Why Even a Truthful Oath Destroyed Two Thousand Towns

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayikra 16:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Our masters said: Even concerning the truth one cannot swear. Why? Our masters taught: Let no one of Israel be unrestrained in vows, neither in jest, nor in misleading his fellow with an oath by saying that it is not an oath. There is a story about the King's Mountain, where there were two thousand towns, and all of them were destroyed on account of a truthful oath. And if it is thus for one who swears truthfully, then for one who swears falsely, how much the more so! How would they act? A person would say to his fellow, "An oath that I am going to such-and-such a place, and I will eat and drink," and they would go and do it and fulfill their oath. Therefore it is said (Leviticus 5:1): "If a soul sins…"

Themes

Divine JudgmentCovenantTruthAdam EveWomen

Biblical References

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