Derasha 1 on Vayikra 26:5

Parashas Bechukosai · Aliyah 1 · Passuk 5 · Unit 1

The Complete Passuk

וְהִשִּׂ֨יג לָכֶ֥ם דַּ֙יִשׁ֙ אֶת־בָּצִ֔יר וּבָצִ֖יר יַשִּׂ֣יג אֶת־זָ֑רַע וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם לַחְמְכֶם֙ לָשֹׂ֔בַע וִֽישַׁבְתֶּ֥ם לָבֶ֖טַח בְּאַרְצְכֶֽם׃

Chabad.org

Source Citation

Torah Temimah cites Toras Kohanim: “you shall eat your bread to satiety” means eating a little and being satisfied.

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
“וַאֲכַלְתֶּם לַחְמְכֶם לָשֹׂבַע” — אֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אָדָם אוֹכֵל הַרְבֵּה וְשָׂבֵעַ, אֶלָּא אוֹכֵל קִמְעָא וְהוּא מִתְבָּרֵךְ בְּמֵעָיו.

English: “You shall eat your bread to satiety” — it need not mean that a person eats a great deal and is full; rather, one eats a little and it is blessed in one’s innards.

Type of Learning

Qualitative blessing derasha — satiety through blessing, not quantity.

What Is Learned

Small amounts satisfy, so the body itself is blessed — distinct from the prior abundance of produce.