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.1 As such, there is a one to one correspondence between sin and punishment, not seven to one.2
"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 (כׇל חַטֹּאתֶיהָ) 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.
"Seven" and "Double": Literal or figurative? These sources read each of the terms literally, suggesting that Hashem speaks of either seven or two punishments (and not simply "many" punishments), to match either seven or two sets of sins.
Who is punished? The commentaries on Vayikra understand the punishment to be inflicted on one generation, who has itself erred in multiple ways, while Radak on Yeshayahu assumes that the prophet is speaking of the nation's sins and retribution during two distinct generations.
Divine providence – This approach assumes that Hashem punishes the nation exactly as it deserves, and no more. As these verses speak only on the national level, it is not clear if these sources would say the same regarding individual providence.
World to Come – The existence of a World to Come does not preclude justice in this world; thus Hashem never punishes Israel unduly. It is even possible that the World to Come is reserved for individual justice, while all justice pertaining to the nation as a whole must be meted out already in this world.
