The story of Achan, found in the Book of Joshua, gives us a pretty stark answer. And it's a story echoed and expanded upon in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating early medieval text that weaves together biblical narrative, aggadah (Jewish storytelling), and halakha (Jewish law). : Joshua, successor to Moses, has just led the Israelites across the Jordan River. They’re facing Jericho, a formidable city. God commands that Jericho be placed under a herem. Everything in it – every object, every person – is to be devoted to God, which in practice meant destruction, a complete offering. It was to be burnt with all things therein by fire.
But then comes Achan, son of Carmi. Now, Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer fills in some details that maybe you missed in the original biblical account. It tells us he saw Teraphim – idols, basically. And silver offerings before them. And a beautiful mantle. And a tongue of gold in the idol's mouth. (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 38)
Now, Achan wasn't supposed to touch any of it. It was all under the ban, completely forbidden. But temptation got the better of him. He coveted those forbidden treasures, and he went and buried them right there in the middle of his tent, thinking he’d get away with it.
Big mistake.
The consequences were devastating. After the victory at Jericho, the Israelites went to conquer the much smaller city of Ai. They expected an easy win. Instead, they were soundly defeated. Thirty-six righteous men died! As it says in Joshua 7:5, "And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men."
Thirty-six lives lost because of one man's transgression. That’s how seriously they took the idea of herem! It wasn't just about the material value of the stolen goods; it was about the broken vow, the betrayal of God’s command, and the disruption of the entire community’s relationship with the Divine.
It makes you think, doesn’t it? About the power of our choices, and the ripple effects they can have. Achan’s story serves as a potent reminder that even seemingly small acts of disobedience can have enormous consequences. It’s a sobering thought, and a powerful lesson.