Yirmiyahu 8 | Why Do They Not Repent?

Unlike an ordinary person who stumbles and instinctively tries to rise, Yirmןyahu laments that the nation of Israel does not even attempt to stand back up and return with repentance. Playing on the linguistic connection of returning with repentance (in Hebrew ‘repentance’ [תשובה] and ‘waywardness’ [שובב] having a similar root), he describes their sins as waywardness — but instead of being a passing phase (like the modern expression “youthful mischief,”) their waywardness has become “an everlasting rebellion” (in Hebrew, rebellion and waywardness are both “שובב”).

Yirmiyahu identifies two primary reasons for their stubborn refusal to abandon their sins.

The first reason is lack of awareness. People are so caught up in the pace of life that they fail to pause for self-reflection, to consider whether there is anything they must correct or improve: “No one regrets his misdeed and says, ‘What have I done?’ They all persist in their course like a horse plunging headlong into battle” (8:6). This idea is strongly emphasized by the Ramchal in the trait of watchfulness (Midat Zehirut – Chapter 2) in his book ‘Path of the Just’ (Mesillat Yesharim). The Ramchal emphasizes how crucial it is to slow down, to stop, and to consider what is truly worthwhile and what is not. When one lives in constant motion, without pausing for reflection, there is no opportunity for change or repair.

Yet Yirmiyahu highlights the second reason even more: they are mistaken ideologically. The people of his time were not merely negligent or lazy in considering their ways. They did think about their actions — and nevertheless concluded that they were doing the right thing. Against this, Yirmiyahu cries out: “How dare you assert, ‘We are wise; with us is the Lord’s teaching’?” (8:8). We discussed their mistake yesterday: they believe that God made an eternal covenant with Jerusalem and Yehuda, and that no matter what they do, God will always be on their side — and on the side of His Temple. This is a fundamental error, but a religious one. Yirmiyahu tries to warn them that the Temple will be destroyed, Jerusalem will fall, and they must mend their ways. But the people believe Yirmiyahu is the heretic — denying God’s power, His covenant, and the sanctity of Jerusalem. The prophet is not simply calling the people to repent; he is confronting the very foundations of their religious worldview. And against such a misconception, debate becomes more difficult.

[As a point for reflection, imagine a prophet declaring that Torah study and prayer should not be at the center of divine service, but rather vegetarianism and environmentalism. How would you respond?]