R. Shimon b. Yochai says: A loaf and a rod descended intertwined from heaven. The Holy One Blessed be He said to Israel: If you observe the Torah, here is the loaf to eat. If not, here is the rod to be smitten with. And where is this articulated? — (Isaiah 1:19-20) “If you accept and you heed, the good of the earth shall you eat; and if you refuse and rebel, the sword will devour you. For the mouth of the L-rd has spoken.”
R. Eliezer says: A scroll and a sword descended intertwined from heaven. He said to them: If you observe the Torah written in the one, you will be saved from the other; if not, you will be smitten by it. And where is this articulated — (Bereshith 3:24) “And He drove the man out (of Eden), and He posted east of Eden the cherubs and the flash of the revolving sword to guard the way of the tree of life.”
— Sifrei on Deuteronomy #40
