ויקרא, פרק כ״ו, פסוק ל״ב

The destruction of the land of Israel following the exile of its people is more than the natural result of war. It is a deliberate plan by God with deep historical meaning. As the nation is driven away, the entire land will lose its life and blessing. It will turn into a complete wasteland that serves as a warning to all nations [המלבי״ם, פירושי רד צ הופמן, הטור הארוך, אבן עזרא].

The ruin will be so deep that even the enemies who try to conquer and settle the area will be shocked and upset. They will be completely unable to make the soil grow crops or to find any comfort and peace there [רשב״ם, אבן עזרא, ביאור יש״ר, ביאור שטיינזלץ, רלב״ג].

Even though this happens during a series of harsh curses, the primary approach among commentators is that this total emptiness is actually a great kindness and a comforting promise for the Israelites. This hidden comfort works in a few ways. Emotionally, it saves the exiled Israelites from the deep sadness of watching their enemies succeed and enjoy their beloved homeland [רש״י, רבנו בחיי, בכור שור]. Practically, the emptiness makes sure that no foreign nation will be able to build walls, towers, or strong cities. The land itself will refuse to accept any foreign rule, waiting stubbornly until its true children return [רבנו בחיי, צאינה וראינה, העמק דבר].

Also, if enemy nations were to successfully build a life there, the Israelites might lose hope for future freedom, knowing that God does not usually take away good things from people who are already settled. The constant failure of these enemies keeps the door open for the Israelites to return [פרדס יוסף]. Finally, the emptiness proves that the land has not been completely spoiled. Instead, it keeps its holiness while waiting to be rebuilt [שפתי כהן].

God highlights His direct, personal role in this process. Just as the land's rich harvests while the Israelites lived there were the result of God's miraculous care, its sudden change into a dry desert is not a natural event, but the direct work of God [רש ר הירש, פירושי רד צ הופמן]. Because this ruin holds a hidden kindness for the Israelites, God personally manages and performs it [אור החיים, גור אריה].

The placement of this event within the larger series of punishments is discussed among commentators. Some view the positive side of the emptiness simply as a factual description of reality [מזרחי]. Others argue that seeing this as a hidden blessing is necessary to understand the order of the punishments. In this view, the emptiness acts as a key turning point. The hardships that happened before this moment took place while the nation was still in its land, meant to wake them up to change their ways. In contrast, the struggles that follow belong to a new stage of cleaning away their sins while living in exile [שפתי חכמים, משכיל לדוד, גור אריה].