ירמיהו, פרק ו׳, פסוק א׳

An urgent alarm sounds across the land as the prophet issues a desperate warning to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and its surrounding areas. An impending war is approaching, and the people must flee to find a strong, secure shelter [מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The prophet urges them to abandon Jerusalem, warning that the enemy is destined to conquer it. Although the people of the tribe of Benjamin initially sought safety within the capital's walls, they are now told to escape from it [מלבי״ם]. This command to evacuate is almost an exaggeration, as there is truly nowhere left to run, but it serves to emphasize a terrifying reality: even the heavily fortified capital city is about to fall [רד״ק]. The prophet directs this initial, urgent plea specifically to the people of Benjamin rather than Judah because he himself hails from Anathoth, a city in Benjamin's territory. Driven by deep sorrow and profound love, he naturally reaches out first to his own family and kin [רד״ק, אברבנאל].

To spread the warning, the prophet calls for a shofar to be blown in Tekoa, a city situated south of Bethlehem [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This piercing sound serves as a blaring alarm, either to alert the nation to brace for battle [מצודת דוד] or to signal them to run for their lives toward the mountains and nearby cities [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Further signals are required at Beit Hakerem. While some understand this simply as a town on the border of Judah [רש״י, מלבי״ם], others describe it as a tall watchtower built within a vineyard to guard the surrounding fields [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. From this high vantage point, a visual alarm must be raised. The primary approach among commentators is that this involves lighting a blazing beacon of fire, ensuring that even those far away will see the warning and escape the looming danger. Conversely, some explain this action as raising a flag or banner, rallying the people to gather and fight for their survival [רש״י, מלבי״ם].

These frantic preparations and warnings are necessary because a terrible disaster is no longer just a distant threat; it is already visible and rapidly closing in [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. This catastrophic evil descends from the north, representing the mighty Babylonian empire preparing to strike [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Its arrival guarantees a massive disaster, bringing a heavy, crushing blow that will shatter the nation [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].