rain falls on one province and not on another, it does not fall under the catagory of 've'Atzar' .
Ta'anis, 7b: The curse of 've'Atzar' only occurs if Yisrael are deserving of destruction - as the Torah continues "Va'avadtem Meheirah ... ". 5
See Torah Temimah, note 32 as to the ramifications of the current statements.
See Torah Temimah, note 34.
See Torah Temimah, note 33.
See Torah Temimah, note 35.
'Aveidah' (with an 'Alef'') can also refer to Galus - as it does here. Se Oznayim la'Torah, note 39). See also Torah Temimah, note 36.
Having written "Ve'atzar es ha'Shamayim ve'Lo Yih'yeh Matar", why does the Torah need to add "ve'ha'Adamah Lo Sitein es Yevulah"?
Rashi: To teach us that even of what one manage to bring to the land 1 and plant, only little will grow.
Oznayim la'Torah: Even the top-soil which one waters manually from tthe fountains and the streams which flow close to it, 2 will not prodeuce crops.
Why does the Torah need to specifically mention "ha'Shamayim" and "ha'Adamah"?
Refer to 32:1:3:2.
What is the connection between a lack of rain and no produce, and being exiled from the land?
Rashi: In addition to the above-mentioned Tzaros, Hashem will exile you from the land 1 that caused you to sin. 2
Seforno: The Pasuk is referring (not to being exiled from the land, but) to destruction via starvation, which is worse than death by the sword. 3 '
Lev Eliyahu (Shemos p.92): "Closing the heavens" refers to a cessation of spiritual influence
Rashi: This can be compared to a king who sent is son to a party and warned him not to eat and drink too much so as to arrive home clean. But the son did not heed his father's warning. He ate and drank to his heart's content and vomited all over the guests. So they took him by his hands and feet and threw him out of the palace.
See Eichah, 4:9.
What are the connotations of "Va'avadtem Meheirah"?
Rashi: It means that Hashem will not grant you an extension of time to do Teshuvah. 1
Seforno: It refers to death by starvation, which is worse than death by the sword.
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means literally 'You will perish quickly'.
Sifri: It means either 'I will exile 2 you immediately' or 'You will suffer one exile after another'. 3
Ba'al ha'Turim: It refers to destruction at the hand of the enemy.
Rashi: As opposed to the generation of the flood whom He gave a hundred and twenty years warning, because they had no-one from whom to learn (See Sifsei Chachamim) - whereas you had the Avos as role-models.
See Torah Temimah, note 39, who proves from a number of sources that 'Aveidah' (with an Alef' sometimes pertains to Galus.
Sifri: Like we find regarding Yehudah and Binyamin.
Why does the Torah add (the otherwise superfluous) phrase "asher Hashem Nosein lachem"?
