ירמיהו, פרק נ״א, פסוק מ״ה

An urgent warning rings out to the exiled Israelites living in Babylon, pressing them to flee the empire as it faces imminent collapse. The downfall of this mighty superpower is not merely a national disaster for its citizens, but a rare, historic opportunity for the Israelites to secure their freedom and return to their homeland.

The directive instructs the people to leave the conquered territory immediately [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. While some view this instruction as a simple and obvious reaction to an approaching war [רד״ק], others note a deeper pattern. This specific warning to flee is issued three distinct times throughout the prophecies, mirroring the three historical stages in which Babylon was ultimately destroyed [מלבי״ם].

The primary motivation for this escape is to physically distance the Israelites from God's fierce anger. As His judgment descends upon Babylon, the people must get away so they are not caught in the destruction and punished alongside the local inhabitants [מצודת דוד]. Yet, this hasty departure is about much more than just basic survival. Escaping God's wrath and leaving Babylonian soil carries a profound blessing for the nation, as the ultimate purpose of this flight is to pave the way for the exiles to return and build their lives anew in the land of Judah [אברבנאל].