ירמיהו, פרק כ״ט, פסוק כ״ח

The prophet Jeremiah faced fierce opposition when he delivered a difficult message to the exiles in Babylon, instructing them to settle down and build lives in a foreign land. His rivals viewed this directive with deep suspicion, treating his words as lies and madness rather than a genuine divine command. A harsh complaint was lodged against the prophet, demanding that he be severely rebuked and punished specifically for sending this discouraging message to the exiled community [רש״י]. His opponents argued that the instruction to establish permanent roots in Babylon was merely the product of a delusional mind. They firmly believed he was inventing these prophecies out of his own imagination and that God had never actually spoken to him [מצודת דוד].

At the heart of Jeremiah's message is a profound statement regarding the nature of their time in exile. The primary approach among commentators is that his instruction is based on the sheer length of their stay. Because the exile in Babylon would last for a very long time, Jeremiah advised the people to face reality. He urged them to build houses and plant gardens, as they were not going to return home anytime soon and needed to make peace with their current situation.

However, another perspective offers a different layer of meaning, suggesting that the exile is not merely a lengthy punishment to be endured, but a vital form of medicine. According to this view, the time spent away from their homeland serves as a necessary healing process for the spiritual and emotional illness of the nation. Consequently, the exiles are instructed to wait patiently and establish themselves in Babylon until the specific period required for their complete recovery has come to an end [מלבי״ם].