Sieben (verschiedene) Arten von Strafen kommen für sieben Arten von Übertretungen auf die Welt: Wenn einige (Männer) den Zehnten geben und andere nicht den Zehnten, kommt eine Hungersnot des Mangels auf die Welt. [Regen ist knapp, wodurch die Preise steigen]—Einige sind hungrig und andere satt. Wenn (alle) beschlossen, nicht den Zehnten zu geben, kommt es zu einer Hungersnot ([Die Ernte kann wegen eindringender Armeen nicht gesammelt werden)] und Mangel. Wenn (sie beschlossen), keine Challa zu nehmen, kommt eine Hungersnot der Zerstörung. [Der Himmel ist wie Eisen und die Erde wie Kupfer.] Pestilenz kommt auf die Welt für die Todesstrafen in der Tora, die nicht zum Beth-Din und für die Früchte des Sabbatjahres kamen welche Geschäfte gemacht wurden und welche nicht in der Heiligkeit des Sabbatjahres aufbewahrt wurden.] Ein Schwert kommt auf die Welt, um das Urteil zu verzögern, [wenn bekannt ist, wo der Lärm steigt] und um die Gerechtigkeit zu verfälschen, [die Schuldigen zu verteidigen und die Unschuldigen belasten] und für die Entscheidung in der Tora (Gesetz), die nicht der Halacha entspricht, [das Erlaubte verbieten und das Verbotene erlauben].
Shaarei Teshuvah
Our Rabbis, may their memory be blessed, said (Avot 5:8), “Pestilence comes to the world for sins punishable by death according to the Torah, but which have not been referred to the court, and for [neglect of the law regarding] the fruits of the sabbatical year.” And they also said (Avot 5:9), “At four times pestilence increases: In the fourth year, in the seventh year, at the conclusion of the seventh year and at the conclusion of the Feast [of Tabernacles (Sukkot)] in every year. In the fourth year, on account of the tithe of the poor [which is due in] the third year; in the seventh year, on account of the tithe of the poor [which is due] in the sixth year; at the conclusion of the seventh year, on account of the produce of the seventh year; and at the conclusion of the Feast in every year, for robbing the gifts to the poor.” We have seen from this that there is death at the hands of the Heavens for robbing the gifts of the poor. And from this, know and examine the severity of one who makes vows of charity but does not fulfill [them]. Also one who shuts his hand from his poor brother and turns away from his flesh is similar to these - for since he has already been obligated to give [these sums by the Torah], behold he is like someone robbing the gifts [of the poor].
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Shaarei Teshuvah
And our Rabbis, may their memory be blessed, said (Avot 5:8-9), “The sword comes to the world for the delay of judgment, for the perversion of judgment, and because of those who teach the Torah not in accordance with the accepted law. Wild beasts come to the world for swearing in vain, and for the profaning of [God’s] name.”
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Shenei Luchot HaBerit
In the book Shushan Eydut the point is made that all the 613 commandments are an integral unit, similar to a garment knitted from a single thread. Any break in the thread threatens to destroy the entire garment, since it will unravel. It follows that if a person has failed to fulfill all the commandments he is incomplete, to say the least.
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Shenei Luchot HaBerit
Such considerations also enable us to explain the Mishnah in Avot 5,8, that the Jewish people experienced ten miracles while the Temple was standing. The list includes such things as that no woman suffered a miscarriage due to the odour of the flesh of the sacrifices which was burned up on the altar, and that the meat itself never turned putrid. No fly was ever seen in the slaughterhouse of the Temple; no unclean emission ever befell the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. The rain never extinguished the fire on the wood pile of the altar; the wind never prevailed over the column of smoke that rose from the altar; no disqualifying defect was ever found in the Omer, the two Shevuot loaves, nor in the show-breads. The people stood closely pressed together and yet found ample space to prostrate themselves; no snake or scorpion ever caused injury in Jerusalem, and no man ever said to his fellow: "There is too little room for me to lodge overnight in Jerusalem."
