Seven (different) types of punishments come to the world for seven types of transgressions: If some (men) tithe and some do not tithe, a famine of dearth comes to the world. [Rain is scarce, as a result of which prices rise] — some are hungry and some are sated. If (all) resolved not to tithe, a famine of tumult [(The harvest cannot be gathered because of invading armies)] and dearth comes. If (they resolved) not to take challah, a famine of destruction comes. [The heavens are like iron and the earth like copper.] Pestilence comes to the world for the death penalties in the Torah, which did not come to [adjudication in ] the beth-din and for the fruits of the sabbatical year, [with which business was done and which were not kept in the sanctity of the sabbatical year.] A sword comes to the world for delay of judgment, [when it is known where the din inclines] and for perversion of justice, [vindicating the guilty and incriminating the innocent], and for ruling in Torah (law) not in accordance with the halachah, [forbidding the permitted, and permitting the forbidden].
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."
