Seven Forbidden Arts and the Seven Punishments of Af

Midrash Aggadah, Leviticus 26:18

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And if even with these you will not listen to Me" (Leviticus 26:18). Rabbi Eliezer says: The Holy One, blessed be He, does not bring punishment upon Israel until He first testifies against them, as it is said, "And if even with these you will not listen to Me." [Rabbi Yehoshua says: so that Israel should not say, "The plagues are finished"]: I still have plagues like these and like these that I will bring upon you. You transgressed before Me with seven transgressions; come and receive seven punishments. The explanation of the seven transgressions: a soothsayer, and a diviner, and a sorcerer, and a caster of spells, and one who consults a ghost, and a wizard, and one who inquires of the dead. I will bring upon you seven plagues that are written with seven "af" (anger).

Themes

Divine JusticeAdam EvePlaguesHumorPunishment

Biblical References

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