Manifold Punishment/2
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Manifold Punishment
Exegetical Approaches
Punished More than Deserved
Sometimes, people are punished more severely than their sins call for. This position subdivides in how it explains why this is justified:
Natural Order
Since this world is run via natural order, it is possible that the nation might receive more than its proper share of retribution.
Divine providence vs. natural order
Punishment in this world or the next
Vicarious Punishment of Children
Hashem's system of justice allows for the vicarious (or collective) punishment of children for their parent's sins, resulting in undue suffering of the descendant.
Punishment Less Harsh than Appears
The verse's description of the punishment makes it sound worse than it really is. As such, the nation did not really suffer more than deserved.
Sources:פerhaps Rashbam, Ibn Ezra, R. Eliezer of Beaugency, Akeidat Yitzchak, Abarbanel, Shadal, Malbim
Sin More Egregious than Appears
The sin for which the nation is punished is actually more severe than the verse makes it appear. As such, the harsh punishment described is justified.
Sources:Sifra Vayikra, Eikhah Rabbah, Rashi, R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Radak, Paneach Raza, Or HaChayyim
"וְיָסַפְתִּי לְיַסְּרָה אֶתְכֶם שֶׁבַע עַל חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם" – Most of these sources claim that the seven-fold punishment is measure for measure punishment for the nation's seven-fold transgression. As Hashem speaks of the people committing seven distinct sins,1 it is just that they receive seven punishments.
"כִּי לָקְחָה מִיַּד י"י כִּפְלַיִם בְּכׇל חַטֹּאתֶיהָ" – Radak explains that the "double punishment" refers to the two exiles, each a punishment for its own set of sins. The nation's many crimes merited them two stints in exile. According to this reading, the prophecy of Yeshayahu speaks of Messianic times. Yeshayahu comforts the nation by telling them that since they have already suffered through two exilic periods, their punishment is finally complete, and the final redemption is at hand.