Divine Justice Against Oppression

כשעמדה מלכות יון הרשעה להשכיחם כו'.

“When the wicked Greek kingdom rose to make them forget…”

The Sefat Emet begins by describing the intent of the Greek empire, whose primary aim was to cause Israel to forget the Torah.

דאיתא במדרש תהלים בפסוק למה רגשו כו' ננתקה את מוסרותימו כו'.

As it is stated in Midrash Tehillim on the verse “Why do the nations rage… ‘Let us break Their bonds.’”

The Midrash teaches that the nations seek to sever Israel's spiritual bonds with God.

כי כשבאין הרשעים לבטל עול תורה ומצות מבנ"י כמ"ש על ה' ומשיחו.

For when the wicked come to nullify the yoke of Torah and mitzvot from Israel, as it is said, “Against God and His anointed.”

The opposition of evil powers is directed not only at Israel but at God and His mission itself.

אז יושב בשמים ישחק ע"ש.

Then “He who sits in Heaven laughs.”

God’s response to such rebellion is a higher, transcendent judgment that nullifies their schemes.

כי לא די להם שמשעבדין גופות בני ישראל ורוצין עוד לבטל עול מלכותו ית' מעלינו לכן בדין הוא שינקום הקב"ה נקמתינו מהם.

For it is not enough for them to subjugate the bodies of Israel; they also seek to remove from us the yoke of His blessed kingship—therefore it is just that God take vengeance upon them.

The Sefat Emet explains that spiritual oppression is a deeper injustice than physical domination, and thus divine retribution is deserved.

וזה הי' עיקר עצת הרשעים הללו.

And this was the main counsel of these wicked ones.

Their central goal was the erasure of Israel’s spiritual identity.

וגם עתה בדורות הללו הרשעים קמים לבטל עול תורה והוא סימן לבוא עת מפלה שלהם.

And even now, in these generations, the wicked arise to nullify the yoke of Torah, and this is a sign that their downfall is approaching.

The same spiritual pattern repeats throughout history: when opposition to Torah grows, it signals the nearing end of that oppressive force.

דאיתא מלכות הרביעית כולל כל הג' מלכיות לכן ראה דניאל חי' רביעית בפ"ע ע"ש.

For it is taught that the fourth kingdom includes all three earlier kingdoms; therefore Daniel saw the fourth beast independently.

The final oppressive power contains within it the essence of all previous exiles, which is why Daniel’s vision portrays it as a distinct and overwhelming force.

וממילא סוף המלכות שלהם באים להשכיח מאתנו ח"ו תורת ה'.

And thus, at the end of their kingdom, they come—God forbid—to make us forget the Torah of God.

The climax of exile is characterized by attempts to sever Israel from Torah.

ומצפין אנו שירחם הקב"ה עלינו במהרה וינקום נקמתינו מהם.

And we await that the Holy One will soon show mercy to us and take vengeance upon them.

The section concludes with hope for divine compassion and the overturning of oppressive forces.

The Sefat Emet teaches that the Greek decree to make Israel forget the Torah exemplifies a recurring pattern: when wicked powers intensify their attempt to erase Torah, it heralds their imminent downfall. This dynamic has persisted through the four kingdoms of exile, and the ultimate redemption comes when God restores Israel and overturns their oppressors.