Derasha 1 on Vayikra 26:8

Parashas Bechukosai · Aliyah 1 · Passuk 8 · Unit 1

The Complete Passuk

וְרָדְפ֨וּ מִכֶּ֤ם חֲמִשָּׁה֙ מֵאָ֔ה וּמֵאָ֥ה מִכֶּ֖ם רְבָבָ֣ה יִרְדֹּ֑פוּ וְנָפְל֧וּ אֹיְבֵיכֶ֛ם לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם לֶחָֽרֶב׃

Torah Temimah cites Toras Kohanim: “from among you” means even the weak among you.

Core Text

“וְרָדְפוּ מִכֶּם” — מִכֶּם, מִן הַחַלָּשִׁים שֶׁבָּכֶם, וְלֹא מִן הַגִּבּוֹרִים שֶׁבָּכֶם.

English: “Five of you shall chase a hundred” — “of you” means from the weak among you, not (only) from the mighty among you.

Inclusive / qualitative derasha resolving the contrast with Haazinu’s “one shall chase a thousand.”

Even the weaker members of the people will put larger forces to flight — a sign of the blessing’s strength.