Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, Moshe Rabbeinu is showing Klal Yisrael the beautiful and unique nature of Eretz Yisrael, contrasting it with the land of Mitzrayim. Unlike Mitzrayim, which requires backbreaking human labor to irrigate from the Nile like a vegetable garden, Eretz Yisrael is a land of hills and valleys that drinks directly from the rains of Shamayim. It is a land that Hashem Himself constantly watches over and cares for, from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.

This leads directly into the second parsha of Krias Shema, where Hashem sets the conditions for our sustenance in the land. If we listen to the mitzvos, love Hashem, and serve Him with all our heart and soul, Hashem promises to send the rain in its proper time so we can gather our grain, wine, and oil, and have plenty of grass for our cattle.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

כִּיForהָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרthatאַתָּהyouבָאare comingשָׁמָּהthereלְרִשְׁתָּהּto inherit itלֹאnotכְאֶרֶץlike the land ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimהִואis itאֲשֶׁרwhichיְצָאתֶםyou went outמִשָּׁםfrom thereאֲשֶׁרwhereתִּזְרַעyou would sowאֶת—זַרְעֲךָyour seedוְהִשְׁקִיתָand water itבְרַגְלְךָwith your footכְּגַןlike a garden ofהַיָּרָק׃vegetables

רַשִׁ״י

לאNotכארץlike the land ofמצריםMitzrayimהוא.it isאֶלָּאbutטוֹבָהbetterהֵימֶנָּה,than itוְנֶאֶמְרָהand was saidהַבְטָחָהassuranceזוֹthisלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto Yisraelבִּיצִיאָתָםat their departureמִמִּצְרַיִם,from Mitzrayimשֶׁהָיוּfor they wereאוֹמְרִיםsayingשֶׁמָּאperhapsלֹאnotנָבֹאwe will comeאֶלtoאֶרֶץa landטוֹבָהgoodוְיָפָהand beautifulכָּזוֹ.like thisיָכוֹלone might thinkבִּגְנוּתָהּto its disparagementהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureמְדַבֵּר,speaksוְכָךְand thusאָמַרHe saidלָהֶםto themלֹאnotכְּאֶרֶץlike the land ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimהִיאit isאֶלָּאbutרָעָהworseהֵימֶנָּה?than itתַּ"לֹScripture teaches"וְחֶבְרוֹןand Hebronשֶׁבַעsevenשָׁנִיםyearsנִבְנְתָהwas builtלִפְנֵיbeforeוְגוֹ'"etc.במדברBamidbarי"ג13,אָדָםmanאֶחָדoneבְּנָאָן,built themחָםChamבָּנָהbuiltצֹעַןZoanלְמִצְרַיִםfor Mizrajimבְּנוֹ,his sonוְחֶבְרוֹןand Hebronלִכְנַעַן,for Canaanדֶּרֶךְthe way ofאֶרֶץthe worldאָדָםa manבּוֹנֶהbuildsאֶת—הַנָּאֶהthe finerוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatבּוֹנֶהbuildsאֶת—הַגָּרוּעַ,the inferiorשֶׁפְּסָלְתּוֹbecause the refuseשֶׁלofרִאשׁוֹןthe firstהוּאheנוֹתֵןputsבַּשֵּׁנִי,into the secondוּבְכָלand in everyמָקוֹםplaceהֶחָבִיבthe belovedקוֹדֵם,comes firstהָאthusלָמַדְתָּyou learnשֶׁחֶבְרוֹןthat Hebronיָפָהwas finerמִצֹּעַן;than Zoanוּמִצְרַיִםand Mitzrayimמְשֻׁבַּחַתis superiorמִכָּלto allהָאֲרָצוֹתthe landsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבראשיתBereishisי"ג13"כְּגַןlike the garden ofה'Hashemכְּאֶרֶץlike the land ofמִצְרַיִם",Mitzrayimוְצֹעַןand Zoanשֶׁבַחthe best ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimהִיאit wasשֶׁהִיאbecause it wasמְקוֹםthe place ofמַלְכוּת,royaltyשֶׁכֵּןfor soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysישעיהוYeshayahuל'30"כִּיforהָיוּwereבְצֹעַןin Zoanשָׂרָיו",its princesוְחֶבְרוֹןand Hebronפְּסָלְתָּהּthe worstשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵל,the land ofלְכָךְCanaanהִקְצוּהָthereforeלְקְבוּרַתthey set it apartמֵתִים,for the burial ofוְאַףthe deadעַלand evenפִּי·כֵןthoughהִיאsoיָפָהit wasמִצֹּעַן.finerוּבִכְתֻבּוֹתthan Zoanדףand in Ketubosקי"בpageדָּרְשׁוּ112בְּעִנְיָןthey expoundedאַחֵר,in a matterאֶפְשָׁרanotherאָדָםis it possibleבּוֹנֶהa manבַיִתbuildsלִבְנוֹa houseהַקָּטָןfor his sonוְאַחַרthe youngerכָּךְand afterלִבְנוֹthatהַגָּדוֹל?for his sonאֶלָּאthe elderשֶׁמְּבֻנָּהbutעַלthat it was built upאֶחָדbyמִשִּׁבְעָהoneבְּצֹעַן:out of seven

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhichיצאתםyou went forthמשם.from thereאֲפִלּוּevenאֶרֶץthe land ofרַעְמְסֵסRaamsesאֲשֶׁרwhichיְשַׁבְתֶּםyou dweltבָּהּin itוְהִיאand itבְּמֵיטַבin the best ofאֶרֶץthe land ofמִצְרַיִם,Mitzrayimשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"בְּמֵיטַבin the best ofהָאָרֶץthe landוְגוֹ'"etceteraבראשיתBereishisמ"ז47,אַףevenהִיאitאֵינָהּis notכְּאֶרֶץlike the land ofיִשְׂרָאֵל:Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

והשקיתand you wateredברגלך.with your footאֶרֶץthe land ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimהָיְתָהwasצְרִיכָהneedingלְהָבִיאto bringמַיִםwaterמִנִּילוּס,from the Nileבְּרַגְלְךָ,with your footוּלְהַשְׁקוֹתָהּand to irrigate it–צָרִיךְneededאַתָּהwere youלִנְדֹּדto wanderמִשְּׁנָתְךָfrom your sleepוְלַעֲמֹל,and to toilוְהַנָּמוּךְand the lowשׁוֹתֶהdrinksוְלֹאand notהַגָּבוֹהַּ,the highוְאַתָּהand youמַעֲלֶהbring upהַמַּיִםthe waterמִןfromהַנָּמוּךְthe lowלַגָּבוֹהַּ,to the highאֲבָלbutזוֹthisלמטרto the rain ofהשמיםthe heavensתשתהit drinksמיםwater–אַתָּהyouיָשֵׁןsleepעַלuponמִטָּתְךָyour bedוְהַקָּבָּ"הand the Holy Oneמַשְׁקֶהwatersנָמוּךְlowוְגָבוֹהּand highגָּלוּיexposedוְשֶׁאֵינוֹand that which is notגָלוּיexposedכְּאֶחָתas oneספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

כגןas a garden ofהירק.herbsשֶׁאֵיןwhich there is notדַּיenoughלוֹfor itבִגְשָׁמִיםwith rainsוּמַשְׁקִיןand they waterאוֹתוֹitבָּרֶגֶלby footוּבַכָּתֵף:and by shoulder

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וְהָאָרֶץbut the landאֲשֶׁרwhichאַתֶּםyouעֹבְרִיםare crossingשָׁמָּהthereלְרִשְׁתָּהּto possess itאֶרֶץis a land ofהָרִיםhillsוּבְקָעֹתand valleysלִמְטַרfrom the rain ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavenתִּשְׁתֶּהit drinksמָּיִם׃water

רַשִׁ״י

ארץA land ofהריםhillsובקעת.and valleysמְשֻׁבָּחbetter isהָהָרthe mountainמִןthanהַמִּישׁוֹר,the plainשֶׁהַמִּישׁוֹרbecause the plainבְּבֵיתin an area ofכֹּרa korאַתָּהyouזוֹרֵעַsowכֹּר,a korאֲבָלbutהָהָרthe mountainבֵּיתan area ofכֹּרa korמִמֶּנּוּfrom itחֲמֵשֶׁתfiveכֹּרִיןkors–אַרְבָּעָהfourמֵאַרְבָּעָהfrom its fourשִׁפּוּעָיוslopesוְאֶחָדand oneבְּרֹאשׁוֹ:on its summit

רַשִׁ״י

ובקעת.And the valleyהֵןthey areמִישׁוֹר:plain lands

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

אֶרֶץa landאֲשֶׁרthatיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godדֹּרֵשׁseeks outאֹתָהּitתָּמִידalwaysעֵינֵיthe eyes ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבָּהּare on itמֵרֵשִׁיתfrom the beginning ofהַשָּׁנָהthe yearוְעַדand untilאַחֲרִיתthe end ofשָׁנָה׃a year

רַשִׁ״י

אשרWhichה'Hashemאלהיךyour Godדרשcares forאתה.itוַהֲלֹאbut does He notכָּלallהָאֲרָצוֹתthe landsדוֹרֵשׁ,care forשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"לְהַמְטִירto cause rainעַלonאֶרֶץa landלֹאwithoutאִישׁ"manאיובIyovל"ח38?אֶלָּאratherכִּבְיָכוֹלas it wereאֵינוֹHe does notדוֹרֵשׁcare forאֶלָּאexceptאוֹתָהּ,itוְעַלand throughיְדֵיthe means ofאוֹתָהּthatדְּרִישָׁהcareשֶׁדּוֹרְשָׁהּ,that He cares for itדּוֹרֵשׁHe cares forאֶת—כָּלallהָאֲרָצוֹתthe landsעִמָּהּ:with it

רַשִׁ״י

תמידAlwaysעיניthe eyes ofה'Hashemאלהיךyour Godבה.are upon itלִרְאוֹתto seeמַהwhatהִיאitצְרִיכָה,requiresוּלְחַדֵּשׁand to renewבָּהּfor itגְּזֵרוֹת,decreesעִתִּיםsometimesלְטוֹבָהfor goodעִתִּיםsometimesלְרָעָהfor badכוּ',etceteraכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְּרֹ"הַin Rosh Hashanahדףdafי"ז17:

רַשִׁ״י

מרשיתFrom the beginning ofהשנה.the yearמֵרֹאשׁfrom the start ofהַשָּׁנָהthe yearנִדּוֹןit is judgedמַהwhatיְּהֵאwill beבְּסוֹפָהּat its endשםthereח'8a:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וְהָיָהAnd it shall beאִםifשָׁמֹעַsurelyתִּשְׁמְעוּyou will hearkenאֶלtoמִצְוֺתַיMy commandmentsאֲשֶׁרwhichאָנֹכִיIמְצַוֶּהcommandאֶתְכֶםyouהַיּוֹםtodayלְאַהֲבָהto loveאֶת—יְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godוּלְעָבְדוֹand to serve Himבְּכָלwith allלְבַבְכֶםyour heartוּבְכָלand with allנַפְשְׁכֶם׃your soul

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd it shall beאםifשמע.you will hearkenוְהָיָהAnd it shall beמוּסָבis connectedעַלtoהָאָמוּרthat which is saidלְמַעְלָה,aboveלִמְטַרof the rain ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavenתִּשְׁתֶּהit drinkethמָּיִם:water

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd it will beאםifשמעhearkeningתשמעו.you will hearkenאִםifשָׁמֹעַyou hearkenבַּיָּשָׁןto the oldתִּשְׁמְעוּyou will hearkenבֶּחָדָשׁ,to the newוְכֵןand so"אִםifשָׁכֹחַforgettingתִּשְׁכַּח"you will forgetדבריםDevarimח'8–אִםifהִתְחַלְתָּyou have begunלִשְׁכֹּחַto forgetסוֹפְךָyour endשֶׁתִּשְׁכַּחis that you will forgetכֻּלָּהּ,all of itשֶׁכֵּןfor soכְּתִיבit is writtenבִּמְגִלָּהin a scrollאִםifתַּעַזְבֵנִיyou abandon Meיוֹםone dayיוֹמַיִםtwo daysאֶעֶזְבֶךָּ:I will abandon you

רַשִׁ״י

מצוהcommandingאתכםyouהיום.todayשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they should beעֲלֵיכֶםupon youחֲדָשִׁים,newכְּאִלּוּas ifשְׁמַעְתֶּםyou heardבּוֹthemבַיּוֹםon that dayספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

לאהבהTo loveאת—ה'.Hashemשֶׁלֹּאthat notתֹאמַרyou should sayהֲרֵיbeholdאֲנִיIלוֹמֵדam learningבִּשְׁבִילin orderשֶׁאֶהְיֶהthat I will beעָשִׁיר,richבִּשְׁבִילin orderשֶׁאֶקָּרֵאthat I will be calledרַב,Rabbiבִּשְׁבִילin orderשֶׁאֲקַבֵּלthat I will receiveשָׂכָר,rewardאֶלָּאratherכָּלallמַהthatשֶּׁתַּעֲשֶׂהwhich you doעֲשֵׂהdoמֵאַהֲבָהout of loveוְסוֹףand ultimatelyהַכָּבוֹדthe honorלָבֹאwill comeשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

ולעבדוAnd to serve Himבכלwith allלבבכם.your heartעֲבוֹדָהserviceשֶׁהִיאthat isבַּלֵּב,in the heartוְזוֹand thisהִיאisתְפִלָּה,prayerשֶׁהַתְּפִלָּהfor prayerקְרוּיָהis calledעֲבוֹדָה,serviceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"אֱלָהָךְyour GodדִּיwhomאַנְתְּyouפָּלַחserveלֵהּHimבִּתְדִירָא"continuallyדניאלDanielו'6,וְכִיand is thereיֵשׁthere isפֻּלְחָןsacrificial serviceבְּבָבֶל?in Babylonאֶלָּאratherעַלbecauseשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasמִתְפַּלֵּלprayingשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשםthere"וְכַוִּיןand windowsפְּתִיחָןwere openלֵהּfor himוְגוֹ'";etcוְכֵןand soבְּדָוִדregarding DovidהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysתהיליםTehillimקמ"א141"תִּכּוֹןlet be establishedתְּפִלָּתִיmy prayerקְטֹרֶתas incenseלְפָנֶיךָ":before You

רַשִׁ״י

בכלWith allלבבכםyour heartובכלand with allנפשכם.your soulוַהֲלֹאBut is it notכְּבָרalreadyהִזְהִירHe admonished"בְּכָל"with allלְבָבְךָyour heartוּבְכָלand with allנַפְשְׁךָ"your soul"דבריםDevarimו'6,אֶלָּאratherאַזְהָרָהan admonitionלַיָּחִיד,to the individualאַזְהָרָהan admonitionלַצִּבּוּרto the communityספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְנָתַתִּיAnd I will giveמְטַרthe rain ofאַרְצְכֶםyour landבְּעִתּוֹin its seasonיוֹרֶהearly rainוּמַלְקוֹשׁand late rainוְאָסַפְתָּand you shall gatherדְגָנֶךָyour grainוְתִירֹשְׁךָand your wineוְיִצְהָרֶךָ׃and your oil

רַשִׁ״י

ונתתיAnd I will giveמטרthe rain ofארצכם.your landעֲשִׂיתֶםyou have doneמַהwhatשֶּׁעֲלֵיכֶםis upon youאַףalsoאֲנִיIאֶעֱשֶׂהwill doמַהwhatשֶּׁעָלַיis upon Meשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

בעתו.In its seasonבַּלֵּילוֹתat nightsשֶׁלֹּאso that notיַטְרִיחוּthey will troubleאֶתְכֶם;youדָּ"אַanother explanation–בְּעִתּוֹin its seasonבְּלֵילֵיon the nights ofשַׁבָּתוֹתShabbosשֶׁהַכֹּלwhen everyoneמְצוּיִיןare foundבְּבָתֵּיהֶם:in their homes

רַשִׁ״י

יורה.Yorehהִיאit isרְבִיעָהthe rainfallהַנּוֹפֶלֶתthat fallsלְאַחַרafterהַזְּרִיעָה,the sowingשֶׁמַּרְוָהwhich drenchesאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe earthוְאֶתand —הַזְּרָעִים:the seeds

רַשִׁ״י

מלקוש.Malkoshרְבִיעָהrainהַיּוֹרֶדֶתthat descendsסָמוּךְcloseלַקָּצִיר,to the harvestלְמַלֹּאתto fillהַתְּבוּאָהthe grainבְּקַשֶּׁיהָ.on its stalksוּלְשׁוֹןand the termמַלְקוֹשׁmalkoshדָּבָרa thingהַמְאֻחָרthat is lateכְּדִמְתַרְגְּמִינָןas we translateבראשיתBereishisל'chapter 30"וְהָיָהand it wasהָעֲטֻפִיםthe late-born onesלְלָבָן"were for Lavan–לַקִּישַׁיָּא;as late onesדָּ"אַanother explanation–לְכָךְfor thisנִקְרֵאתit is calledמַלְקוֹשׁ,malkoshשֶׁיּוֹרֶדֶתbecause it descendsעַלuponהַמְּלִילוֹתthe earsוְעַלand uponהַקַּשִּׁין:the stalks

רַשִׁ״י

ואספתAnd you shall gatherדגנך.your grainאַתָּהyouתַאַסְפֶנּוּshall gather itאֶלintoהַבַּיִתthe houseוְלֹאand notאוֹיְבֶיךָ,your enemiesכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is said"אִםIfאֶתֵּןI will giveדְּגָנֵךְyour grainוְגוֹ'etc.כִּיbutמְאַסְפָיוthose who gather itיֹאכְלֻהוּ"shall eat itישעיהוYeshayahuס"ב62וְלֹאand notכָעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is said"וְהָיָהAnd it wasאִםwhenזָרַעsowedיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְגוֹ'"etc.שופטיםShoftimו'6:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וְנָתַתִּיAnd I will giveעֵשֶׂבgrassבְּשָׂדְךָin your fieldלִבְהֶמְתֶּךָfor your cattleוְאָכַלְתָּand you shall eatוְשָׂבָעְתָּ׃and you shall be satisfied

רַשִׁ״י

ונתתיAnd I will giveעשבgrassבשדך.in your fieldשֶׁלֹּאso that notתִצְטָרֵךְyou will needלְהוֹלִיכָהּto lead itלַמִּדְבָּרוֹת.to the wildernessesדָּ"אַanother explanation—שֶׁתִּהְיֶהthat you will beגּוֹזֵזcuttingתְּבוּאָתְךָyour grainכָּלallיְמוֹתthe days ofהַגְּשָׁמִיםthe rainsוּמַשְׁלִיךְand castingלִפְנֵיbeforeבְהֶמְתְּךָyour animalוְאַתָּהand youמוֹנֵעַwithholdיָדְךָyour handמִמֶּנָּהfrom itשְׁלוֹשִׁיםthirtyיוֹםdaysקֹדֶםbeforeלַקָּצִירthe harvestוְאֵינָהּand it does notפּוֹחֶתֶתdecreaseמִדְּגָנָהּfrom its grainספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ואכלתAnd you shall eatושבעת.and be satisfiedהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisבְרָכָהis a blessingאַחֶרֶתanotherשֶׁתְּהֵאthat there will beבְרָכָהa blessingמְצוּיָהpresentבַּפַּתin the breadבְּתוֹךְwithinהַמֵּעַיִםthe intestinesואכלתand you shall eatושבעתand be satisfied:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

הִשָּׁמְרוּGuard yourselvesלָכֶםfor yourselvesפֶּןlestיִפְתֶּהwill be enticedלְבַבְכֶםyour heartוְסַרְתֶּםand you turn awayוַעֲבַדְתֶּםand you serveאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִיםothersוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶםand you bow downלָהֶם׃to them

רַשִׁ״י

השמרוTake heedלכם.to yourselvesכֵּיוָןsinceשֶׁתִּהְיוּthat you will beאוֹכְלִיםeatingוּשְׂבֵעִיםand satisfiedהִשָּׁמְרוּtake heedלָכֶםto yourselvesשֶׁלֹּאlestתִבְעֲטוּ,you kickשֶׁאֵיןfor there is noאָדָםmanמוֹרֵדrebellingבְּהַקָּדוֹשׁagainst the Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heאֶלָּאexceptמִתּוֹךְout ofשְׂבִיעָה,satietyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"פֶּןLestתֹּאכַלyou eatוְשָׂבָעְתָּand are fullוּבְקָרְךָand your herdsוְצֹאנְךָand your flocksיִרְבְּיֻן"multiplyדבריםDevarimח'8,מַהwhatהוּאdoes itאוֹמֵרsayאַחֲרָיו?after it"וְרָםAnd lifted upלְבָבֶךָyour heartוְשָׁכַחְתָּ":and you forget

רַשִׁ״י

וסרתם.And you turn asideלִפְרֹשׁto departמִןfromהַתּוֹרָה,the Torahוּמִתּוֹךְand from withinכָּךְthisועבדתםand you will serveאלהיםgodsאחריםothers,שֶׁכֵּיוָןfor onceשֶׁאָדָםthat a personפּוֹרֵשׁdepartsמִןfromהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahהוֹלֵךְhe goesוּמִדַּבֵּקand clingsבַּעֲ"זָ,to idol worshipוְכֵןand soדָּוִדDovidאוֹמֵרsays"כִּיforגֵרְשׁוּנִיthey drove me outהַיּוֹםtodayמֵהִסְתַּפֵּחַfrom cleavingבְּנַחֲלַתto the inheritance ofה'Hashemלֵאמֹרsayingלֵךְgoעֲבֹדserveוְגוֹ'"etceteraשמואלShmuelאAlephכ"ו26,וּמִיand whoאָמַרsaidלוֹto himכֵן?soאֶלָּאratherכֵּיוָןsinceשֶׁאֲנִיthat I amמְגֹרָשׁdriven outמִלַּעֲסֹקfrom occupying myselfבַּתּוֹרָה,with the Torahהֲרֵינִיbehold I amקָרוֹבcloseלַעֲבֹדto serveאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִים:others

רַשִׁ״י

אלהיםgodsאחרים.othersשֶׁהֵםthat theyאֲחֵרִיםare strangersלְעוֹבְדֵיהֶםto their worshippers–צוֹעֵקone cries outאֵלָיוto itוְאֵינוֹand it does notעוֹנֵהוּ,answer himנִמְצָאit turns outעָשׂוּיit is madeלוֹto himכְּנָכְרִיlike a strangerספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְחָרָהand will flare upאַףthe anger ofיְהוָהHashemבָּכֶםagainst youוְעָצַרand He will shutאֶת—הַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוְלֹאand notיִהְיֶהthere will beמָטָרrainוְהָאֲדָמָהand the groundלֹאnotתִתֵּןwill yieldאֶת—יְבוּלָהּits produceוַאֲבַדְתֶּםand you will perishמְהֵרָהquicklyמֵעַלfrom uponהָאָרֶץthe landהַטֹּבָהthe goodאֲשֶׁרthatיְהוָהHashemנֹתֵןis givingלָכֶם׃to you

רַשִׁ״י

את—יבולה.its produceאַףevenמַהthatשֶּׁאַתָּהwhich youמוֹבִילbringלָהּ,to itכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is saidחגיChaggaiא'oneזְרַעְתֶּםyou have sownהַרְבֵּהmuchוְהָבֵאand brought inמְעָטlittleספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ואבדתםAnd you shall perishמהרה.quicklyעַלIn addition toכָּלallשְׁאָרthe rest ofהַיִּסּוּרִיןthe sufferingsאַגְלֶהI will exileאֶתְכֶןyouמִןfromהָאֲדָמָהthe landשֶׁגָּרְמָהthat causedלָכֶםyouלַחֲטֹא;to sinמָשָׁלA parableלְמֶלֶךְto a kingשֶׁשָּׁלַחwho sentבְּנוֹhis sonלְבֵיתto the house ofהַמִּשְׁתֶּהthe feastוְהָיָהand he wasיוֹשֵׁבsittingוּמַפְקִידוֹand instructing himאַלDo notתֹּאכַלeatיוֹתֵרmoreמִצָּרְכְּךָ,than your needשֶׁתָּבֹאso that you comeנָקִיcleanלְבֵיתְךָ,to your houseוְלֹאAnd notהִשְׁגִּיחַpaid attentionהַבֵּןthe sonהַהוּא,thatאָכַלhe ateוְשָׁתָהand drankיוֹתֵרmoreמִצָּרְכּוֹ,than his needוְהֵקִיאand vomitedוְטִנֵּףand dirtiedאֶת—כָּלallבְּנֵיthe members ofהַמְּסִבָּה,the companyנְטָלוּהוּThey took himבְיָדָיוby his handsוּבְרַגְלָיוand by his feetוּזְרָקוּהוּand threw himאֲחוֹרֵיbehindפַּלְטְרִיןthe palaceשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

מהרה.QuicklyאֵינִיI do notנוֹתֵןgiveלָכֶםto youאַרְכָּא,respiteוְאִםand ifתֹּאמְרוּyou will sayוַהֲלֹאbut was notנִתְּנָהgivenאַרְכָּאrespiteלְדוֹרto the generation ofהַמַּבּוּלthe floodשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוְהָיוּand shall beיָמָיוhis daysמֵאָהone hundredוְעֶשְׂרִיםand twentyשָׁנָהyearsבראשיתBereishisו'6דּוֹרthe generation ofהַמַּבּוּלthe floodלֹאnotהָיָהwas thereלָהֶםfor themמִמִּיfrom whomלִלְמֹדto learnוְאַתֶּםbut youיֵשׁhaveלָכֶם·מִמִּיsomeone from whomלִלְמֹדto learnספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְשַׂמְתֶּםAnd you shall placeאֶת—דְּבָרַיMy wordsאֵלֶּהtheseעַלuponלְבַבְכֶםyour heartוְעַלand uponנַפְשְׁכֶםyour soulוּקְשַׁרְתֶּםand you shall bindאֹתָםthemלְאוֹתfor a signעַלuponיֶדְכֶםyour handוְהָיוּand they shall beלְטוֹטָפֹתfor frontletsבֵּיןbetweenעֵינֵיכֶם׃your eyes

רַשִׁ״י

ושמתםAnd you shall placeאת—דברי.My wordsאַףEvenלְאַחַרafterשֶׁתִּגְלוּthat you are exiledהֱיוּbeמְצֻיָּנִיםdistinctiveבַּמִּצְווֹת,with the mitzvosהַנִּיחוּlayתְּפִלִּין,tefillinעֲשׂוּmakeמְזוּזוֹת,mezuzosכְּדֵיso thatשֶׁלֹּאnotיִהְיוּthey will beלָכֶםto youחֲדָשִׁיםnewכְּשֶׁתַּחְזְרוּ,when you returnוְכֵןAnd soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysירמיהוYirmeyahuל"א31הַצִּיבִיSet upלָךְfor yourselfצִיֻּנִיםmarkersספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וְלִמַּדְתֶּםAnd you shall teachאֹתָםthemאֶת—בְּנֵיכֶםyour childrenלְדַבֵּרto speakבָּםin themבְּשִׁבְתְּךָin your sittingבְּבֵיתֶךָin your houseוּבְלֶכְתְּךָand in your walkingבַדֶּרֶךְon the wayוּבְשָׁכְבְּךָand in your lying downוּבְקוּמֶךָ׃and in your rising

רַשִׁ״י

לדברto speakבם.of themמִשָּׁעָהfrom the momentשֶׁהַבֵּןthat the sonיוֹדֵעַknowsלְדַבֵּר,to speakלַמְּדֵהוּteach him"תּוֹרָהTorahצִוָּהcommandedלָנוּusמֹשֶׁה"Mosheשֶׁיְּהֵאso that should beזֶהthisלִמּוּדthe teaching ofדִּבּוּרוֹ;his speakingמִכָּאןfrom hereאָמְרוּthey saidכְּשֶׁהַתִּינוֹקwhen the childמַתְחִילbeginsלְדַבֵּרto speakאָבִיוhis fatherמֵשִׂיחַspeaksעִמּוֹwith himבִּלְשׁוֹןin the tongue ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe Holyוּמְלַמְּדוֹand teaches himתוֹרָה,Torahוְאִםand ifלֹאnotעָשָׂהhe didכֵןsoהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheכְאִלּוּis as ifקוֹבְרוֹ,he buries himשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidולמדתםand you shall teachאתםthemאת—בניכםyour childrenלדברto speakבםof themוגו'.etcetera

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וּכְתַבְתָּםAnd you shall write themעַלuponמְזוּזוֹתthe doorposts ofבֵּיתֶךָyour houseוּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ׃and on your gates

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

לְמַעַןso thatיִרְבּוּwill multiplyיְמֵיכֶםyour daysוִימֵיand the days ofבְנֵיכֶםyour childrenעַלuponהָאֲדָמָהthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichנִשְׁבַּעsworeיְהוָהHashemלַאֲבֹתֵיכֶםto your forefathersלָתֵתto giveלָהֶםto themכִּימֵיlike the days ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensעַלoverהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

למעןIn order thatירבוwill be increasedימיכםyour daysוימיand the days ofבניכם.your childrenאִםifעֲשִׂיתֶםyou doכֵּןsoיִרְבּוּ,they will increaseוְאִםand ifלָאוnotלֹאnotיִרְבּוּ,they will increaseשֶׁדִּבְרֵיfor the words ofתוֹרָהTorahנִדְרָשִׁיןare expoundedמִכְּלַלfrom the negativeלָאו·הֵןthe positiveוּמִכְּלַלand from the positiveהֵן·לָאוthe negativeספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

לתתTo giveלהם.to themלָתֵתto giveלָכֶםto youאֵיןis notכְּתִיבwrittenכָּאן,hereאֶלָּאbutלָתֵתto giveלָהֶם,to themמִכָּאןfrom hereמָצִינוּwe findלְמֵדִיםlearningתְּחִיַּתresurrection ofהַמֵּתִיםthe deadמִןfromהַתּוֹרָה:the Torah

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah warns us to be extremely careful not to let our hearts be swayed to go astray after avodah zarah, which would bring Hashem's anger, causing the heavens to stop giving rain and leading to our exile from the good land. To protect ourselves and keep these truths alive, we are commanded to bind these words as a sign on our arms and as tefillin between our eyes, to teach them diligently to our children throughout the day, and to write them on the mezuzos of our doors and gates, so that we and our children may merit long life upon the land that Hashem promised to our Avos.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is making a major comparison here between Mitzrayim and Eretz Yisrael. In Mitzrayim, you had the Nile right there. You could irrigate your fields with your own feet, feeling completely in control of your livelihood. But Eretz Yisrael is different. It is a land of hills and valleys that depends entirely on the rain of heaven. Lichoira, we would think that having a natural, predictable water source like the Nile is a blessing, while depending on rain is a curse. Why is Hashem bringing us to a place where we are constantly vulnerable?

The chiddush of the Torah is that this vulnerability is actually the greatest bracha of all. Because Eretz Yisrael has no natural irrigation system, it is a land that Hashem is constantly looking after, "from the beginning of the year to the end of the year." Mimeila, this setup forces us into a constant, living relationship with Hashem. We cannot just put our heads down and rely on our own efforts. We have to look up to Shamayim. Our physical sustenance is directly tied to our spiritual state, to "loving Hashem and serving Him with all your heart."

This is a powerful yesod for our daily avodah. We often crave total predictability and security in our parnassah, our health, and our shalom bayis. We want to feel like we have a "Nile" that we can control with our own feet. But Hashem purposely puts us in situations where we must rely on Him, where we have to daven for "rain" every single day. This is not a punishment; it is how Hashem keeps us close. When you feel that vulnerability, it is Hashem inviting you to talk to Him, to build real bitachon, and to realize that He is looking directly at you every moment.

Today, when you feel anxious about something you cannot control, do not try to force a natural solution with your own feet. Instead, look up to Shamayim, say a short tefillah in your own words, and remember that Hashem is looking after you personally right now.