Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Commentary for Makkot 47:32

אמר רב מסתפינא מהאי קרא ואבדתם בגוים מתקיף לה רב פפא דלמא כאבידה המתבקשת דכתיב (תהלים קיט, קעו) תעיתי כשה אובד בקש עבדך אלא מסיפא [דקרא] (ויקרא כו, לח) ואכלה אתכם ארץ אויביכם מתקיף לה מר זוטרא דלמא כאכילת קישואין ודילועין

Rav said, I am worried from that verse, "and you will become lost among the nations". Rav Pappa challenged him, Perhaps, it refers to a lost article that one searches for, as it is written, (Psalms 119, 176) "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant". Rather, [Rav was worried] from the later part of the verse. (Leviticus 26,38) "And you will be consumed in the land of your enemies". Mar Zutra challenged him, Perhaps it refers to the eating of cucumbers and gourds [which still survive after some of them are consumed].

Rashi on Makkot

And he established them [the commandments] on eleven - For in the beginning, they were righteous and could accept upon themselves the yoke of the many commandments, but the later generations were not so righteous, and if she would try to keep all [of the commandments], there would be no person who could merit this, and [so] David came and established them [the commandments] etc. in order that they merit if they would fulfill these eleven commandments. And, similarly, at every hour, the subsequent (lit. lower) generations would continue to reduce them.
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