@souloftorah: The Hebrew phrase "שֶׁשׁ הֵנָּה" (six these) is a specific literary form, a numerical saying. The Metzudat David commentary explains that the sixth item listed is part of the seven, and the seventh is the most hateful of all . The Ralbag (Rabbi Levi ben Gershom) adds that the "seven" are all abominations to God, with the seventh being the most detested . Verse 16: The Numerical Riddle "Six things the LORD hates; and seven are an abomination to His soul." Rashi explains the wording: "The seventh, too, is included with them" . The Metzudat David clarifies that the seventh is "the most hateful of them all" . This is not a list of separate categories; it is a graded list, with the final sin being the ultimate expression of the others. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah) records a debate between Rabbi Meir and the Sages about whether this implies a total of thirteen or seven . Verse 17: The Three Sins of the Body "Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood." The Metzudat David explains "haughty eyes" as the sin of arrogance, looking down on others as if they are worthless . The Ralbag connects this to the final sin of sowing discord: a person who thinks too highly of himself will consider others as nothing, leading him to lie, shed blood, and ultimately cause strife . The progression from the eyes (sight) to the tongue (speech) to the hands (action) is a descending staircase of sin: from the moment of perception to the final violent act. Verse 18: The Sins of the Heart and Feet "A heart that deviseth wicked thoughts, feet that are swift in running to evil." This verse moves from the internal to the external. The "heart" (lev) is the seat of intention and planning. The "feet" (raglayim) are the instruments of execution. The Ralbag explains that the heart devises evil plots, and the feet hurry to carry them out . The rabbinic understanding is that the heart is the source of sin, and the feet are the vehicle that brings it to completion. Verse 19: The Ultimate Abomination "A false witness that breatheth out lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." This verse lists two sins in one breath: the false witness who lies under oath, and the one who creates strife between brothers. The Metzudat David explains that the false witness is one who "utters lies" . The Ralbag identifies the sower of discord as the seventh and most hated sin, the one who not only sins himself but actively destroys the peace between others . The Ralbag adds that this person speaks a harmful word that causes the listener to hate his brother . The Midrash on the Numerical Proverb The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah) records a debate between Rabbi Meir and the Sages. Rabbi Meir says that "six and seven" total thirteen abominations. The Sages say that seven are fulfilled (by the one who has all these traits), and the seventh is the most severe . According to the Ralbag, the seventh is the most abominable of all, because it incorporates all the others: it comes from a haughty heart, requires a lying tongue, and leads to violence and destruction . The Sages' Interpretation of Each Sin The Sages in the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah) explain that the "seven" abominations correspond to seven types of wicked people who will not inherit the World to Come. The Ralbag explains that the first six are hateful to God, but the seventh is the most detestable, because it destroys the bond of brotherhood and peace . The Metzudat David emphasizes that the seventh is "the most hateful of them all" . The Progression of Sin According to Rashi, the progression of these sins demonstrates how one sin leads to another . The haughty eyes lead to a lying tongue, which leads to violent hands, which leads to a plotting heart, which leads to swift feet, which leads to false witness and ultimately to the destruction of community. The Ralbag explains that the seventh sin, sowing discord, is the culmination because it incorporates all the others . #psalms #psalm #jewishtiktok #souloftorah #torahsoul

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Tuesday 23 June 2026 14:54:45 GMT