Devarim 4 · Pshat

4:1

וְעַתָּה יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁמַע אֶל־הַֽחֻקִּים וְאֶל־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר אָֽנֹכִי מְלַמֵּד אֶתְכֶם לַעֲשׂוֹת לְמַעַן תִּֽחְיוּ וּבָאתֶם וִֽירִשְׁתֶּם אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם נֹתֵן לָכֶֽם׃

And now Yisroel, listen to the statutes and to the laws that I am teaching you to fulfill, in order that you will live, and will arrive in, and will inherit the land that Adonoy, the God of your fathers, is giving you.

4:2

לֹא תֹסִפוּ עַל־הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ מִמֶּנּוּ לִשְׁמֹר אֶת־מִצְוֺת יְהֹוָה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶֽם׃

Do not add to the matters that I am commanding you, and do not subtract from them; to guard the commandments of Adonoy, your God, that I am commanding you.

Rashi

לא תספו. כְּגוֹן חָמֵשׁ פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת בַּתְּפִלִּין, חֲמֵשֶׁת מִינִין בַּלּוּלָב, וְחָמֵשׁ צִיצִיּוֹת, וְכֵן "לֹא תִגְרְעוּ" (ע' ספרי פ' ראה):

Do not add. For instance to place five parshiyos in the tefillin, to take five species [of fruit] for the mitzvah of lulav, to place five fringes [instead of four on one’s garment]; and this also applies to (the command), “And do not subtract from them.”

4:3

עֵֽינֵיכֶם הָֽרֹאוֹת אֵת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה יְהֹוָה בְּבַעַל פְּעוֹר כִּי כׇל־הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי בַֽעַל־פְּעוֹר הִשְׁמִידוֹ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃

Your eyes have witnessed what Adonoy did regarding Ba’al Peor, that every man who followed Ba’al Peor—Adonoy, your God, destroyed him from within you.

4:4

וְאַתֶּם הַדְּבֵקִים בַּיהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם חַיִּים כֻּלְּכֶם הַיּֽוֹם׃

But you who cling to Adonoy, your God—all of you are alive today.

4:5

רְאֵה ׀ לִמַּדְתִּי אֶתְכֶם חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוַּנִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָי לַעֲשׂוֹת כֵּן בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם בָּאִים שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

See, I have taught you statutes and laws as I was commanded by Adonoy, my God, to fulfill within the land that you are arriving there to inherit.

4:6

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם כִּי הִוא חׇכְמַתְכֶם וּבִינַתְכֶם לְעֵינֵי הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁמְעוּן אֵת כׇּל־הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה וְאָמְרוּ רַק עַם־חָכָם וְנָבוֹן הַגּוֹי הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּֽה׃

You will preserve and you will fulfill [them], for that [displays] your wisdom and your understanding before the nations, who will hear all these statutes and will say, ‘‘The only wise and understanding people is this great nation.’’

Rashi

ושמרתם. זוֹ מִשְׁנָה:

You will preserve them. This refers to the study of the Mishnah.

ועשיתם. כְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ (שם):

And you will fulfill them. As literally implied.

כי הוא חכמתכם ובינתכם וגו'. בָּזֹאת תֵּחָשְׁבוּ חֲכָמִים וּנְבוֹנִים לְעֵינֵי הָעַמִּים:

For that [displays] your wisdom and understanding, etc. Through this you will be considered wise and understanding in the eyes of the nations.

4:7

כִּי מִי־גוֹי גָּדוֹל אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ אֱלֹהִים קְרֹבִים אֵלָיו כַּיהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּכׇל־קׇרְאֵנוּ אֵלָֽיו׃

For who is a great nation that has God close to it as [is] Adonoy, our God, whenever we call to Him?

4:8

וּמִי גּוֹי גָּדוֹל אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים צַדִּיקִם כְּכֹל הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן לִפְנֵיכֶם הַיּֽוֹם׃

And who is a great nation that has upright statutes and laws, like this entire Torah that I am putting before you today?

Rashi

חקים ומשפטים צדיקם. הֲגוּנִים וּמְקֻבָּלִים:

Upright statutes and laws. That are proper and acceptable.

4:9

רַק הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ וּשְׁמֹר נַפְשְׁךָ מְאֹד פֶּן־תִּשְׁכַּח אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר־רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ וּפֶן־יָסוּרוּ מִלְּבָבְךָ כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ וְהוֹדַעְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְלִבְנֵי בָנֶֽיךָ׃

Look out for yourself and guard your life exceedingly, lest you forget the words your eyes witnessed, and lest they are removed from your mind, all the days of your life; you will make them known to your children and to your grandchildren.

Rashi

רק השמר לך … פן תשכח את הדברים. אָז, כְּשֶׁלֹּא תִשְׁכְּחוּ אוֹתָם וְתַעֲשׂוּם עַל אֲמִתָּתָם, תֵּחָשְׁבוּ חֲכָמִים וּנְבוֹנִים, וְאִם תְּעַוְּתוּ אוֹתָם מִתּוֹךְ שִׁכְחָה, תֵּחָשְׁבוּ שׁוֹטִים:

[Only] look out for yourself, etc. Lest you forget the words. Then, if you do not forget them, and you fulfill them correctly will you be considered wise and understanding; but if you distort them through forgetfulness, you will be considered fools.

4:10

יוֹם אֲשֶׁר עָמַדְתָּ לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּחֹרֵב בֶּאֱמֹר יְהֹוָה אֵלַי הַקְהֶל־לִי אֶת־הָעָם וְאַשְׁמִעֵם אֶת־דְּבָרָי אֲשֶׁר יִלְמְדוּן לְיִרְאָה אֹתִי כׇּל־הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר הֵם חַיִּים עַל־הָאֲדָמָה וְאֶת־בְּנֵיהֶם יְלַמֵּדֽוּן׃

The day you stood before Adonoy, your God, at Choreiv, when Adonoy said to me, ‘‘Assemble for Me the people, and I will let them hear My statements, so that they will learn to fear Me all the years that they are living on the land, and will teach their sons.’’

Rashi

יום אשר עמדת. מוּסָב עַל מִקְרָא שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה מִמֶּנּוּ אשר ראו עיניך – יום אשר עמדת בחרב אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתָ הַקּוֹלוֹת וְאֶת הַלַּפִּידִים:

The day you stood. This verse is connected with the preceding verse: “[the words] your eyes witnessed” on the day you stood at Choreiv, where you saw the thunder and lightning.

יִלְמְדוּן. יֵלְפוּן – לְעַצְמָם:

They will learn. For themselves [ יֵלְפוּן ].

יְלַמֵּדוּן. יְאַלְּפוּן – לַאֲחֵרִים:

They will teach. Others. [ יְאַלְפוּן ].

4:11

וַתִּקְרְבוּן וַתַּֽעַמְדוּן תַּחַת הָהָר וְהָהָר בֹּעֵר בָּאֵשׁ עַד־לֵב הַשָּׁמַיִם חֹשֶׁךְ עָנָן וַעֲרָפֶֽל׃

You approached and stood beneath the mountain, while the mountain was burning with fire up to the heart of the heavens—darkness, cloud, and thick cloud.

4:12

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֲלֵיכֶם מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵשׁ קוֹל דְּבָרִים אַתֶּם שֹׁמְעִים וּתְמוּנָה אֵינְכֶם רֹאִים זוּלָתִי קֽוֹל׃

Adonoy addressed you from within the fire; you heard the sound of speech, seeing no image, solely sound.

4:13

וַיַּגֵּד לָכֶם אֶת־בְּרִיתוֹ אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה אֶתְכֶם לַעֲשׂוֹת עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵם עַל־שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת אֲבָנִֽים׃

He told you His covenant, which He commanded you to fulfill—the ten statements—and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.

4:14

וְאֹתִי צִוָּה יְהֹוָה בָּעֵת הַהִוא לְלַמֵּד אֶתְכֶם חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים לַעֲשֹׂתְכֶם אֹתָם בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם עֹבְרִים שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

Adonoy commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and laws, for you to fulfill them in the land that you are crossing over there to inherit.

Rashi

ואתי צוה ה' ללמד אתכם. תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה:

Adonoy commanded me at that time to teach you. This refers to the Oral Law.

4:15

וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּם מְאֹד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם כִּי לֹא רְאִיתֶם כׇּל־תְּמוּנָה בְּיוֹם דִּבֶּר יְהֹוָה אֲלֵיכֶם בְּחֹרֵב מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵֽשׁ׃

Be extremely cautious for your lives, for you did not see any image on the day Adonoy addressed you at Choreiv from within the fire.

4:16

פֶּן־תַּשְׁחִתוּן וַעֲשִׂיתֶם לָכֶם פֶּסֶל תְּמוּנַת כׇּל־סָמֶל תַּבְנִית זָכָר אוֹ נְקֵבָֽה׃

Lest you destructively make for yourselves a statue in the image of any form, the representation of a male or a female;

Rashi

סמל. צוּרָה:

סָמֶל . Form.

4:17

תַּבְנִית כׇּל־בְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ תַּבְנִית כׇּל־צִפּוֹר כָּנָף אֲשֶׁר תָּעוּף בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

[or] the representation of any animal that is on earth; [or] the representation of any winged bird that flies in the sky;

4:18

תַּבְנִית כׇּל־רֹמֵשׂ בָּאֲדָמָה תַּבְנִית כׇּל־דָּגָה אֲשֶׁר־בַּמַּיִם מִתַּחַת לָאָֽרֶץ׃

[or] the representation of anything that crawls on the ground; [or] the representation of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth.

4:19

וּפֶן־תִּשָּׂא עֵינֶיךָ הַשָּׁמַיְמָה וְֽרָאִיתָ אֶת־הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְאֶת־הַיָּרֵחַ וְאֶת־הַכּֽוֹכָבִים כֹּל צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם וְנִדַּחְתָּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתָ לָהֶם וַעֲבַדְתָּם אֲשֶׁר חָלַק יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֹתָם לְכֹל הָֽעַמִּים תַּחַת כׇּל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

Or lest you raise your eyes heavenward and see the sun or the moon or the stars—the entire host of the heavens—and you will err and bow to them and worship them, when Adonoy, your God, has made them available to all the peoples who are under the whole sky.

Rashi

ופן תשא עיניך. לְהִסְתַּכֵּל בַּדָּבָר וְלָתֵת לֵב לִטְעוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶם:

Or lest you raise your eyes [heavenward] — to speculate about the matter, and to set your heart to blunder after them.

אשר חלק ה'. לְהָאִיר לָהֶם (מגילה ט'); דָּ"אַ לֶאֱלוֹהוֹת, לֹא מְנָעָן מִלִּטְעוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶם אֶלָּא הֶחֱלִיקָם בְּדִבְרֵי הַבְלֵיהֶם לְטָרְדָם מִן הָעוֹלָם, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (תהלים ל"ו) "כִּי הֶחֱלִיק אֵלָיו בְּעֵינָיו לִמְצֹא עֲוֹנוֹ לִשְׂנֹא" (עבודה זרה נ"ה):

When Adonoy has made them available to provide them with light. Another explanation: [He made them available] as deities. He did not prevent them from blundering after them, but paved the way for them [to err] through their meaningless speculations, in order to banish them from the world. Similarly it states: “For he smoothes [the way] before his eyes, causing Him [God] to discover his iniquity for which He will hate him.

4:20

וְאֶתְכֶם לָקַח יְהֹוָה וַיּוֹצִא אֶתְכֶם מִכּוּר הַבַּרְזֶל מִמִּצְרָיִם לִהְיוֹת לוֹ לְעַם נַחֲלָה כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃

But Adonoy took you [for Himself] when He took you out of the iron crucible, from Egypt, to be for Him a people-territory like this day.

Rashi

מכור. כּוּר הוּא כְלִי שֶׁמְּזַקְּקִים בּוֹ אֶת הַזָּהָב:

[Iron] crucible. This is a vessel in which gold is refined.

4:21

וַֽיהֹוָה הִתְאַנַּף־בִּי עַל־דִּבְרֵיכֶם וַיִּשָּׁבַע לְבִלְתִּי עׇבְרִי אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן וּלְבִלְתִּי־בֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ הַטּוֹבָה אֲשֶׁר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָֽה׃

Yet Adonoy grew angry at me on account of your statements, and He swore that I would not cross the Yardein and would not enter the good land that Adonoy, your God, is giving you as territory.

Rashi

התאנף. נִתְמַלֵּא רֹגֶז:

Grew angry. He was filled with wrath.

על דבריכם. עַל אוֹדוֹתֵיכֶם, עַל עִסְקֵיכֶם:

On account of your statements. Because of your attitude and your actions.

4:22

כִּי אָנֹכִי מֵת בָּאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת אֵינֶנִּי עֹבֵר אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן וְאַתֶּם עֹֽבְרִים וִֽירִשְׁתֶּם אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַטּוֹבָה הַזֹּֽאת׃

For I am to die in this land, I am not crossing the Yardein; but you are crossing, and will inherit this good land.

Rashi

כי אנכי מת וגו' אינני עבר. מֵאַחַר שֶׁמֵּת מֵהֵיכָן יַעֲבֹר? אֶלָּא אַף עַצְמוֹתַי אֵינָם עוֹבְרִים (ספרי במדבר כ"ז):

For I am to die — I am not crossing. Since he was to die, how was he to cross? But [what he meant was] “even my bones will not cross over.”

4:23

הִשָּׁמְרוּ לָכֶם פֶּֽן־תִּשְׁכְּחוּ אֶת־בְּרִית יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת עִמָּכֶם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם לָכֶם פֶּסֶל תְּמוּנַת כֹּל אֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃

Look out for yourselves lest you forget the covenant of Adonoy, your God, that He made with you, and you make for yourselves a statue—an image of anything—that Adonoy, your God, commanded you.

Rashi

תמונת כל. תְּמוּנַת כָּל דָּבָר:

An image of anything. The likeness of any object.

אשר צוך ה'. אֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ שֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת:

That Adonoy commanded you. That He commanded you not to make.

4:24

כִּי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֵשׁ אֹכְלָה הוּא אֵל קַנָּֽא׃ {פ}

For Adonoy, your God, is a consuming fire, a jealous Almighty.

Rashi

אל קנא. מְקַנֵּא לִנְקֹם, אנפר"מנט בְּלַעַז, מִתְחָרֶה עַל רָגְזוֹ לְהִפָּרַע מֵעוֹבְדֵי עֲ"זָ:

A jealous Almighty. He is jealous to take vengeance; In Old French — emportement. His anger is glowing to punish those who worship idols.

4:25

כִּֽי־תוֹלִיד בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּם בָּאָרֶץ וְהִשְׁחַתֶּם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם פֶּסֶל תְּמוּנַת כֹּל וַעֲשִׂיתֶם הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהֹוָה־אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְהַכְעִיסֽוֹ׃

When you have children and grandchildren, and have grown old in the land; and you will be corrupt and make a statue—an image of anything—and do what is evil in the eyes of Adonoy, your God, to anger Him.

Rashi

ונושנתם. רָמַז לָהֶם שֶׁיִּגְלוּ מִמֶּנָּה לְסוֹף שְׁמוֹנֶה מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם שָׁנָה כְּמִנְיַן "וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּם", וְהוּא הִקְדִּים וְהִגְלָם לְסוֹף שְׁמוֹנֶה מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים, וְהִקְדִּים שְׁתֵּי שָׁנִים לִ"וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּם", כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִתְקַיֵּם בָּהֶם כִּי אָבֹד תֹּאבֵדוּן, וְזֶהוּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דניאל ט') "וַיִּשְׁקֹד עַל הָרָעָה וַיְבִיאֶהָ עָלֵינוּ כִּי צַדִּיק ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ" – צְדָקָה עָשָׂה עִמָּנוּ שֶׁמִּהֵר לַהֲבִיאָהּ שְׁתֵּי שָׁנִים לִפְנֵי זְמַנָּהּ (סנהדרין ל"ח; גיטין פ"ח):

And have grown old. He hinted to them that they would be exiled from it at the end of eight hundred and fifty-two years, which is the numerical value [gematria] of וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּם . But he sent them into exile earlier — at the end of eight hundred and fifty years. He exiled them two years earlier than the numerical value of וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּם so they would not suffer the fulfillment of “that you will be completely removed [from the land].” And this is [the meaning of] what is said: “And Adonoy precipitated the evil, and He brought it upon us, for Adonoy our God is righteous.” He acted righteously [charitably צְדָקָה) with us, for He hastened to bring [the evil] two years before its time.

4:26

הַעִידֹתִי בָכֶם הַיּוֹם אֶת־הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ כִּֽי־אָבֹד תֹּאבֵדוּן מַהֵר מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם עֹבְרִים אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ לֹֽא־תַאֲרִיכֻן יָמִים עָלֶיהָ כִּי הִשָּׁמֵד תִּשָּׁמֵדֽוּן׃

I bring as witness against you today heaven and earth, that you will be completely and swiftly removed from upon the land, that you are crossing the Yardein there to inherit; you will not live long upon it, but will be completely destroyed.

Rashi

העידתי בכם. הִנְנִי מַזְמִינָם לִהְיוֹת עֵדִים שֶׁהִתְרֵיתִי בָכֶם:

I bring as witness against you. I have designated them to be witnesses that I have warned you.

4:27

וְהֵפִיץ יְהֹוָה אֶתְכֶם בָּעַמִּים וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם מְתֵי מִסְפָּר בַּגּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר יְנַהֵג יְהֹוָה אֶתְכֶם שָֽׁמָּה׃

Adonoy will disperse you among the peoples, and you will remain few in number among the nations that Adonoy leads you to.

4:28

וַעֲבַדְתֶּם־שָׁם אֱלֹהִים מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵי אָדָם עֵץ וָאֶבֶן אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־יִרְאוּן וְלֹא יִשְׁמְעוּן וְלֹא יֹֽאכְלוּן וְלֹא יְרִיחֻֽן׃

There you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone that do not see, do not hear, do not eat, and do not smell.

Rashi

ועבדתם שם אלהים. כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ, מִשֶּׁאַתֶּם עוֹבְדִים לְעוֹבְדֵיהֶם כְּאִלּוּ אַתֶּם עוֹבְדִים לָהֶם:

There you will serve gods. [This should be understood] as the Targum [has it]: Since you will serve those who worship them [idols] it will be considered as though you worship them [idols].

4:29

וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם מִשָּׁם אֶת־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וּמָצָאתָ כִּי תִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ בְּכׇל־לְבָבְךָ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃

You will seek from there Adonoy, your God, and you will find [Him], when you seek Him wholeheartedly and with your whole being.

4:30

בַּצַּר לְךָ וּמְצָאוּךָ כֹּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים וְשַׁבְתָּ עַד־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְשָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקֹלֽוֹ׃

When you are in distress and all these things happen to you, at the end of time, you will return to Adonoy, your God, and will obey Him.

4:31

כִּי אֵל רַחוּם יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לֹא יַרְפְּךָ וְלֹא יַשְׁחִיתֶךָ וְלֹא יִשְׁכַּח אֶת־בְּרִית אֲבֹתֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לָהֶֽם׃

For a merciful Almighty is Adonoy, your God; He will not forsake you nor destroy you; nor will He forget the covenant of your fathers that He swore to them.

Rashi

לא ירפך. מִלְּהַחֲזִיק בְּךָ בְּיָדָיו, וּלְשׁוֹן לֹא יַרְפְּךָ לְשׁוֹן לֹא יַפְעִיל הוּא – לֹא יִתֵּן לְךָ רִפְיוֹן, לֹא יַפְרִישׁ אוֹתְךָ מֵאֶצְלוֹ, וְכֵן "אֲחַזְתִּיו וְלֹא אַרְפֶּנּוּ" (שיר השירים ג') שֶׁלֹּא נִנְקַד אֶרְפֶּנּוּ; כָּל לְשׁוֹן רִפְיוֹן מוּסָב עַל לְשׁוֹן מַפְעִיל וּמִתְפַּעֵל, כְּמוֹ "הַרְפֵּה לָהּ" (מלכים ב ד') – תֵּן לָהּ רִפְיוֹן, "הֶרֶף מִמֶּנִּי" (דברים ט') – הִתְרַפֵּה מִמֶּנִּי:

He will not forsake you by not supporting you with His hands. The expression of לֹא יַרְפְּךָ is an expression signifying that He will not cause something — he will not cause you to be weakened [forsaken], for He will not separate you from Him. Similarly, “I grasped him and would not let him go,” the word אַרְפֶּנוּ is not vocalized אֶרְפֶֶּנוּ . The term רִפְיוֹן always refers to the causative or reflexive form — [one who forsakes others or one who causes himself to be forsaken], as for example: ”Leave her alone,” — let her be released. ”Leave Me alone” — release yourself from Me.

4:32

כִּי שְׁאַל־נָא לְיָמִים רִֽאשֹׁנִים אֲשֶׁר־הָיוּ לְפָנֶיךָ לְמִן־הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים ׀ אָדָם עַל־הָאָרֶץ וּלְמִקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִם וְעַד־קְצֵה הַשָּׁמָיִם הֲנִֽהְיָה כַּדָּבָר הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה אוֹ הֲנִשְׁמַע כָּמֹֽהוּ׃

Inquire now about the early years that preceded you, from the day that God created Adam on earth and from one end of the heavens to the other end of the heavens: Did anything ever happen comparable to this great event, or did anyone ever hear of such a thing?

Rashi

לימים ראשונים. עַל יָמִים רִאשׁוֹנִים:

The early years. Regarding the early years.

ולמקצה השמים. וְגַם שְׁאַל לְכָל הַבְּרוּאִים אֲשֶׁר מִקָּצֶה אֶל קָצֶה, זֶהוּ פְּשׁוּטוֹ; וּמִדְרָשׁוֹ, מְלַמֵּד עַל קוֹמָתוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם שֶׁהָיְתָה מִן הָאָרֶץ עַד הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְהוּא הַשִּׁעוּר עַצְמוֹ אֲשֶׁר מִקָּצֶה אֶל קָצֶה (סנהדרין ל"ח):

From one end of the heavens. Also inquire of all the creatures [that exist] from one end [of heaven] to the other end. This is its plain meaning; but a Midrashic explanation teaches us regarding the height of Adam which reached from earth to heaven, which is the same measurement as from one end [of the heavens] to the other end.

הנהיה כדבר הגדול הזה. וּמַהוּ הַדָּבָר הַגָּדוֹל, השמע עם וגו':

Did anything ever happen comparable to this great event? And what is this great event? [See next verses] Did any people [ever hear], etc.

4:33

הֲשָׁמַֽע עָם קוֹל אֱלֹהִים מְדַבֵּר מִתּוֹךְ־הָאֵשׁ כַּאֲשֶׁר־שָׁמַעְתָּ אַתָּה וַיֶּֽחִי׃

Did any people [ever] hear God’s voice speaking from within the fire as you heard and survive?

4:34

אוֹ ׀ הֲנִסָּה אֱלֹהִים לָבוֹא לָקַחַת לוֹ גוֹי מִקֶּרֶב גּוֹי בְּמַסֹּת בְּאֹתֹת וּבְמוֹפְתִים וּבְמִלְחָמָה וּבְיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה וּבְמוֹרָאִים גְּדֹלִים כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה לָכֶם יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם בְּמִצְרַיִם לְעֵינֶֽיךָ׃

Or did any god ever miraculously come and take for himself a nation from within a nation through tests, with signs and with wonders, and through warfare, and with a strong hand and with an extended arm, and with great displays; entirely as Adonoy, your God, did for you in Egypt as you watched?

Rashi

או הנסה אלהים. הֲכִי עָשָׂה נִסִּים שׁוּם אֱלוֹהַּ לבוא לקחת לו גוי וגו', כָּל הֵהִי"ן הַלָּלוּ תְּמִיהוֹת הֵן, לְכָךְ נְקוּדוֹת הֵן בַּחֲטָף פַּתָּח: הֲנִהְיָה, הֲנִשְׁמַע, הֲשָׁמַע הֲנִסָּה:

Did any god ever miraculously [come]. Has any god ever performed such miracles to come and take for himself a nation, etc. All these letters hei (ה) are interrogative prefixes, and are therefore vocalized with chataph patach: הֲנִהְיָה — Did anything ever happen. הֲנִשְׁמַע — Did anyone ever hear הֲשָׁמַע — Did any people ever hear. הֲנִסָּה — Did any god ever miraculously.

במסת. עַל יְדֵי נִסְיוֹנוֹת הוֹדִיעָם גְּבוּרוֹתָיו, כְּגוֹן "הִתְפָּאֵר עָלַי" (שמות ח') אִם אוּכַל לַעֲשׂוֹת כֵּן, הֲרֵי זֶה נִסָּיוֹן:

Through tests. By means of tests, he made His mighty deeds known to them, for example: “Glorify yourself at my expense,” whether I will be able to do so. This is an example of a test.

באתת. בְּסִימָנִין, לְהַאֲמִין שֶׁהוּא שְׁלוּחוֹ שֶׁל מָקוֹם, כְּגוֹן "מַה זֶּה בְיָדֶךָ" (שם ד'):

With signs. With signs to confirm that he [Moshe] is the messenger of the Almighty, for example, “What is that in your hand.”

ובמופתים. הֵם נִפְלָאוֹת, שֶׁהֵבִיא עֲלֵיהֶם מַכּוֹת מֻפְלָאוֹת:

With wonders. These refer to the wonders that He brought upon them — the astonishing plagues.

ובמלחמה. בַּיָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי ה' נִלְחָם לָהֶם" (שם י"ד):

Through warfare. [This refers to the episode] of the [Reed] Sea, as it is said, “For Adonoy is fighting for them.”

4:35

אַתָּה הׇרְאֵתָ לָדַעַת כִּי יְהֹוָה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים אֵין עוֹד מִלְּבַדּֽוֹ׃

You have been shown that you might know that Adonoy, He is the God; there is no [power] other than He.

Rashi

הראת. כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ "אִתְחֲזֵיתָא"; כְּשֶׁנָּתַן הַקָּבָּ"ה אֶת הַתּוֹרָה פָּתַח לָהֶם שִׁבְעָה רְקִיעִים, וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁקָּרַע אֶת הָעֶלְיוֹנִים כָּךְ קָרַע אֶת הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים, וְרָאוּ שֶׁהוּא יְחִידִי, לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר "אַתָּה הָרְאֵתָ לָדַעַת":

You have been shown. The word הָרְאֵתָ according to Targum Onkelos means “You were shown.” When the Holy One, blessed is He, gave the Torah, He lay open for them the seven heavens. And just as he split [opened] the upper spheres so too did He split the lower spheres, and thus they saw that He is the only One. It is therefore stated: “You have been shown that you might know.”

4:36

מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם הִשְׁמִֽיעֲךָ אֶת־קֹלוֹ לְיַסְּרֶךָּ וְעַל־הָאָרֶץ הֶרְאֲךָ אֶת־אִשּׁוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה וּדְבָרָיו שָׁמַעְתָּ מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵֽשׁ׃

From the sky He made audible to you His voice to teach you, and on the earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words form within the fire.

4:37

וְתַחַת כִּי אָהַב אֶת־אֲבֹתֶיךָ וַיִּבְחַר בְּזַרְעוֹ אַחֲרָיו וַיּוֹצִֽאֲךָ בְּפָנָיו בְּכֹחוֹ הַגָּדֹל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃

Because He loved your forefathers, He chose his descendants after him; and He took you out before Him with His great strength from Egypt.

Rashi

ותחת כי אהב. וְכָל זֶה תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר אָהַב:

Because He loved [your fathers]. And all this was because He loved [your fathers].

ויוצאך בפניו. כְּאָדָם הַמַּנְהִיג בְּנוֹ לְפָנָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וַיִּסַּע מַלְאַךְ הָאֱלֹהִים הַהֹלֵךְ וְגוֹ' וַיֵּלֶךְ מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶם" (שם). דָּ"אַ, ויוצאך בפניו – בִּפְנֵי אֲבוֹתָיו, כְּמָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "נֶגֶד אֲבוֹתָם עָשָׂה פֶלֶא" (תהילים ע"ח); וְאַל תִּתְמַהּ עַל שֶׁהִזְכִּירָם בִּלְשׁוֹן יָחִיד, שֶׁהֲרֵי כְתָבָם בִּלְשׁוֹן יָחִיד – ויבחר בזרעו אחריו:

And He took you out before Him. Like a man who leads his son before him, as it is said, “the angel of God moved [from its position] when it traveled in front of the Israelite camp, and went behind them.” Another explanation: “And He took you out in His Presence,” in the presence of their fathers, as it is said, “In the presence of their fathers, He did wonders.” Do not be puzzled that it refers to them (the fathers) in the singular for it has [already] written about them in the singular, “And He chose his descendants after him.”

4:38

לְהוֹרִישׁ גּוֹיִם גְּדֹלִים וַעֲצֻמִים מִמְּךָ מִפָּנֶיךָ לַהֲבִֽיאֲךָ לָֽתֶת־לְךָ אֶת־אַרְצָם נַחֲלָה כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃

To expel nations greater and stronger than you from before you; to bring you in [and] to give you their land as terrritory, like this day.

Rashi

ממך מפניך. סָרְסֵהוּ וְדָרְשֵׁהוּ: לְהוֹרִישׁ מִפָּנֶיךָ גּוֹיִם גְּדוֹלִים וַעֲצוּמִים מִמְּךָ:

[Stronger] than you from before you. Invert [the order of the verse] and then explain it: “to expel from before you nations greater and stronger than you.”

כיום הזה. כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה רוֹאֶה הַיּוֹם:

Like this day. Just like you see this day.

4:39

וְיָדַעְתָּ הַיּוֹם וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ אֶל־לְבָבֶךָ כִּי יְהֹוָה הוּא הָֽאֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל וְעַל־הָאָרֶץ מִתָּחַת אֵין עֽוֹד׃

You will know today, and will restore to your perception that Adonoy is the God in heaven above and on earth below; there is no other.

4:40

וְשָׁמַרְתָּ אֶת־חֻקָּיו וְאֶת־מִצְוֺתָיו אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִיטַב לְךָ וּלְבָנֶיךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ וּלְמַעַן תַּאֲרִיךְ יָמִים עַל־הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ {פ}

You will guard His statutes and His commandments, which I am commanding you today, so that you have it good and your children after you, and in order that you live long on the land that Adonoy, your God, is giving you for all time.

4:41

אָז יַבְדִּיל מֹשֶׁה שָׁלֹשׁ עָרִים בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן מִזְרְחָה שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃

Then Moshe set aside three cities across the Yardein, where the sun rises,

Rashi

אז יבדיל. נָתַן לֵב לִהְיוֹת חָרֵד לַדָּבָר שֶׁיַּבְדִּילֵם, וְאַעַ"פִּ שֶׁאֵינָן קוֹלְטוֹת עַד שֶׁיֻּבְדְּלוּ אוֹתָן שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן, אָמַר מֹשֶׁה מִצְוָה שֶׁאֶפְשָׁר לְקַיְּמָהּ אֲקַיְּמֶנָּה (מכות י'):

Then Moshe set aside. [ יַבְדִיל is the future tense.] He gave thought in his heart to be concerned about the matter to set them [the cities] aside. And although they would not offer asylum until those cities of Canaan were set aside, Moshe said, a mitzvah that I can fulfil, I will fulfil.

בעבר הירדן מזרחה שמש. בְּאוֹתוֹ עֵבֶר שֶׁבְּמִזְרָחוֹ שֶׁל יַרְדֵּן:

Across the Yardein where the sun rises. On that side which is on the east of Yardein.

מזרחה שמש. לְפִי שֶׁהוּא דָּבוּק, נְקוּדָה רֵי"שׁ בַּחֲטָף, מִזְרָח שֶׁל שֶׁמֶשׁ – מְקוֹם זְרִיחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ:

Where the sun rises Because מִזְרָחָה is in the construct state, the letter reish is vocalized with a chataf [sheva], [meaning] the rising of the sun — i.e., the place of the sun’s rising.

4:42

לָנֻס שָׁמָּה רוֹצֵחַ אֲשֶׁר יִרְצַח אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ בִּבְלִי־דַעַת וְהוּא לֹא־שֹׂנֵא לוֹ מִתְּמֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם וְנָס אֶל־אַחַת מִן־הֶעָרִים הָאֵל וָחָֽי׃

for a murderer to escape there, who has murdered his neighbor without intent, and he had not been his enemy yesterday [or] the day before. He is to flee to one of these cities to survive:

4:43

אֶת־בֶּצֶר בַּמִּדְבָּר בְּאֶרֶץ הַמִּישֹׁר לָרֽאוּבֵנִי וְאֶת־רָאמֹת בַּגִּלְעָד לַגָּדִי וְאֶת־גּוֹלָן בַּבָּשָׁן לַֽמְנַשִּֽׁי׃

Betzer in the wilderness in the plains of the Reuvenites, Romos in the Gil’od of the Gaddites, and Golon in the Boshon of the Menashians.

4:44

וְזֹאת הַתּוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר־שָׂם מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

And this is the Torah that Moshe set before Bnei Yisroel.

Rashi

וזאת התורה. זוֹ שֶׁהוּא עָתִיד לְסַדֵּר אַחַר פָּרָשָׁה זוֹ:

And this is the Torah. This refers to that which he was about to set forth after this chapter.

4:45

אֵלֶּה הָֽעֵדֹת וְהַֽחֻקִּים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּצֵאתָם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃

These are the testimonies and the statutes and the laws that Moshe addressed to Bnei Yisroel when they came out of Egypt.

Rashi

אלה העדת, אשר דבר. הֵם הֵם אֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר בְּצֵאתָם מִמִּצְרַיִם, חָזַר וּשְׁנָאָהּ לָהֶם בְּעַרְבוֹת מוֹאָב:

These are the testimonies . . . that Moshe addressed. They are the very same [testimonies etc.] that he spoke when they went out of Egypt. He reviewed and taught it to them on the plains of Moav.

4:46

בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן בַּגַּיְא מוּל בֵּית פְּעוֹר בְּאֶרֶץ סִיחֹן מֶלֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִי אֲשֶׁר יוֹשֵׁב בְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן אֲשֶׁר הִכָּה מֹשֶׁה וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּצֵאתָם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃

Across the Yardein, in the valley facing Beis Peor, in the land of Sichon, King of the Emorites, who lived in Cheshbon, whom Moshe and Bnei Yisrael smote when they came out of Egypt.

4:47

וַיִּֽירְשׁוּ אֶת־אַרְצוֹ וְאֶת־אֶרֶץ ׀ עוֹג מֶֽלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁן שְׁנֵי מַלְכֵי הָֽאֱמֹרִי אֲשֶׁר בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן מִזְרַח שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃

They inherited his land and the land of Og, King of the Boshon—the two Emorite kings who were across the Yardein, where the sun rises.

Rashi

אשר בעבר הירדן. שֶׁהוּא בַּמִּזְרָח, שֶׁהָעֵבֶר הַשֵּׁנִי הָיָה בַּמַּעֲרָב:

Who were across the Yardein. That is on the east, because the second side was to the west.

4:48

מֵעֲרֹעֵר אֲשֶׁר עַל־שְׂפַת־נַחַל אַרְנֹן וְעַד־הַר שִׂיאֹן הוּא חֶרְמֽוֹן׃

From Aroer, which is on the bank of Wadi Arnon, up to Mount Sion which is Chermon.

4:49

וְכׇל־הָעֲרָבָה עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן מִזְרָחָה וְעַד יָם הָעֲרָבָה תַּחַת אַשְׁדֹּת הַפִּסְגָּֽה׃ {פ}

And the entire Arava across the Yardein to the east, to Arava Lake, beneath the slopes of the Pisgah.

Devarim 4 דברים ד׳

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