Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, Moshe Rabbeinu gathers the entire Jewish nation—from the heads of the tribes to the woodchoppers and waterdrawers—to stand together before Hashem. He is bringing them into a binding covenant and oath to establish them as Hashem's chosen nation, just as He promised to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. This covenant is made not only with those standing there that day, but with all future generations of Klal Yisrael as well.

Moshe warns the people against the terrible danger of being influenced by the disgusting avodah zarah they saw in Mitzrayim and among the other nations. He cautions that no individual, family, or tribe should think they can secretly turn away from Hashem and remain safe from punishment, as Hashem will never forgive such rebellion and will bring all the curses of the covenant upon them.

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

אַתֶּםYouנִצָּבִיםare standingהַיּוֹםtodayכֻּלְּכֶםall of youלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godרָאשֵׁיכֶםyour headsשִׁבְטֵיכֶםof your tribesזִקְנֵיכֶםyour eldersוְשֹׁטְרֵיכֶםand your officersכֹּלeveryאִישׁman ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

אתםYouנצבים.are standingמְלַמֵּדThis teachesשֶׁכִּנְּסָםthat gathered themמֹשֶׁהMosheלִפְנֵיbeforeהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One, Blessed be Heבְּיוֹםon the day ofמוֹתוֹhis deathלְהַכְנִיסָםto enter themבַּבְּרִית:into the covenant

רַשִׁ״י

ראשיכםyour headsשבטיכם.your tribesרָאשֵׁיכֶםthe heads ofלְשִׁבְטֵיכֶם:your tribes

רַשִׁ״י

זקניכםyour eldersושטריכם.and your officersהֶחָשׁוּבthe prominentחָשׁוּבprominentקוֹדֵם,comes firstוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatכלallאישthe men ofישראלYisrael:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

טַפְּכֶםyour childrenנְשֵׁיכֶםyour wivesוְגֵרְךָand your strangerאֲשֶׁרwhoבְּקֶרֶבis in the midst ofמַחֲנֶיךָyour campמֵחֹטֵבfrom the chopper ofעֵצֶיךָyour woodעַדuntilשֹׁאֵבthe drawer ofמֵימֶיךָ׃your water

רַשִׁ״י

מחטבFrom the woodcutterעציך.of your woodמְלַמֵּדthis teachesשֶׁבָּאוּthat there cameכְנַעֲנִיִּיםCanaanitesלְהִתְגַּיֵּרto convertבִּימֵיin the days ofמֹשֶׁהMosheכְּדֶרֶךְjust asשֶׁבָּאוּthere cameגִּבְעוֹנִיםGibeonitesבִּימֵיin the days ofיְהוֹשֻׁעַ,Yehoshuaוְזֶהוּand this isהָאָמוּרwhat is statedבַּגִּבְעוֹנִיםregarding the GibeonitesיהושעYehoshuaט'nine"וַיַּעֲשׂוּand they actedגַםalsoהֵמָּהtheyבְּעָרְמָה",with cunningוּנְתָנָםand he made themמֹשֶׁהMosheחוֹטְבֵיwoodcuttersעֵצִיםof woodוְשׁוֹאֲבֵיand drawers ofמַיִםwaterעי'seeתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

לְעָבְרְךָfor you to passבִּבְרִיתinto the covenant ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godוּבְאָלָתוֹand into His oathאֲשֶׁרwhichיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godכֹּרֵתis makingעִמְּךָwith youהַיּוֹם׃today

רַשִׁ״י

לעברך.for your passingלִהְיוֹתְךָfor your beingעוֹבֵרpassingבַּבְּרִית,into the covenantוְלֹאand notיִתָּכֵןis it correctלְפָרְשׁוֹto explain itכְּמוֹlikeלְהַעֲבִירְךָ,to make you passאֶלָּאbutכְּמוֹlikeלַעֲשֹׂתְכֶםthat you doאֹתָם:them

רַשִׁ״י

לעברךfor your passingבברית.into the covenantדֶּרֶךְthe way ofהַעֲבָרָהpassingכָּךְ:soהָיוּwereכוֹרְתֵיthose who makeבְרִיתוֹתcovenantsעוֹשִׂיןmakingמְחִצָּהa partitionמִכָּאןfrom hereוּמְחִצָּהand a partitionמִכָּאןfrom hereוְעוֹבְרִיםand passingבֵּינְתַּיִם,between themכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is said"הָעֵגֶלthe calfאֲשֶׁרwhichכָּרְתוּthey cutלִשְׁנַיִםin twoוַיַּעַבְרוּand they passedבֵּיןbetweenבְּתָרָיו"its partsירמיהוYirmeyahuל"ד34:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

לְמַעַןin orderהָקִיםto establishאֹתְךָyouהַיּוֹםthis dayלוֹto Himselfלְעָםfor a peopleוְהוּאand Heיִהְיֶהwill beלְּךָto youלֵאלֹהִיםfor GodכַּאֲשֶׁרasדִּבֶּרHe spokeלָךְto youוְכַאֲשֶׁרand asנִשְׁבַּעHe sworeלַאֲבֹתֶיךָto your fathersלְאַבְרָהָםto Avrahamלְיִצְחָקto Yitzchakוּלְיַעֲקֹב׃and to Yaakov

רַשִׁ״י

למעןIn orderהקיםto establishאתךyouהיוםtodayלוfor Himselfלעם.for a peopleכָּלAllכָּךְthisהוּאHeנִכְנָסentersלִטְרֹחַto troubleלְמַעַןin orderקַיֵּםto keepאוֹתְךָyouלְפָנָיוbefore Himלְעָם:for a people

רַשִׁ״י

והואAnd Heיהיהwill beלךto youלאלהים.for a Godלְפִיbecauseשֶׁדִּבֵּרthat He spokeלְךְto youוְנִשְׁבַּעand sworeלַאֲבוֹתֶיךָto your fathersשֶׁלֹּאnotלְהַחֲלִיףto exchangeאֶת—זַרְעָםtheir childrenבְּאֻמָּהfor a nationאַחֶרֶת,anotherלְכָךְthereforeהוּאHeאוֹסֵרbindsאֶתְכֶםyouבַּשְּׁבוּעוֹתwith the oathsהַלָּלוּtheseשֶׁלֹּאso that notתַקְנִיטוּהוּ,you provoke Himאַחַרsinceשֶׁהוּאthat Heאֵינוֹis notיָכוֹלableלְהִבָּדֵלto separate Himselfמִכֶּם.from youעַדuntilכָּאןhereפֵּרַשְׁתִּיI have explainedפְּשׁוּטָהּthe literal meaningשֶׁלofפָּרָשָׁה.the sectionוּמִדְרַשׁand the Midrashאַגָּדָה:Aggadahלָמָּהwhyנִסְמְכָהwas juxtaposedפָרָשַׁתthe section ofאַתֶּםyouנִצָּבִיםare standingלַקְּלָלוֹת?to the cursesלְפִיbecauseשֶׁשָּׁמְעוּwhen they heardיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelמֵאָהone hundredקְלָלוֹתcursesחָסֵרminusשְׁתַּיִםtwoחוּץbesidesמִמ"טfrom the forty nineשֶׁבְּתוֹרַתthat are in Torasכֹּהֲנִים,Kohanimהוֹרִיקוּturned paleפְנֵיהֶםtheir facesוְאָמְרוּand they saidמִיwhoיוּכַלcanלַעֲמֹדto standבָּאֵלּוּ?against theseהִתְחִילbeganמֹשֶׁהMosheלְפַיְּסָםto appease them—אתםyouנצביםare standingהיוםtoday,הַרְבֵּהmany timesהִכְעַסְתֶּםyou angeredלַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentוְלֹאand notעָשָׂהdid He makeאִתְּכֶםwith youכְּלָיָהdestructionוַהֲרֵיand beholdאַתֶּםyouקַיָּמִיםare existingלְפָנָיו:before Him

רַשִׁ״י

היום.This dayכַּיּוֹםlike the dayהַזֶּהthisשֶׁהוּאwhich isקַיָּםenduringוְהוּאand itמַאֲפִילgrows darkוּמֵאִיר,and shinesכָּךְsoהֵאִירHe made shineלָכֶםfor youוְכָךְand soעָתִידHe is destinedלְהָאִירto make shineלָכֶם,for youוְהַקְּלָלוֹתand the cursesוְהַיִּסּוּרִיןand the sufferingsמְקַיְּמִיןmake endureאֶתְכֶםyouוּמַצִּיבִיןand make standאֶתְכֶםyouלְפָנָיו;before Himוְאַףand evenהַפָּרָשָׁהthe sectionשֶׁלofמַעְלָהaboveמִזּוֹfrom thisפִּיּוּסִיןcomforting wordsהֵם,they areאַתֶּםYouרְאִיתֶםhave seenאֵת—כָּלallאֲשֶׁרthatעָשָׂה;He didדָּבָרAnotherאַחֵרexplanation—אתםYouנצביםare standing,לְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיוּthat wereיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelיוֹצְאִיןdepartingמִפַּרְנָסfrom a leaderלְפַרְנָסto a leader—מִמֹּשֶׁהfrom Mosheלִיהוֹשֻׁעַto Yehoshua—לְפִיכָךְthereforeעָשָׂהhe madeאוֹתָםthemמַצֵּבָהa standing rankכְּדֵיin orderלְזָרְזָם;to urge themוְכֵןand soעָשָׂהdidיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaיהושעYehoshuaכ"ד24וְכֵןand soשְׁמוּאֵלShmuelשמואלShmuelאIי"ב12"הִתְיַצְּבוּstand stillוְאִשָּׁפְטָהthat I may reasonאִתְּכֶם",with youכְּשֶׁיָּצְאוּwhen they leftמִיָּדוֹfrom his handוְנִכְנְסוּand enteredלְיָדוֹinto the handשֶׁלofשָׁאוּלShaulעי'seeתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְלֹאAnd notאִתְּכֶםwith youלְבַדְּכֶםaloneאָנֹכִיdo Iכֹּרֵתmakeאֶת—הַבְּרִיתthe covenantהַזֹּאתthisוְאֶתand —הָאָלָהthe oathהַזֹּאת׃this

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

כִּיbutאֶת—אֲשֶׁרwhoיֶשְׁנוֹisפֹּהhereעִמָּנוּwith usעֹמֵדstandingהַיּוֹםtodayלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵינוּour Godוְאֵתand withאֲשֶׁרwhoאֵינֶנּוּis notפֹּהhereעִמָּנוּwith usהַיּוֹם׃today

רַשִׁ״י

ואתand with —אשרwhoאיננוis notפה.hereוְאַףand evenעִםwithדּוֹרוֹתgenerationsהָעֲתִידִיםthat are destinedלִהְיוֹת:to be

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

כִּיForאַתֶּםyouיְדַעְתֶּםknowאֵת—אֲשֶׁרthatיָשַׁבְנוּwe dweltבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofמִצְרָיִםMitzrayimוְאֵתand —אֲשֶׁרthatעָבַרְנוּwe passedבְּקֶרֶבthrough the midst ofהַגּוֹיִםthe nationsאֲשֶׁרwhomעֲבַרְתֶּם׃you passed by

רַשִׁ״י

כיForאתםyouידעתםknowוגו'.etc.לְפִיBecauseשֶׁרְאִיתֶםthat you sawהָאֻמּוֹת,the nationsוְשֶׁמָּאand perhapsהִשִּׂיאbeguiledלֵבthe heart ofאֶחָדoneמִכֶּםof youאוֹתוֹhimלָלֶכֶתto goאַחֲרֵיהֶם,after themפןLestישthere isבכםamong youוגו'etc.,לְפִיכָךְthereforeאֲנִיIצָרִיךְneedלְהַשְׁבִּיעֲכֶם:to place you under oath

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַתִּרְאוּAnd you sawאֶת—שִׁקּוּצֵיהֶםtheir detestable thingsוְאֵתand —גִּלֻּלֵיהֶםtheir idolsעֵץwoodוָאֶבֶןand stoneכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldאֲשֶׁרthatעִמָּהֶם׃were with them

רַשִׁ״י

ותראוAnd you sawאת—שקוציהם.their abominationsעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofשֶׁהֵםthat theyמְאוּסִיםare loathsomeכַּשְּׁקָצִים:like creeping things

רַשִׁ״י

גלליהם.their idolsשֶׁמֻּסְרָחִיםthat they are foulוּמְאוּסִיןand loathsomeכַּגָּלָל:like dung

רַשִׁ״י

עץWoodואבן.and stoneאוֹתָןthoseשֶׁלofעֵצִיםwoodוְשֶׁלand ofאֲבָנִיםstonesרְאִיתֶםyou sawבַּגָּלוּי,in the openלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat notהַגּוֹיthe non-Jewיָרֵאfearsשֶׁמָּאlestיִגָּנְבוּ,they will be stolenאֲבָלbutשֶׁלthose ofכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldעמהםare with them,בְּחַדְרֵיin chambers ofמַשְׂכִּיתָםtheir imageryהֵם,they areלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהֵםthat theyיְרֵאִיםfearשֶׁמָּאlestיִגָּנְבוּthey will be stolenתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

פֶּןlestיֵשׁthere isבָּכֶםamong youאִישׁa manאוֹorאִשָּׁהa womanאוֹorמִשְׁפָּחָהa familyאוֹorשֵׁבֶטa tribeאֲשֶׁרwhoseלְבָבוֹheartפֹנֶהturnsהַיּוֹםtodayמֵעִםfrom withיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵינוּour Godלָלֶכֶתto goלַעֲבֹדto serveאֶת—אֱלֹהֵיthe gods ofהַגּוֹיִםthe nationsהָהֵםthoseפֶּןlestיֵשׁthere isבָּכֶםamong youשֹׁרֶשׁa rootפֹּרֶהproducingרֹאשׁgallוְלַעֲנָה׃and wormwood

רַשִׁ״י

פןlestישthere isבכם.among youשֶׁמָּאperhapsישthere isבכםamong you:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhoלבבוhis heartפנהturns awayהיום.todayמִלְּקַבֵּלfrom acceptingעָלָיוupon himselfהַבְּרִית:the covenant

רַשִׁ״י

שרשA rootפרהfruitful inראשpoisonous herbולענה.and wormwoodשֹׁרֶשׁa rootמְגַדֵּלthat growsעֵשֶׂבherbמַרbitterכַּגִּידִיןlike wormwood-plantsשֶׁהֵםwhich areמָרִים,bitterכְּלוֹמַרmeaning—מַפְרֶהfruitfully producesוּמַרְבֶּהand increasesרֶשַׁעwickednessבְּקִרְבְּכֶם:in your midst

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וְהָיָהAnd it will beבְּשָׁמְעוֹwhen he hearsאֶת—דִּבְרֵיthe words ofהָאָלָהcurseהַזֹּאתthisוְהִתְבָּרֵךְand he blesses himselfבִּלְבָבוֹin his heartלֵאמֹרsayingשָׁלוֹםpeaceיִהְיֶהwill beלִּיto meכִּיforבִּשְׁרִרוּתin the stubbornness ofלִבִּיmy heartאֵלֵךְI will walkלְמַעַןin orderסְפוֹתto addהָרָוָהthe wateredאֶת—הַצְּמֵאָה׃the thirsty

רַשִׁ״י

והתברךAnd he will bless himselfבלבבו.in his heartלְשׁוֹןan expression ofבְּרָכָה,blessingיַחֲשֹׁבhe will thinkבְּלִבּוֹin his heartבִּרְכַּתa blessing ofשָׁלוֹםpeaceלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfלֵאמֹר,sayingלֹאnotיְבוֹאוּנִיwill come upon meקְלָלוֹתcursesהַלָּלוּ,theseאַךbutשלוםpeaceיהיהwill beליto me:

רַשִׁ״י

והתברך.and he shall bless himselfבנדי"ראbenoir soiשו"יא·בְּלַעַז,in foreign tongueכְּמוֹlikeוְהִתְגַּלָּח,and he shall shave himselfוְהִתְפַּלֵּל:and he shall pray

רַשִׁ״י

בשררותIn the view ofלביmy heartאלך.I will walkבְּמַרְאִיתin the sight ofלִבִּי,my heartכְּמוֹlikeבמדברin Bamidbarכ"ד24"אֲשׁוּרֶנּוּI shall see himוְלֹאand notקָרוֹב",nearכְּלוֹמַר,meaning to sayמַהwhatשֶּׁלִּבִּיthat my heartרוֹאֶהseesלַעֲשׂוֹת:to do

רַשִׁ״י

למעןIn orderספותto addהרוה.the drunkenלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאוֹסִיףthat I will addלוֹto himפֻּרְעָנוּתpunishmentעַלforמַהthatשֶּׁעָשָׂהwhich he didעַדuntilהֵנָּהnowבְשׁוֹגֵג,inadvertentlyוְהָיִיתִיand I wasמַעֲבִירoverlookingעֲלֵיהֶם,themוְגוֹרֵםand he causesעַתָּהnowשֶׁאֲצָרְפֵםthat I combine themעִםwithהַמֵּזִידthe intentionalוְאֶפָּרַעand I will exactמִמֶּנּוּfrom himהַכֹּל,for everythingוְכֵןand soתִּרְגֵּםtranslatedאֻנְקְלוֹסOnkelos"בְּדִילin orderלְאוֹסָפָאto addלֵהּto himחֶטְאֵיthe sins ofשָׁלוּתָאinadvertenceעַלuponזְדָנוּתָא"premeditation—שֶׁאוֹסִיףthat I will addלוֹto himאֲנִיIהַשְּׁגָגוֹתthe inadvertent sinsעַלuponהַזְּדוֹנוֹת:the intentional sins

רַשִׁ״י

הרוה.the drunkenשׁוֹגֵג,an inadvertent sinnerשֶׁהוּאwho heעוֹשֶׂהactsכְאָדָםlike a personשִׁכּוֹרdrunkשֶׁהוּאwho heעוֹשֶׂהactsשֶׁלֹּאwithoutמִדַּעַת:knowledge

רַשִׁ״י

הצמאה.the thirstyשֶׁהוּאthat heעוֹשֶׂהactsמִדַּעַתwittinglyוּבְתַאֲוָה:and with desire

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

לֹאnotיֹאבֶהwill desireיְהוָהHashemסְלֹחַto forgiveלוֹhimכִּיratherאָזthenיֶעְשַׁןwill smokeאַףthe anger ofיְהוָהHashemוְקִנְאָתוֹand His jealousyבָּאִישׁagainst the manהַהוּאthatוְרָבְצָהand will restבּוֹupon himכָּלallהָאָלָהthe curseהַכְּתוּבָהthat is writtenבַּסֵּפֶרin the bookהַזֶּהthisוּמָחָהand will blot outיְהוָהHashemאֶת—שְׁמוֹhis nameמִתַּחַתfrom underהַשָּׁמָיִם׃the heavens

רַשִׁ״י

יעשןshall smokeאףthe anger ofה'.Hashemעַלthroughיְדֵיmeans ofכַעַסangerהַגּוּףthe bodyמִתְחַמֵּםbecomes heatedוְהֶעָשָׁןand the smokeיוֹצֵאgoes outמִןfromהָאַף,the nostrilוְכֵןand soשמואלShmuelבIIכ״ב:ט׳22"עָלָה9עָשָׁןrose upבְּאַפּוֹ",smokeוְאַףin His nostrilעַלand evenפִּי·שֶׁאֵיןthoughזוֹthat there is notלִפְנֵיthisהַמָּקוֹם,beforeהַכָּתוּבthe Omnipresentמַשְׁמִיעַthe Scriptureאֶתmakes hearהָאֹזֶן—כְּדֶרֶךְthe earשֶׁהִיאaccording to the wayרְגִילָהthat itוִיכוֹלָהis accustomedלִשְׁמֹעַand is ableכְּפִיto hearדֶרֶךְaccording toהָאָרֶץ:the way of

רַשִׁ״י

וקנאתו.and His jealousyלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofחֵמָה,wrathאנפרטמי"נט,emportmentאֲחִיזַתholding ontoלְבִישַׁתthe wearing ofנְקָמָהvengeanceוְאֵינוֹand notמַעֲבִירpassing overעַלonהַמִּדָּה:the measure

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וְהִבְדִּילוֹAnd He will separate himיְהוָהHashemלְרָעָהfor evilמִכֹּלfrom allשִׁבְטֵיthe tribes ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelכְּכֹלaccording to allאָלוֹתthe curses ofהַבְּרִיתthe covenantהַכְּתוּבָהthat is writtenבְּסֵפֶרin the book ofהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahהַזֶּה׃this

רַשִׁ״י

הכתובהWhich is writtenבספרin the book ofהתורהthe Torahהזה.thisוּלְמַעְלָהand aboveהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"גַּםalsoכָּלeveryחֳלִיsicknessוְכָלand everyמַכָּהplague…בְּסֵפֶרin the book ofהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahהַזֹּאת"?thisהַזֹּאתThis—לְשׁוֹןis a term ofנְקֵבָהfeminineמוּסָבreferredאֶלtoהַתּוֹרָה,the Torahהַזֶּהthis—לְשׁוֹןis a term ofזָכָרmasculineמוּסָבreferredאֶלtoהַסֵּפֶר,the bookוְעַלand byיְדֵיmeans ofפִסּוּקthe division ofהַטְּעָמִיםthe cantillation notesהֵןtheyנֶחֱלָקִיןare dividedלִשְׁתֵּיinto twoלְשׁוֹנוֹת,phrasesבְּפָרָשַׁתin the section ofהַקְּלָלוֹתthe cursesהַטִּפְּחָאthe Tipchaנְתוּנָהis placedתַּחַתunderבְּסֵפֶר,in the book ofוְהַתּוֹרָהand the Torahהַזֹּאתthisדְּבוּקִיםare connectedזֶהthisלָזֶה,to thisלְכָךְthereforeאָמַרit saysהַזֹּאת,thisוְכָאןand hereהַטִּפְּחָאthe Tipchaנְתוּנָהis placedתַּחַתunderהַתּוֹרָה,the Torahנִמְצָאit turns outסֵפֶרbook ofהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahדְּבוּקִיםare connectedזֶהthisלָזֶה,to thisלְפִיכָךְthereforeלְשׁוֹןa term ofזָכָרmasculineנוֹפֵלfallsאַחֲרָיו,after itשֶׁהַלָּשׁוֹןbecause the expressionנוֹפֵלfallsעַלuponהַסֵּפֶר:the book

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וְאָמַרAnd will sayהַדּוֹרthe generationהָאַחֲרוֹןthe laterבְּנֵיכֶםyour childrenאֲשֶׁרwhoיָקוּמוּwill ariseמֵאַחֲרֵיכֶםafter youוְהַנָּכְרִיand the foreignerאֲשֶׁרwhoיָבֹאwill comeמֵאֶרֶץfrom a landרְחוֹקָהdistantוְרָאוּand they will seeאֶת—מַכּוֹתthe plagues ofהָאָרֶץthe landהַהִואthatוְאֶתand —תַּחֲלֻאֶיהָits illnessesאֲשֶׁרwhichחִלָּהhas inflictedיְהוָהHashemבָּהּ׃upon it

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

גָּפְרִיתsulfurוָמֶלַחand saltשְׂרֵפָהburntכָלallאַרְצָהּits landלֹאnotתִזָּרַעwill it be sownוְלֹאand notתַצְמִחַwill it sproutוְלֹאand notיַעֲלֶהwill go upבָהּin itכָּלanyעֵשֶׂבgrassכְּמַהְפֵּכַתlike the overturning ofסְדֹםSedomוַעֲמֹרָהand AmorahאַדְמָהAdmahוצבייםand Tzevoyimוּצְבוֹיִםand TzevoyimאֲשֶׁרwhichהָפַךְoverturnedיְהוָהHashemבְּאַפּוֹin His angerוּבַחֲמָתוֹ׃and in His wrath

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְאָמְרוּand they will sayכָּלallהַגּוֹיִםthe nationsעַלforמֶהwhatעָשָׂהdidיְהוָהHashemכָּכָהthusלָאָרֶץto the landהַזֹּאתthisמֶהwhatחֳרִיis the heat ofהָאַףthe angerהַגָּדוֹלgreatהַזֶּה׃this

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְאָמְרוּAnd they will sayעַלbecauseאֲשֶׁרthatעָזְבוּthey abandonedאֶת—בְּרִיתthe covenant ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיGod ofאֲבֹתָםtheir fathersאֲשֶׁרwhichכָּרַתHe sealedעִמָּםwith themבְּהוֹצִיאוֹwhen He took outאֹתָםthemמֵאֶרֶץfrom the land ofמִצְרָיִם׃Mitzrayim

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיֵּלְכוּand they wentוַיַּעַבְדוּand they servedאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִיםothersוַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּוּand they prostratedלָהֶםto themאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲשֶׁרwhomלֹאnotיְדָעוּםthey knew themוְלֹאand notחָלַקHe allottedלָהֶם׃to them

רַשִׁ״י

לאThey knew notידעם.themלֹאnotיָדְעוּdid they recognizeבָהֶםin themגְּבוּרַתthe power ofאֱלֹהוּת:divinity

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notחלקHe apportionedלהם.to themלֹאnotנְתָנָםdid He give themלְחֶלְקָם;for their portionוְאֻנְקְלוֹסand Onkelosתִּרְגֵּםtranslated"וְלָא"and notאוֹטִיבָאdid they do goodלְהוֹן",to them"לֹאnotהֵטִיבוּdid they do goodלָהֶםto themשׁוּםanyטוֹבָה;goodnessוְלָשׁוֹןand the expressionלֹאnotחָלַקdid he apportion—אוֹתוֹthatאֱלוֹהַּgodשֶׁבָּחֲרוּwhich they choseלָהֶםfor themselvesלֹאnotחָלַקdid he apportionלָהֶםto themשׁוּםanyנַחֲלָהinheritanceוְשׁוּםand anyחֵלֶק:portion

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַיִּחַרAnd was kindledאַףthe anger ofיְהוָהHashemבָּאָרֶץagainst the landהַהִואthatלְהָבִיאto bringעָלֶיהָupon itאֶת—כָּלallהַקְּלָלָהthe curseהַכְּתוּבָהthat is writtenבַּסֵּפֶרin the bookהַזֶּה׃this

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיִּתְּשֵׁםAnd He uprooted themיְהוָהHashemמֵעַלfrom uponאַדְמָתָםtheir landבְּאַףwith angerוּבְחֵמָהand with wrathוּבְקֶצֶףand with furyגָּדוֹלgreatוַיַּשְׁלִכֵםand He cast themאֶלtoאֶרֶץa landאַחֶרֶתanotherכַּיּוֹםas this dayהַזֶּה׃·

רַשִׁ״י

ויתשםAnd He cast themה'.Hashemכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its Targum"וְטַלְטְלִינוּן",and He exiled themוְכֵןand similarly"הִנְנִיbehold I amנֹתְשָׁםcasting them outמֵעַלfrom uponאַדְמָתָם"their landירמיהוYirmeyahuי"בtwelve:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

הַנִּסְתָּרֹתThe hidden thingsלַיהוָהare for Hashemאֱלֹהֵינוּour Godוְהַנִּגְלֹתand the revealed thingsלָנוּare for usוּלְבָנֵינוּand for our childrenעַדuntilעוֹלָםeternityלַעֲשׂוֹתto performאֶת—כָּלallדִּבְרֵיthe words ofהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahהַזֹּאת׃this

רַשִׁ״י

הנסתרתThe hidden thingsלה'are to Hashemאלהינו.our Godוְאִםand ifתֹּאמְרוּyou will sayמַהwhatבְּיָדֵנוּis in our handלַעֲשׂוֹת?to doאַתָּהYouמַעֲנִישׁpunishאֶת—הָרַבִּיםthe manyעַלforהִרְהוּרֵיthe thoughts ofהַיָּחִיד,the individualשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"פֶּןlestיֵשׁthere isבָּכֶםamong youאִישׁa manוְגוֹ'",and so onוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthat"וְרָאוּand they will seeאֶת—מַכּוֹתthe plagues ofהָאָרֶץthe landהַהִוא",thatוַהֲלֹאbut is it notאֵיןthere is noאָדָםmanיוֹדֵעַwho knowsטְמוּנוֹתָיוthe secrets ofשֶׁלofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowאֵיןnotאֲנִיIמַעֲנִישׁpunishאֶתְכֶםyouעַלforהַנִּסְתָּרוֹת,the hidden thingsשֶׁהֵןfor they areלַה'to Hashemאֱלֹהֵינוּ,our Godוְהוּאand Heיִפָּרַעwill exact punishmentמֵאוֹתוֹfrom thatיָחִיד,individualאֲבָלbut"הַנִּגְלוֹתthe revealed thingsלָנוּare to usוּלְבָנֵינוּ"and to our childrenלְבָעֵרto eradicateהָרָעthe evilמִקִּרְבֵּנוּ,from our midstוְאִםand ifלֹאnotנַעֲשֶׂהwe executeדִּיןjudgmentבָּהֶםupon themיֵעָנְשׁוּwill be punishedהָרַבִּים.the manyנָקוּדThere are dotsעַלoverלנוto usולבנינוand to our childrenלִדְרֹשׁto expoundשֶׁאַףthat evenעַל·הַנִּגְלוֹתthe revealed thingsלֹאHe did notעָנַשׁpunishאֶת—הָרַבִּיםthe manyעַדuntilשֶׁעָבְרוּthey crossedאֶת—הַיַּרְדֵּן,the Jordanמִשֶּׁקִּבְּלוּfrom when they acceptedעֲלֵיהֶםupon themselvesאֶת—הַשְּׁבוּעָהthe oathבְּהַרat MountגְּרִזִיםGerizimוּבְהַרand at MountעֵיבָלEbalוְנַעֲשׂוּand they becameעֲרֵבִיםresponsibleזֶהthis oneלָזֶהfor that oneסוטהSotahל"ז;37עי'seeסנהדריןSanhedrinמ"ג43:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah describes how the covenant binds the entire nation and warns of the devastating consequences if they turn to avodah zarah. If the people forsake the covenant, Hashem will bring utter destruction upon their land, leaving it a desolate waste of sulfur and salt like Sodom and Gomorrah, which will prompt future generations and foreign nations to ask why Hashem brought such fierce anger upon the land. The answer will be that they abandoned the covenant of Hashem and served other gods, leading to them being uprooted from their soil in great wrath, while the aliyah concludes by noting that hidden sins belong to Hashem but revealed sins are for us and our children to judge and correct.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is telling us something very deep about how the yetzer hara works. When a person hears the serious warnings of the Torah, the natural reaction should be to tremble and do teshuvah. But the pasuk describes a person who hears all of this and says in his heart, "Shalom yihyeh li", I will be fine, I can follow my own desires and nothing bad will happen to me. Lichoira, how can a person be so blind? The answer is that the yetzer hara convinces us that we are the exception to the rule, that somehow the spiritual laws of cause and effect don't apply to us.

This is the dangerous attitude of "I will follow my own willful heart." We know what Hashem wants from us, we know what the halachah says, but we tell ourselves, "For me, it's different. I have a special situation, I have a weak nature, or I can handle this small aveirah without it affecting my neshama." This self-deception is the "poison weed" the Torah warns about. It starts small, but it slowly detaches a Yid from the covenant, making him feel immune to spiritual reality.

Our avodah is to break through this illusion of immunity. We must realize that every single action we do matters, and there are no free passes in ruchniyus. When we catch ourselves making excuses for why we can compromise on a halachah or a middah, we have to stop and recognize that this is the yetzer hara trying to lull us into a false sense of security.

Today, when you feel tempted to make an exception for yourself on a halachah or a spiritual standard, whether it is in lashon hara, honesty in business, or taking a shortcut in davening, stop and say to yourself: "There are no exceptions. I am part of Hashem's covenant, and my choices today matter completely."