Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we find ourselves standing with Klal Yisrael on the steppes of Moav, right by the Yarden across from Yericho, as Hashem gives Moshe Rabbeinu the final, crucial instructions before the nation crosses over into Eretz Yisrael. Hashem commands the Bnei Yisrael to completely dispossess the land's inhabitants and destroy all of their avodah zarah, warning them of the spiritual and physical dangers of leaving any of them behind.

We then learn about the mitzvah of dividing the land by lot among the families of the nine and a half tribes. To ensure we know the exact borders of our holy inheritance, Hashem outlines the precise boundaries of Eretz Yisrael on all four sides—south, west, north, and east—distinguishing it from the lands already given to Reuven, Gad, and the half-tribe of Menasheh on the eastern side of the Yarden.

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

וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheבְּעַרְבֹתin the plains ofמוֹאָבMoavעַלbyיַרְדֵּןthe Jordan ofיְרֵחוֹYerichoלֵאמֹר׃saying

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

דַּבֵּרSpeakאֶלtoבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְאָמַרְתָּand you shall sayאֲלֵהֶםto themכִּיWhenאַתֶּםyouעֹבְרִיםare crossingאֶת—הַיַּרְדֵּןthe Yardenאֶלtoאֶרֶץthe land ofכְּנָעַן׃Kenaan

רַשִׁ״י

כיWhenאתםyouעבריםare passing overאת—הירדןthe Jordanוגו'etc.והורשתםand you shall drive outוגו'.etc.וַהֲלֹאBut is it notכַמָּהseveralפְעָמִיםtimesהֻזְהֲרוּthey were warnedעַלaboutכָּךְ?thisאֶלָּאratherכָּךְthusאָמַרsaidלָהֶםto themמֹשֶׁהMosheכְּשֶׁאַתֶּםwhen youעוֹבְרִיםare passingבַּיַּרְדֵּןthrough the Jordanבַּיַּבָּשָׁהon dry landעַלonמְנָתcondition ofכֵּןthisתַּעַבְרוּ,you shall passוְאִםand ifלָאוnot—מַיִםthe watersבָּאִיןwill comeוְשׁוֹטְפִיןand overwhelmאֶתְכֶם,youוְכֵןand soמָצִינוּwe findשֶׁאָמַרthat saidלָהֶםto themיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaיהושעYehoshuaד'chapter 4בְּעוֹדָםwhile they were stillבַּיַּרְדֵּןin the JordanסוטהSotahל"ד34a:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּםand you shall drive outאֶת—כָּלallיֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofהָאָרֶץthe landמִפְּנֵיכֶםfrom before youוְאִבַּדְתֶּםand you shall destroyאֵת—כָּלallמַשְׂכִּיֹּתָםtheir figured stonesוְאֵתand —כָּלallצַלְמֵיthe images ofמַסֵּכֹתָםtheir molten godsתְּאַבֵּדוּyou shall destroyוְאֵתand —כָּלallבָּמֹתָםtheir high placesתַּשְׁמִידוּ׃you shall demolish

רַשִׁ״י

והורשתם.and you shall drive outוְגֵרַשְׁתֶּם:and you shall expel

רַשִׁ״י

משכיתם.their spots of worshipכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its translation—"בֵּיתhouse ofסִגְדַּתְהוֹן",their prostrationעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofשֶׁהָיוּthat they wouldמְסַכְּכִיןcoverאֶת—הַקַּרְקַעthe groundבְּרִצְפַּתwith a pavement ofאֲבָנִיםstonesשֶׁלofשַׁיִשׁmarbleלְהִשְׁתַּחֲווֹתto prostrate themselvesעֲלֵיהֶםupon themבְּפִשּׁוּטwith spreading ofיָדַיִםhandsוְרַגְלַיִם,and feetכְּדִכְתִיבas it is written"וְאֶבֶןand a stone ofמַשְׂכִּיתcoveringלֹאnotתִתְּנוּshall you placeבְּאַרְצְכֶםin your landלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹתto prostrate yourselvesעָלֶיהָ"upon itויקראVayikraכ"ו26:

רַשִׁ״י

מסכתם.their molten godsכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹis like its Targum—"מַתְּכַתְהוֹן":their molten images

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּםAnd you shall drive outאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landוִישַׁבְתֶּםand you shall dwellבָּהּin itכִּיforלָכֶםto youנָתַתִּיI have givenאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landלָרֶשֶׁתto possessאֹתָהּ׃it

רַשִׁ״י

והורשתםAnd you shall dispossessאת—הארץ.the landוְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּםand you shall dispossessאוֹתָהּitמִיּוֹשְׁבֶיהָ,of its inhabitantsוְאָזand thenוישבתםand you shall dwellבהin it—תּוּכְלוּyou will be ableלְהִתְקַיֵּםto remainבָּהּ,in itוְאִםand ifלָאוnot—לֹאnotתוּכְלוּyou will be ableלְהִתְקַיֵּםto remainבָּהּ:in it

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְהִתְנַחַלְתֶּםAnd you shall inheritאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landבְּגוֹרָלby lotלְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיכֶםfor your familiesלָרַבto the numerousתַּרְבּוּyou shall increaseאֶת—נַחֲלָתוֹhis inheritanceוְלַמְעַטand to the fewתַּמְעִיטyou shall decreaseאֶת—נַחֲלָתוֹhis inheritanceאֶלtoאֲשֶׁרwhereיֵצֵאgoes outלוֹfor himשָׁמָּהthereהַגּוֹרָלthe lotלוֹto himיִהְיֶהit shall beלְמַטּוֹתaccording to tribes ofאֲבֹתֵיכֶםyour fathersתִּתְנֶחָלוּ׃you shall inherit

רַשִׁ״י

אלToאשרwhereיצאit goes outלוfor himשמה.thereמִקְרָאa verseקָצָרshortenedהוּאisזֶה:thisאֶלtoמָקוםthe placeאשרwhereיצאgoes outלוfor himשמהthereהגורלthe lotלוto himיהיהit shall be:

רַשִׁ״י

למטותaccording to the tribes ofאבתיכם.your fathersלְפִיaccording toחֶשְׁבּוֹןthe number ofיוֹצְאֵיthose who came out ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimבבאBavaבתראBatraקי"ז117;דָּ"אַanother explanation—בְּי"בinto twelveגְּבוּלִיןdistrictsכְּמִנְיַןlike the number ofהַשְּׁבָטִים:the tribes

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וְאִםAnd ifלֹאnotתוֹרִישׁוּyou dispossessאֶת—יֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofהָאָרֶץthe landמִפְּנֵיכֶםfrom before youוְהָיָהand it shall beאֲשֶׁרthose whomתּוֹתִירוּyou allow to remainמֵהֶםof themלְשִׂכִּיםshall be stingsבְּעֵינֵיכֶםin your eyesוְלִצְנִינִםand thornsבְּצִדֵּיכֶםin your sidesוְצָרֲרוּand they shall harassאֶתְכֶםyouעַלinהָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרwhereinאַתֶּםyouיֹשְׁבִיםdwellבָּהּ׃in it

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd it shall beאשרthatתותירוyou leave overמהם.of themיִהְיוּthey shall beלָכֶםto youלְרָעָה:for harm

רַשִׁ״י

לשכיםas thornsבעיניכם.in your eyesלִיתֵדוֹתas pegsהַמְנַקְּרוֹתthat prick outעֵינֵיכֶם,your eyesתַּרְגּוּםthe Targumשֶׁלofיְתֵדוֹתpegs is"שִׂיכַיָּא":"shichaya"

רַשִׁ״י

ולצנינם.And for thornsפּוֹתְרִיןexplainבּוֹitהַפּוֹתְרִיםthe translatorsלְשׁוֹןan expression ofמְסוּכַתa hedge ofקוֹצִיםthornsהַסּוֹכֶכֶתwhich hedgesאֶתְכֶם,youלִסְגֹּרto close inוְלִכְלֹאand to imprisonאֶתְכֶםyouמֵאֵיןfrom withoutיוֹצֵאanyone going outוָבָא:and coming in

רַשִׁ״י

וצררוand they will distressאתכם.youכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ:like its translation

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְהָיָהand it shall beכַּאֲשֶׁרjust asדִּמִּיתִיI plannedלַעֲשׂוֹתto doלָהֶםto themאֶעֱשֶׂהI will doלָכֶם׃to you

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheלֵּאמֹר׃saying

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

צַוCommandאֶת—בְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְאָמַרְתָּand you shall sayאֲלֵהֶםto themכִּיWhenאַתֶּםyouבָּאִיםare comingאֶלtoהָאָרֶץthe land ofכְּנָעַןKenaanזֹאתthis isהָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרthatתִּפֹּלshall fallלָכֶםto youבְּנַחֲלָהas an inheritanceאֶרֶץthe land ofכְּנַעַןKenaanלִגְבֻלֹתֶיהָ׃according to its boundaries

רַשִׁ״י

זאתThisהארץis the landאשרthatתפלshall fallלכםto youוגו'.etc.לְפִיBecauseשֶׁהַרְבֵּהthat manyמִצְוֹתmitzvosנוֹהֲגוֹתare practicedבָּאָרֶץin the Landוְאֵיןand are notנוֹהֲגוֹתpracticedבְּחוּצָהoutsideלָאָרֶץ,of the Landהֻצְרַךְit was necessaryלִכְתֹּבto writeמִצְרָנֵיthe boundaries ofגְבוּלֵיthe borders ofרוּחוֹתֶיהָits directionsסָבִיב,all aroundלוֹמַרto sayלְךָto youמִןfromהַגְּבוּלִיםthe bordersהַלָּלוּtheseוְלִפְנִיםand inwardהַמִּצְוֹתthe mitzvosנוֹהֲגוֹתare practicedעי'seeגיטיןGittinח'8a:

רַשִׁ״י

תפלfallsלכם.to youעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofשֶׁנִּתְחַלְּקָהthat it was dividedבְגוֹרָלby lotנִקְרֵאתis calledחֲלֻקָּהdivisionלְשׁוֹןan expression ofנְפִילָה;fallingוּמִ"אַand Midrash Aggadahאוֹמֵרsaysעַ"יְby means ofשֶׁהִפִּילthat He cast downהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneשָׂרֵיהֶםtheir guardian angelsשֶׁלofשִׁבְעָהsevenאֻמּוֹתnationsמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוּכְפָתָןand bound themלִפְנֵיbeforeמֹשֶׁהMosheאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himרְאֵהseeאֵיןthere is notבָּהֶםin themעוֹדany moreכֹּחַstrengthעי'seeתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וְהָיָהAnd it shall beלָכֶםfor youפְּאַתthe corner ofנֶגֶבsouthמִמִּדְבַּרfrom the wilderness ofצִןTzinעַלalongsideיְדֵיthe borders ofאֱדוֹםEdomוְהָיָהand it shall beלָכֶםfor youגְּבוּלthe boundary ofנֶגֶבsouthמִקְצֵהfrom the edge ofיָםthe Sea ofהַמֶּלַחSaltקֵדְמָה׃eastward

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd it shall beלכםfor youפאתthe boundary ofנגב.southרוּחַthe sideדְּרוֹמִיתsouthernאֲשֶׁרwhichמִןfromהַמִּזְרָחthe eastלַמַּעֲרָב:to the west

רַשִׁ״י

ממדברFrom the wilderness ofצן.Zinאֲשֶׁרwhichאֵצֶלis next toאֱדוֹםEdomמַתְחִילbeginsמִקְצוֹעַthe cornerדְרוֹמִיתsouthernמִזְרָחִיתeasternשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofתִּשְׁעַתthe nineהַמַּטּוֹת;tribesכֵּיצַד?How soשָׁלוֹשׁThreeאֲרָצוֹתlandsיוֹשְׁבוֹתare situatedבִּדְרוֹמָהּto the southשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelזוֹthis oneאֵצֶלnext toזוֹthis one—קְצָתpart ofאֶרֶץthe land ofמִצְרַיִםEgyptוְאֶרֶץand the land ofאֱדוֹםEdomכֻּלָּהּentirelyוְאֶרֶץand the land ofמוֹאָבMoabכֻּלָּהּ,entirelyאֶרֶץThe land ofמִצְרַיִםEgyptבְּמִקְצוֹעַis at the cornerדְּרוֹמִיתsouthernמַעֲרָבִית,westernשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבְּפָרָשָׁהin the sectionזוֹthisמֵעַצְמוֹןfrom Azmonנַחְלָהto the brook ofמִצְרָיִםEgyptוְהָיוּand shall beתוֹצְאֹתָיוits goings outהַיָּמָּה,at the seaוְנַחַלAnd the brook ofמִצְרַיִםEgyptהָיָהwasמְהַלֵּךְrunningעַלalongפְּנֵיthe face ofכָלallאֶרֶץthe land ofמִצְרַיִםEgyptשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidיהושעYehoshuaי"ג13"מִןFromהַשִּׁיחוֹרthe Shihorאֲשֶׁרwhichעַלis beforeפְּנֵיthe face ofמִצְרַיִם",Egyptוּמַפְסִיקand it dividesבֵּיןbetweenאֶרֶץthe land ofמִצְרַיִםEgyptלְאֶרֶץand the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵל,IsraelוְאֶרֶץAnd the land ofאֱדוֹםEdomאֶצְלָהּis next to itלְצַדon the side ofהַמִּזְרָח,the eastוְאֶרֶץand the land ofמוֹאָבMoabאֵצֶלis next toאֶרֶץthe land ofאֱדוֹםEdomבְּסוֹףat the end ofהַדָּרוֹםthe southלַמִּזְרָח.to the eastוּכְשֶׁיָּצְאוּAnd when went outיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelמִמִּצְרַיִם,from Egyptאִםifרָצָהwishedהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentלְקָרֵבto bring nearאֶת—כְּנִיסָתָםtheir entryלָאָרֶץ,into the LandהָיָהHe would haveמַעֲבִירָםled them acrossאֶת—הַנִּילוּסthe Nileלְצַדtowardsצָפוֹןnorthוּבָאִיןand they would comeלְאֶרֶץinto the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵל,Israelוְלֹאbut notעָשָׂהdid Heכֵן,soוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhat is saidשמותShemosי"ג13"וְלֹאAnd notנָחָםled themאֱלֹהִיםGodדֶּרֶךְby way ofאֶרֶץthe land ofפְּלִשְׁתִּים",the Philistinesשֶׁהֵםwho theyיוֹשְׁבִיםwere dwellingעַלbyהַיָּםthe seaבְּמַעֲרָבָהּin the westשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofכְּנַעַןCanaan—כָּעִנְיָןjust asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidבַּפְּלִשְׁתִּיםregarding the PhilistinesצפניהZephaniahב'2"יֹשְׁבֵיinhabitants ofחֶבֶלthe region ofהַיָּםthe seaגּוֹיthe nation ofכְּרֵתִים"Cherethites—וְלֹאand He did notנָחָםlead themאוֹתוֹthatהַדֶּרֶךְ,wayאֶלָּאbutהֱסִבָּןHe turned themוְהוֹצִיאָםand brought them outדֶּרֶךְby way ofדְּרוֹמָהּits southאֶלtoהַמִּדְבָּר,the wildernessוְהוּאand it isשֶׁקְּרָאוֹthat which called itיְחֶזְקֵאלEzekielיחזקאלEzekielכ'20"מִדְבַּרthe wilderness ofהָעַמִּים",the peoplesלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיוּthere wereכַמָּהseveralאֻמּוֹתnationsיוֹשְׁבִיםdwellingבְּצִדּוֹ;by its sideוְהוֹלְכִיןAnd they proceededאֵצֶלalongדְּרוֹמָהּits southמִןfromהַמַּעֲרָבthe westכְּלַפֵּיtowardsמִזְרָחeastתָּמִידalwaysעַדuntilשֶׁבָּאוּthey cameלִדְרוֹמָהּto the southשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofאֱדוֹם,Edomוּבִקְּשׁוּand they requestedמִמֶּלֶךְfrom the king ofאֱדוֹםEdomשֶׁיַּנִּיחֵםthat he permit themלַעֲבֹרto passדֶּרֶךְby way ofאַרְצוֹhis landוּלְהִכָּנֵסand to enterלָאָרֶץinto the Landדֶּרֶךְby way ofרָחְבָּהּits breadthוְלֹאbut notרָצָה,did he wishוְהֻצְרְכוּand they were forcedלִסְבֹּבto go aroundאֶת—כָּלallדְּרוֹמָהּthe southשֶׁלofאֱדוֹםEdomעַדuntilבּוֹאָםtheir comingלִדְרוֹמָהּto the southשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofמוֹאָב,Moabשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשופטיםJudgesי"א11"וְגַםAnd alsoאֶלtoמֶלֶךְthe king ofמוֹאָבMoabשָׁלַחhe sentוְלֹאbut notאָבָה",did he consentוְהָלְכוּAnd they wentכָּלallדְּרוֹמָהּthe southשֶׁלofמוֹאָבMoabעַדuntilסוֹפָהּ,its endוּמִשָּׁםand from thereהָפְכוּthey turnedפְנֵיהֶםtheir facesלַצָּפוֹןto the northעַדuntilשֶׁסָּבְבוּthey went aroundכָלallמֶצֶרthe borderמִזְרָחִיeasternשֶׁלָּהּof hersלְרָחְבָּהּ;along its breadthוּכְשֶׁכִּלּוּand when they finishedאֶת—מִזְרָחָהּ,its eastמָצְאוּthey foundאֶת—אֶרֶץthe land ofסִיחוֹןSihonוְעוֹגand Ogשֶׁהָיוּwho wereיוֹשְׁבִיןdwellingבְּמִזְרָחָהּat the eastשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofכְּנַעַןCanaanוְהַיַּרְדֵּןwith the Jordanמַפְסִיקdividingבֵּינֵיהֶם,between themוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhat is saidבְּיִפְתָּחregarding Jephthahשםthere"וַיֵּלֶךְAnd he wentבַּמִּדְבָּרin the wildernessוַיָּסָבand compassedאֶת—אֶרֶץthe land ofאֱדוֹםEdomוְאֶתand —אֶרֶץthe land ofמוֹאָבMoabוַיָּבֹאand cameמִמִּזְרַחfrom the east ofשֶׁמֶשׁthe sunלְאֶרֶץto the land ofמוֹאָב",MoabוְכָבְשׁוּAnd they conqueredאֶת—אֶרֶץthe land ofסִיחוֹןSihonוְעוֹגand Ogשֶׁהָיְתָהwhich wasבִּצְפוֹנָהּon the northשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofמוֹאָבMoabוְקָרְבוּand they approachedעַדup toהַיַּרְדֵּן,the Jordanוְהוּאand itכְנֶגֶדwas oppositeמִקְצוֹעַthe cornerצָפוֹנָהnorthwardמַעֲרָבָהwestwardשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofמוֹאָב;MoabנִמְצָאIt resultsשֶׁאֶרֶץthat the land ofכְּנַעַןCanaanשֶׁבְּעֵבֶרwhich is on the side ofהַיַּרְדֵּןthe Jordanלַמַּעֲרָב,to the westהָיָהhadמִקְצוֹעַthe cornerדְּרוֹמִיתsouthernמִזְרָחִיתeasternשֶׁלָּהּof hersאֵצֶלnext toאֱדוֹם:Edom

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וְנָסַבAnd shall turnלָכֶםfor youהַגְּבוּלthe boundaryמִנֶּגֶבfrom the southלְמַעֲלֵהof the ascentעַקְרַבִּיםof Akrabbimוְעָבַרand it shall passצִנָהto Zinוהיהand shall beוְהָיוּand shall beתּוֹצְאֹתָיוits goings outמִנֶּגֶבfrom the southלְקָדֵשׁof KadeshבַּרְנֵעַBarneaוְיָצָאand it shall go outחֲצַרto HazarאַדָּרAddarוְעָבַרand it shall passעַצְמֹנָה׃to Azmon

רַשִׁ״י

ונסבAnd shall turnלכםfor youהגבולthe borderמנגבfrom the southלמעלהto the ascent ofעקרבים.AkrabbimכָּלEveryמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhere it is said"וְנָסַב"and shall turnאוֹor"וְיָצָא"and shall go outמְלַמֵּדit teachesשֶׁלֹּאthat notהָיָהwasהַמֶּצֶרthe boundaryשָׁוֶהstraightאֶלָּאbut ratherהוֹלֵךְgoesוְיוֹצֵאand goes outלַחוּץ;outwardיוֹצֵאgoes outהַמֶּצֶרthe boundaryוְעוֹקֵםand bendsלְצַדtoward the side ofצְפוֹנוֹthe northשֶׁלofעוֹלָם,the worldבַּאֲלַכְסוֹןdiagonallyלַמַּעֲרָב,to the westוְעוֹבֵרand passesהַמֶּצֶרthe boundaryבִּדְרוֹמָהּon the southשֶׁלofמַעֲלֵהthe ascent ofעַקְרַבִּים,Akrabbimנִמְצָאit is foundמַעֲלֵהthe ascent ofעַקְרַבִּיםAkrabbimלִפְנִיםinsideמִןfromהַמֶּצֶר:the boundary

רַשִׁ״י

ועברand it shall passצנה.to Zinאֶלtoצִן,Zinכְּמוֹlikeמִצְרַיְמָה:to Mitzrayim

רַשִׁ״י

והיוand shall beתוצאתיו.its goings outקְצוֹתָיו,its endsבִּדְרוֹמָהּat the southשֶׁלofקָדֵשׁKadeshבַּרְנֵעַ:Barnea

רַשִׁ״י

ויצאAnd it shall go forthחצרto Chazarאדר.Addarמִתְפַּשֵּׁטspreadsהַמֶּצֶרthe boundaryוּמַרְחִיבand widensלְצַדtowards the side ofצָפוֹןthe northשֶׁלofעוֹלָםthe worldוְנִמְשָׁךְand extendsעוֹדfurtherבַּאֲלַכְסוֹןobliquelyלַמַּעֲרָב,to the westוּבָאand comesלוֹ·לַחֲצַרto Chazarאַדָּר,Addarוּמִשָּׁםand from thereלְעַצְמוֹן,to Atzmonוּמִשָּׁםand from thereלְנַחַלto the Brook ofמִצְרַיִם;MitzrayimוּלְשׁוֹןAnd the expressionוְנָסַבand it turned aboutהָאָמוּרwhich is saidכָּאן,hereלְפִיis becauseשֶׁכָּתַבthat it wroteוְיָצָאand it shall go forthחֲצַרto Chazarאַדָּר,Addarשֶׁהִתְחִילthat it beganלְהַרְחִיבto widenמִשֶּׁעָבַרfrom when it passedאֶת—קָדֵשׁKadeshבַּרְנֵעַ,Barneaוְרֹחַבand the width ofאוֹתָהּthatרְצוּעָהstripשֶׁבָּלְטָהwhich projectedלְצַדtowards the side ofצָפוֹןthe northהָיְתָהwasמִקָּדֵשׁfrom KadeshבַּרְנֵעַBarneaעַדuntilעַצְמוֹן,Atzmonוּמִשָּׁםand from thereוָהָלְאָהand further onנִתְקַצֵּרbecame narrowerהַמֶּצֶרthe boundaryוְנָסַבand turned aboutלְצַדtowards the side ofהַדָּרוֹםthe southוּבָאand cameלוֹ·לְנַחַלto the Brook ofמִצְרַיִם,Mitzrayimוּמִשָּׁםand from thereלְצַדtowards the side ofהַמַּעֲרָבthe westאֶלtoהַיָּםthe SeaהַגָּדוֹלGreatשֶׁהוּאwhich isמֶצֶרthe boundary ofמַעֲרָבָהּits westשֶׁלofכָּלall ofאֶרֶץthe Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵל,YisraelנִמְצָאIt followsשֶׁנַּחַלthat the Brook ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimבְּמִקְצוֹעַis at the cornerמַעֲרָבִיתwesternדְּרוֹמִית:southern

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וְנָסַבand shall turnהַגְּבוּלthe boundaryמֵעַצְמוֹןfrom Azmonנַחְלָהto the Wadi ofמִצְרָיִםMitzrayimוְהָיוּand shall beתוֹצְאֹתָיוits terminationsהַיָּמָּה׃at the Sea

רַשִׁ״י

והיוand shall beתוצאתיוits goings outהימה.at the seaאֶלtoמֶצֶרthe boundary ofהַמַּעֲרָבthe westשֶׁאֵיןbecause notעוֹדany moreגְּבוּלthe border ofנֶגֶבthe southמַאֲרִיךְextendsלְצַדto the side ofהַמַּעֲרָבthe westמִשָּׁםfrom thereוָהָלְאָה:and further on

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וּגְבוּלAnd the boundaryיָםof the westוְהָיָהand it shall beלָכֶםfor youהַיָּםthe Seaהַגָּדוֹלthe Greatוּגְבוּלand a boundaryזֶהthisיִהְיֶהshall beלָכֶםfor youגְּבוּלthe boundary ofיָם׃the west

רַשִׁ״י

וגבולand the boundaryים.of the seaוּמֶצֶרand the borderמַעֲרָבִיwesternמַהוּ?what is it

רַשִׁ״י

והיהand shall beלכםunto youהיםthe seaהגדול.the greatלְמֶצֶר:for the boundary

רַשִׁ״י

וגבול.And the boundaryהַנִּסִּיןthe islandsשֶׁבְּתוֹךְthat are withinהַיָּםthe seaאַףalsoהֵםtheyמִןare ofהַגְּבוּל,the boundaryוְהֵםand theyאִיִּיםislandsשֶקּוֹרִיןthat they callאיזל"ס:isles

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וְזֶהAnd thisיִהְיֶהshall beלָכֶםfor youגְּבוּלthe boundary ofצָפוֹןnorthמִןfromהַיָּםthe seaהַגָּדֹלgreatתְּתָאוּyou shall markלָכֶםfor yourselvesהֹרHorהָהָר׃the mountain

רַשִׁ״י

גבולboundary ofצפון.northמֶצֶרthe border ofצָפוֹן:north

רַשִׁ״י

מןFromהיםthe seaהגדלgreatתתאוyou shall markלכםfor yourselvesהרMountההר.Horשֶׁהוּאwhich isבְמִקְצוֹעַat the cornerצְפוֹנִיתnorthמַעֲרָבִיתwestוְרֹאשׁוֹand its topמַשְׁפִּיעַslopes downוְנִכְנָסand entersלְתוֹךְintoהַיָּם,the seaוְיֵשׁand there isמֵרֹחַבof the widthהַיָּםof the seaלִפְנִיםinwardהֵימֶנּוּfrom itוְחוּצָהand outwardהֵימֶנּוּ:from it

רַשִׁ״י

תתאו.you shall markתְּשַׁפְּעוּyou shall slantלָכֶם,for yourselvesלִנְטוֹתto turnמִמַּעֲרָבfrom westלַצָּפוֹן,to the northאֶלtoהֹרHorהָהָר:the mountain

רַשִׁ״י

תתאו.you shall turnלְשׁוֹןan expression ofסִבָּה,slantingכְּמוֹjust as"אֶלtoתָּאthe chamber ofהָרָצִים"the runnersמלכיםKingsאIי"ד14,"וְתָאֵיand the chambers ofהַשַּׁעַר"the gateיחזקאלEzekielמ'40—הַיָּצִיעַ,the lean-toשֶׁקּוֹרִיןwhich they callאפנדי"ץ,apendizשֶׁהוּאwhich itמוּסָבis slopedוּמְשֻׁפָּע:and slanted

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

מֵהֹרfrom Horהָהָרthe mountainתְּתָאוּyou shall drawלְבֹאto the entrance ofחֲמָתChamasוְהָיוּand shall beתּוֹצְאֹתthe goings out ofהַגְּבֻלthe boundaryצְדָדָה׃to Tzedad

רַשִׁ״י

מהרFrom Mountההר.the Horתָּסֹבּוּyou shall turnוְתֵלְכוּand you shall goאֶלtoמֶצֶרthe boundary ofהַצָּפוֹןthe northלְצַדto the side ofהַמִּזְרָח,the eastוְתִפְגְּעוּand you shall arriveבִּלְבֹאat the entrance ofחֲמָת,Chamathזוֹthis isאַנְטוֹכְיָא:Antioch

רַשִׁ״י

תוצאתThe goings out ofהגבל.the boundaryסוֹפֵיthe ends ofהַגְּבוּל;the boundaryכָּלeveryמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhere it is saidתּוֹצְאוֹתthe goings out ofהַגְּבוּל,the boundaryאוֹeitherהַמֶּצֶרthe boundary lineכָּלֶהendsשָׁםthereלְגַמְרֵיcompletelyוְאֵינוֹand it does notעוֹבֵרpassלְהַלָּןfurther onכְּלָל,at allאוֹorמִשָּׁםfrom thereמִתְפַּשֵּׁטit spreadsוּמַרְחִיבand widensוְיוֹצֵאand goes outלַאֲחוֹרָיוbackwardsלְהִמָּשֵׁךְto extendלְהַלָּןfurther onבַּאֲלַכְסוֹןdiagonallyיוֹתֵרmoreמִןthanהָרֹחַבthe widthהָרִאשׁוֹן,firstוּלְעִנְיַןand regardingרֹחַבthe width ofהַמִּדָּהthe measurementהָרִאשׁוֹןfirstקְרָאוֹit calls itתּוֹצָאוֹת,goings outשֶׁשָּׁםbecause thereכָּלְתָהendedאוֹתָהּthatמִדָּה:measurement

פָּסוּק טז

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וְיָצָאand shall go outהַגְּבֻלthe boundaryזִפְרֹנָהto Ziphronוְהָיוּand shall beתוֹצְאֹתָיוits terminationsחֲצַרat HazarעֵינָןEnanזֶהthisיִהְיֶהshall beלָכֶםfor youגְּבוּלthe boundary ofצָפוֹן׃north

רַשִׁ״י

והיוAnd the goings out of it shall beתוצאתיוits extensionsחצרat Chazarעינן.Einanהוּאitהָיָהwasסוֹףthe end ofהַמֶּצֶרthe boundaryהַצְּפוֹנִי,the northernוְנִמְצֵאתand it turns outחֲצַרChazarעֵינָןEinanבְּמִקְצוֹעַwas in the cornerצְפוֹנִיתnorthמִזְרָחִית,eastוּמִשָּׁםand from thereוהתאויתםyou shall drawלכםfor yourselvesאֶלtoמֶצֶרthe boundaryהַמִּזְרָחִי:the eastern

פָּסוּק יז

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וְהִתְאַוִּיתֶםand you shall drawלָכֶםfor yourselvesלִגְבוּלfor a boundaryקֵדְמָהeastwardמֵחֲצַרfrom ChazarעֵינָןEnanשְׁפָמָה׃to Shepham

רַשִׁ״י

והתאויתם.and you shall turnלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהֲסִבָּהturningוּנְטִיָּה,and incliningכְּמוֹjust like"תְּתָאוּ":you shall turn

רַשִׁ״י

שפמה.to Shepamבַּמֶּצֶרon the boundaryהַמִּזְרָחִי,the easternוּמִשָּׁםand from thereהָרִבְלָה:to Riblah

פָּסוּק יח

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וְיָרַדand shall descendהַגְּבֻלthe boundaryמִשְּׁפָםfrom Shephamהָרִבְלָהto Riblahמִקֶּדֶםfrom the eastלָעָיִןof Ainוְיָרַדand shall descendהַגְּבוּלthe boundaryוּמָחָהand shall strikeעַלuponכֶּתֶףthe slopeיָםof the Seaכִּנֶּרֶתof Chinnerethקֵדְמָה׃eastward

רַשִׁ״י

מקדםOn the eastלעין.of Ainשֵׁםthe name ofמָקוֹם,a placeוְהַמֶּצֶרand the boundaryהוֹלֵךְgoesבְּמִזְרָחוֹ,on its eastנִמְצָאit turns outהָעַיִןthe Ainלִפְנִיםis withinמִן·הַמֶּצֶרthe boundaryוּמֵאֶרֶץand of the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelהוּא:it is

רַשִׁ״י

וירדAnd shall go downהגבול.the boundaryכָּלthe moreשֶׁהַגְּבוּלthat the boundaryהוֹלֵךְgoesמִצָּפוֹןfrom northלַדָּרוֹםto southהוּאitיוֹרֵדgoes downוְהוֹלֵךְ:and continues

רַשִׁ״י

ומחהand it shall smiteעלuponכתףthe slope ofיםthe Sea ofכנרתChinnerethקדמה.eastwardשֶׁיְּהֵאso that there will beיָםthe Sea ofכִּנֶּרֶתChinnerethתּוֹךְwithinלַגְּבוּל,the borderבַּמַּעֲרָב,on the westוְהַגְּבוּלand the borderבְּמִזְרַחis on the east ofיָםthe Sea ofכִּנֶּרֶת,Chinnerethוּמִשָּׁםand from thereיָרַדit went downאֶלtoהַיַּרְדֵּן,the Jordanוְהַיַּרְדֵּןand the Jordanמוֹשֵׁךְextendsוּבָאand comesמִןfromהַצָּפוֹןthe northלַדָּרוֹםto the southבַּאֲלַכְסוֹן,in a slantנוֹטֶהincliningלְצַדtowards the side ofמִזְרָחeastמִתְקָרֵבcoming closerלְצַדtowards the side ofאֶרֶץthe Land ofכְּנַעַןCanaanכְּנֶגֶדoppositeיָםthe Sea ofכִּנֶּרֶת,Chinnerethוּמוֹשֵׁךְand it extendsלְצַדtowards the side ofמִזְרָחָהּits eastשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelכְּנֶגֶדoppositeיָםthe Sea ofכִּנֶּרֶתChinnerethעַדuntilשֶׁנּוֹפֵלit fallsבְּיָםinto the Sea ofהַמֶּלַח,Saltוּמִשָּׁםand from thereכָּלֶהendsהַגְּבוּלthe borderבְּתוֹצְאוֹתָיוat its goings forthאֶלtoיָםthe Sea ofהַמֶּלַח,Saltשֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּfrom whichהַתְחָלַתis the beginning ofמֶצֶרthe boundary ofמִקְצוֹעַthe corner ofדְּרוֹמִיתsouthמִזְרָחִית,eastהֲרֵיbeholdסוֹבֶבֶתit surroundsאוֹתָהּitלְאַרְבַּעon its fourרוּחוֹתֶיהָ:sides

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וְיָרַדand shall descendהַגְּבוּלthe boundaryהַיַּרְדֵּנָהto the Jordanוְהָיוּand shall beתוֹצְאֹתָיוits terminationsיָםat the Sea ofהַמֶּלַחSaltזֹאתthisתִּהְיֶהshall beלָכֶםfor youהָאָרֶץthe landלִגְבֻלֹתֶיהָaccording to its boundariesסָבִיב׃all around

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיְצַוAnd commandedמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶת—בְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלֵאמֹרsayingזֹאתthis isהָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּתְנַחֲלוּyou shall inheritאֹתָהּitבְּגוֹרָלby lotאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemלָתֵתto giveלְתִשְׁעַתto the nine ofהַמַּטּוֹתthe tribesוַחֲצִיand half ofהַמַּטֶּה׃the tribe

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

כִּיforלָקְחוּhave takenמַטֵּהthe tribe ofבְנֵיthe children ofהָראוּבֵנִיReuvenלְבֵיתaccording to the house ofאֲבֹתָםtheir fathersוּמַטֵּהand the tribe ofבְנֵיthe children ofהַגָּדִיGadלְבֵיתaccording to the house ofאֲבֹתָםtheir fathersוַחֲצִיand half ofמַטֵּהthe tribe ofמְנַשֶּׁהMenasheלָקְחוּhave takenנַחֲלָתָם׃their inheritance

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

שְׁנֵיthe two ofהַמַּטּוֹתthe tribesוַחֲצִיand half ofהַמַּטֶּהthe tribeלָקְחוּhave takenנַחֲלָתָםtheir inheritanceמֵעֵבֶרfrom acrossלְיַרְדֵּןthe Jordan ofיְרֵחוֹYerichoקֵדְמָהeastwardמִזְרָחָה׃toward the sunrise

רַשִׁ״י

קדמהAt the frontמזרחה.eastwardאֶלtoפְּנֵיthe face ofהָעוֹלָם,the worldשֶׁהֵםwhich isבַּמִּזְרָח,in the eastשֶׁרוּחַfor the directionמִזְרָחִיתeasternקְרוּיָהis calledפָנִיםfrontוּמַעֲרָבִיתand the westernקְרוּיָהis calledאָחוֹר,behindלְפִיכָךְthereforeדָּרוֹםsouthלַיָּמִיןis to the rightוְצָפוֹןand northלַשְּׂמֹאל:is to the left

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with Hashem's command to dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan, destroy their molten images and high places, and settle the land, warning that any remaining inhabitants will become like thorns in our sides. Hashem then details the exact geographical boundaries of the Promised Land—from the Wilderness of Zin and the Dead Sea in the south, to the Great Sea in the west, Mount Hor in the north, and down along the Yarden to the Dead Sea in the east. Finally, Moshe Rabbeinu instructs the Bnei Yisrael that this defined territory is the inheritance to be divided by lot among the nine and a half tribes, as the other two and a half tribes have already received their portions on the eastern side of the Yarden.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In this week's parshah, the Torah outlines the precise borders of Eretz Yisrael, mapping out every corner, mountain, and valley. But right before this, Hashem gives a stark warning: if Bnei Yisrael do not completely clear out the negative, idolatrous influences of the land, those remaining elements will become "stings in your eyes and thorns in your sides." The Torah is teaching us a profound rule in spiritual geography. To truly inherit the holy space Hashem has designated for you, you must first make a clean break from the negative influences that threaten to compromise it.

We all have our own "boundaries", the holy spaces of our daily lives, like our homes, our Shabbos table, or the quiet moments we set aside for Torah study and tefillah. We want these spaces to be pure and filled with kedushah. Yet, so often, we try to build this holiness while allowing small, toxic habits or negative environments to linger in the background. We think we can tolerate just a little bit of the "clutter" of the outside world. But the Torah warns us that what we compromise on today will become a painful thorn in our side tomorrow, slowly irritating our spiritual vision and disrupting our peace.

To build a life of true emunah and yiras Shamayim, we must be willing to draw clear lines. You cannot fully settle into your spiritual inheritance if you are still harboring the very things that pull you away from Hashem. True growth requires the courage to identify what is holding you back and to clear it out completely, making room for the blessings Hashem wants to give you.

Today, identify one negative influence, toxic habit, or inappropriate distraction in your personal environment, and make a firm, clean break from it to protect the holiness of your home and mind.