יואל, פרק א׳, פסוק י׳

A massive locust swarm descends upon the land, bringing complete agricultural ruin. Rather than damaging the soil itself, the swarm entirely consumes the vegetation, leaving the once-fruitful areas desolate and bare [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This devastation targets the grain, wine, and oil, stripping away the very foundations of human survival and livelihood [רד״ק]. The loss is likened to a violent robbery, with the locusts forcefully extorting and stealing the earth's produce [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The impact is felt across all types of agricultural zones. The open fields, dedicated specifically to growing grain, are stripped bare, while the broader land, which includes vineyards and orchards, suffers equally [מלבי״ם]. In the wake of this devastation, a profound sense of mourning takes hold. The primary approach among commentators is that this mourning represents the physical ruin and barrenness of the soil itself [מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. Alternatively, the mourning is understood metaphorically, reflecting the deep sadness of the people who live on and rely upon the land [אבן עזרא].

This agricultural collapse extends far beyond human hunger, directly halting the daily Temple service. Without the grain from the fields, the mandatory meal offerings cannot be brought, and without the grapes and olives from the orchards, the essential wine and oil libations cease entirely [מלבי״ם].

The sheer totality of the loss is evident in the condition of the specific crops. The grain is violently taken, while the wine and oil are completely cut off and left withered [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The wine, in particular, is described as having dried up entirely, leaving nothing to harvest [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Yet, this dryness also carries a deeper, metaphorical meaning. As the vineyards fail to produce their expected yield, it is as though the vines and the wine themselves are enduring a state of profound shame [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].