דברים, פרק כ״ח, פסוק כ״ה

Military defeat and national collapse represent a complete reversal of the blessings promised to the Israelites for keeping their covenant with God. Instead of enemies running away from them, the roles are entirely flipped. The army marches into battle united and highly organized along a single path. Yet, overcome by immense fear as the enemy attacks from multiple fronts, the soldiers break rank, completely scattering and running for their lives in every possible direction [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ, קיצור בעל הטורים].

A unique perspective offers a different way to view this chaotic retreat, seeing it as a hidden defense mechanism. In this view, God causes the Israelites to appear completely defeated. By scattering in many directions, they force the pursuing enemy to split up and chase them. This exhausts and wears down the attackers, ultimately preventing further assaults [שפתי כהן].

The aftermath of this defeat brings about a state of profound shock and trembling [אבן עזרא, שד״ל]. The primary approach among commentators is that the blow to the Israelites will be so severe that it becomes a nightmare for the rest of the world. The destruction will be so unusual that anyone who hears about the disaster will tremble with terror, praying that such a fate never happens to them [רש״י, רש״ר הירש, ביאור יש״ר, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In contrast, another approach suggests that this intense terror will not belong to the nations watching from the outside, but to the Israelites themselves. The people will be forced to live in a constant, unnatural state of fear of all the kingdoms on earth, terrified even of the lowest and weakest nations [רלב״ג].