Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, the Torah warns us with extreme severity against the terrible issur of avodah zarah, especially as Klal Yisrael prepares to enter and inherit Eretz Yisrael. We are commanded not to investigate or copy the disgusting ways the goyim served their gods, and we are given the strict prohibition of bal tosif and bal tigra—not to add to or subtract from the mitzvos of Hashem.

The Torah then addresses the dangerous trials of those who try to lead the tzibbur astray. This includes the navi sheker (false prophet) who performs wonders to entice us to serve avodah zarah, the mesis (enticer) who secretly tries to persuade close family or friends to stray, and the tragic case of an ir nidadas—an entire Jewish city that has been led astray into idolatry.

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

כִּיWhenיַכְרִיתwill cut downיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godאֶת—הַגּוֹיִםthe nationsאֲשֶׁרthatאַתָּהyouבָאare comingשָׁמָּהthereלָרֶשֶׁתto drive outאוֹתָםthemמִפָּנֶיךָfrom before youוְיָרַשְׁתָּand you dispossessאֹתָםthemוְיָשַׁבְתָּand you settleבְּאַרְצָם׃in their land

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

הִשָּׁמֶרBewareלְךָfor yourselfפֶּןlestתִּנָּקֵשׁyou be ensnaredאַחֲרֵיהֶםafter themאַחֲרֵיafterהִשָּׁמְדָםtheir destructionמִפָּנֶיךָfrom before youוּפֶןand lestתִּדְרֹשׁyou inquireלֵאלֹהֵיהֶםof their godsלֵאמֹרsayingאֵיכָהhowיַעַבְדוּdid worshipהַגּוֹיִםthe nationsהָאֵלֶּהtheseאֶת—אֱלֹהֵיהֶםtheir godsוְאֶעֱשֶׂהand I will doכֵּןsoגַּםalsoאָנִי׃I

רַשִׁ״י

פןlestתנקש.you be snaredאֻנְקְלוֹסOnkelosתִּרְגֵּםtranslatedלְשׁוֹןan expression ofמוֹקֵשׁ,a snareוַאֲנִיbut Iאוֹמֵרsayשֶׁלֹּאthat notחָשׁhe was concernedלְדַקְדֵּקto examine carefullyבַּלָּשׁוֹן,in the languageשֶׁלֹּאfor notמָצִינוּwe have foundנוּ"ןthe letter Nunבִּלְשׁוֹןin the expression ofיוֹקֵשׁ,snaringוַאֲפִלּוּand evenלַיְסוֹדas a root letterהַנּוֹפֵלthat is omittedמִמֶּנּוּ,from itאֲבָלbutבִּלְשׁוֹןin the expression ofטֵרוּףmovementוְקִשְׁקוּשׁand knockingמָצִינוּwe have foundנוּ"ן,the letter Nun"וְאַרְכֻּבָתֵהּand his kneesדָאthisלְדָאagainst thatנָקְשָׁן"knockedדניאלDanielה'chapter 5;וְאַףand evenזֶהthisאֲנִיIאוֹמֵרsay"פֶּןlestתִּנָּקֵשׁyou runאַחֲרֵיהֶם"after them–פֶּןlestתִּטָּרֵףyou run aboutאַחֲרֵיהֶם,after themלִהְיוֹתto beכָּרוּךְclingingאַחַרafterמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם;their deedsוְכֵןand soתהיליםTehillimק"טchapter 109"יְנַקֵּשׁlet run afterנוֹשֶׁהthe creditorלְכָלafter allאֲשֶׁרthatלוֹ"is his–מְקַלֵּלhe cursesאֶת—הָרָשָׁעthe wicked manלִהְיוֹתto beעָלָיוupon himנוֹשִׁיםcreditorsרַבִּיםmanyוְיִהְיוּand they will beמַחֲזִירִיןgoing aboutוּמִתְנַקְּשִׁיןand runningאַחַרafterמָמוֹנוֹ:his money

רַשִׁ״י

אחריAfterהשמדםtheir destructionמפניך.from before youאַחַרAfterשֶׁתִּרְאֶהthat you seeשֶׁאַשְׁמִידֵםthat I destroy themמִפָּנֶיךָ,from before youיֵשׁthere isלְךָto youלָתֵתto placeלֵבheartמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמָהwhatנִשְׁמְדוּwere destroyedאֵלּוּ,theseמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמַעֲשִׂיםdeedsמְקֻלְקָלִיםcorruptשֶׁבִּידֵיהֶם,that are in their handsאַףalsoאַתָּהyouלֹאnotתַעֲשֶׂהshall doכֵןsoשֶׁלֹּאso that notיָבֹאוּwill comeאֲחֵרִיםothersוְיַשְׁמִידוּךָand destroy youעי'seeספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

איכהHowיעבדו.did they serveלְפִיBecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notעָנַשׁHe punishedעַלforעֲבוֹדָהworshipזָרָהforeignאֶלָּאexceptעַלforזִבּוּחַslaughteringוְקִטּוּרand burning incenseוְנִסּוּךְand pouring libationsוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָאָה,and prostratingכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁכָּתוּבthat is writtenשמותShemosכ"ב22"בִּלְתִּיsaveלַה'unto Hashemלְבַדּוֹ"alone–דְּבָרִיםthingsהַנַּעֲשִׂיםthat are doneלַגָּבוֹהַּ,for the Most Highבָּאit comesוְלִמֶּדְךָand teaches youכָאןhereשֶׁאִםthat ifדַּרְכָּהּthe wayשֶׁלofעֲ"זָidolatryלְעָבְדָהּto worship itבְּדָבָרwith a matterאַחֵר,otherכְּגוֹןsuch asפּוֹעֵרexposing oneselfלִפְעוֹרto Peorוְזוֹרֵקor throwingאֶבֶןa stoneלְמַרְקוּלִיס,to Mercuryזוֹthisהִיאisעֲבוֹדָתוֹits worshipוְחַיָּב,and he is liableאֲבָלbutזִבּוּחַslaughteringוְקִטּוּרand burning incenseוְנִסּוּךְand pouring libationsוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָאָהand prostrating–אֲפִלּוּevenשֶׁלֹּאnotכְדַרְכָּהּin its wayחַיָּבhe is liableסנהדריןSanhedrinס'60:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

לֹאYou shall notתַעֲשֶׂהdoכֵןsoלַיהוָהto Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godכִּיforכָּלeveryתּוֹעֲבַתabomination ofיְהוָהHashemאֲשֶׁרwhichשָׂנֵאHe hatesעָשׂוּthey didלֵאלֹהֵיהֶםfor their godsכִּיforגַםevenאֶת—בְּנֵיהֶםtheir sonsוְאֶתand —בְּנֹתֵיהֶםtheir daughtersיִשְׂרְפוּthey burnבָאֵשׁin the fireלֵאלֹהֵיהֶם׃to their gods

רַשִׁ״י

כיForגםalsoאת—בניהם.their sons"גַּם""also"–לְרַבּוֹתto includeאֶת—אֲבוֹתֵיהֶםtheir fathersוְאִמּוֹתֵיהֶם;and their mothersאָמַרsaidרַבִּיRabbiעֲקִיבָאAkivaאֲנִיIרָאִיתִיsawגוֹיa non-Jewשֶׁכְּפָתוֹwho bound himלְאָבִיוhis fatherלִפְנֵיbeforeכַלְבּוֹhis dogוַאֲכָלוֹand it ate himספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

אֵת—כָּלall ofהַדָּבָרthe matterאֲשֶׁרwhichאָנֹכִיIמְצַוֶּהcommandאֶתְכֶםyouאֹתוֹitתִשְׁמְרוּyou shall safeguardלַעֲשׂוֹתto doלֹאdo notתֹסֵףaddעָלָיוupon itוְלֹאand do notתִגְרַעsubtractמִמֶּנּוּ׃from it

רַשִׁ״י

את—כלall ofהדבר.the matterקַלָּהa light preceptכַּחֲמוּרָהas a grave oneשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

תשמרוYou shall observeלעשות.to doלִתֵּןto placeלֹאa negativeתַעֲשֶׂהcommandmentעַלuponעֲשֵׂהa positive commandmentהָאֲמוּרִיםthat are statedבַּפָּרָשָׁה,in the sectionשֶׁכָּלfor everyהִשָּׁמֶרbewareלְשׁוֹןis a term ofלֹאa negativeתַעֲשֶׂהcommandmentהוּא,itאֶלָּאexceptשֶׁאֵיןthat they do notלוֹקִיןreceive lashesעַלforהִשָּׁמֶרa bewareשֶׁלofעֲשֵׂהa positive commandmentמכותlashes ofי"גthirty-nine:

רַשִׁ״י

לאDo notתסףaddעליו.upon itחֲמִשָּׁהfiveטֹטָפוֹת,tefillin compartmentsחֲמִשָּׁהfiveמִינִיןspeciesבַּלּוּלָב,in the lulavאַרְבַּעfourבְּרָכוֹתblessingsלְבִרְכַּתfor the blessing ofכֹּהֲנִיםKohanimספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

כִּיIfיָקוּםthere arisesבְּקִרְבְּךָin your midstנָבִיאa prophetאוֹorחֹלֵםa dreamer ofחֲלוֹםa dreamוְנָתַןand he givesאֵלֶיךָto youאוֹתa signאוֹorמוֹפֵת׃a wonder

רַשִׁ״י

ונתןAnd he givethאליךto theeאות.a signבַּשָּׁמַיִם,in the heavensכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is saidבְּגִדְעוֹןconcerning GidonשופטיםShoftimו'six"וְעָשִׂיתָthen showלִּיmeאוֹת"a signוְאוֹמֵרand it says"יְהִיlet it beנָאpleaseחֹרֶבdryאֶלuponהַגִּזָּה"the fleeceוְגוֹ':etcetera

רַשִׁ״י

אוorמופת.a wonderבָּאָרֶץ,on the earthאַעַ"פִּeven thoughכֵן·לֹאnotתִשְׁמַעyou shall hearkenלוֹ,to himוְאִםand ifתֹּאמַרyou will sayמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמָהwhatנוֹתֵןgivesלוֹto himהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One Blessed-be-Heמֶמְשָׁלָהpowerלַעֲשׂוֹתto performאוֹת?a signכיforמנסהtestsה'Hashemאלהיכםyour Godאתכםyouספרי;Sifreiעי'seeסנהדריןSanhedrinצ'90:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וּבָאand comesהָאוֹתthe signוְהַמּוֹפֵתor the wonderאֲשֶׁרwhichדִּבֶּרhe spokeאֵלֶיךָto youלֵאמֹרsayingנֵלְכָהlet us goאַחֲרֵיafterאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִיםotherאֲשֶׁרwhomלֹאnotיְדַעְתָּםyou knew themוְנָעָבְדֵם׃and let us worship them

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

לֹאdo notתִשְׁמַעlistenאֶלtoדִּבְרֵיthe words ofהַנָּבִיאthe prophetהַהוּאthatאוֹorאֶלtoחוֹלֵםthe dreamer ofהַחֲלוֹםthe dreamהַהוּאthatכִּיforמְנַסֶּהis testingיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godאֶתְכֶםyouלָדַעַתto knowהֲיִשְׁכֶםwhether you areאֹהֲבִיםlovingאֶת—יְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godבְּכָלwith allלְבַבְכֶםyour heartוּבְכָלand with allנַפְשְׁכֶם׃your soul

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

אַחֲרֵיAfterיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godתֵּלֵכוּyou shall walkוְאֹתוֹand Himתִירָאוּyou shall fearוְאֶתand —מִצְוֺתָיוHis commandmentsתִּשְׁמֹרוּyou shall keepוּבְקֹלוֹand to His voiceתִשְׁמָעוּyou shall hearkenוְאֹתוֹand Himתַעֲבֹדוּyou shall serveוּבוֹand to Himתִדְבָּקוּן׃you shall cleave

רַשִׁ״י

ואתand —מצותיוHis commandmentsתשמרו.you shall keepתּוֹרַתthe Torah ofמֹשֶׁה:Moshe

רַשִׁ״י

ובקלוAnd to His voiceתשמעו.you shall obeyבְּקוֹלto the voice ofהַנְּבִיאִים:the prophets

רַשִׁ״י

ואתוand Himתעבדו.you shall serveבְּמִקְדָּשׁוֹin His SanctuaryספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ובוand to Himתדבקון.you shall cleaveהִדַּבֵּקcleaveבִּדְרָכָיוto His ways–גְּמֹלbestowחֲסָדִים,kindnessesקְבֹרburyמֵתִים,the deadבַּקֵּרvisitחוֹלִים,the sickכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁעָשָׂהdidהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy OneסוטהSotahי"ד14:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְהַנָּבִיאAnd that prophetהַהוּאthe sameאוֹorחֹלֵםdreamer ofהַחֲלוֹםthe dreamהַהוּאthe sameיוּמָתshall be put to deathכִּיbecauseדִבֶּרhe spokeסָרָהrebellionעַלagainstיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour GodהַמּוֹצִיאWho brought outאֶתְכֶםyouמֵאֶרֶץfrom the land ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimוְהַפֹּדְךָand Who redeemed youמִבֵּיתfrom the house ofעֲבָדִיםbondageלְהַדִּיחֲךָto stray youמִןfromהַדֶּרֶךְthe pathאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוְּךָcommanded youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלָלֶכֶתto walkבָּהּin itוּבִעַרְתָּand you shall sweep outהָרָעthe evilמִקִּרְבֶּךָ׃from your midst

רַשִׁ״י

סרה.rebellionדָּבָרa matterהַמּוּסָרthat is removedמִןfromהָעוֹלָם,the worldשֶׁלֹּאwhich notהָיָהexistedוְלֹאand notנִבְרָאwas createdוְלֹאand notצִוִּיתִיוI commanded himלְדַבֵּרto speakכֵּן,soדישטו"רנוראdetournureבְּלַעַז:in foreign tongue

רַשִׁ״י

והפדךand Who redeemed youמביתfrom the house ofעבדים.servantsאֲפִלּוּeven ifאֵיןthere is notלוֹto Himעָלֶיךָupon youאֶלָּאexceptשֶׁפְּדָאֲךָthat He redeemed you—דַּיּוֹit is sufficient for HimספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

כִּיIfיְסִיתְךָentices youאָחִיךָyour brotherבֶןthe son ofאִמֶּךָyour motherאוֹorבִנְךָyour sonאוֹorבִתְּךָyour daughterאוֹorאֵשֶׁתthe wife ofחֵיקֶךָyour bosomאוֹorרֵעֲךָyour friendאֲשֶׁרwho isכְּנַפְשְׁךָlike your soulבַּסֵּתֶרin secretלֵאמֹרsayingנֵלְכָהlet us goוְנַעַבְדָהand let us worshipאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִיםotherאֲשֶׁרwhomלֹאnotיָדַעְתָּyou have knownאַתָּהyouוַאֲבֹתֶיךָ׃and your ancestors

רַשִׁ״י

כיIfיסיתך.he entice theeאֵיןthere is noהֲסָתָהenticementאֶלָּאbutגֵּרוּי,incitementשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidש"מShmuel Alephכ"וtwenty sixאִםifה'Hashemהֱסִיתְךָhas stirred thee upבִּי,against meאנסיטר"אinciterבְּלַעַז,in foreign tongueשֶׁמַּשִּׂיאוֹthat he induces himלַעֲשׂוֹתto doכֵּן:so

רַשִׁ״י

אחיך.your brotherמֵאָב:from the father

רַשִׁ״י

אוֹorבןthe son ofאמך.your motherמֵאֵם:from a mother

רַשִׁ״י

חיקך.thy bosomהַשּׁוֹכֶבֶתshe who liesבְּחֵיקְךָin thy bosomוּמְחֻקָּהand is attachedבְּךָ,to youאפקיי"דאafficheeבְּלַעַז,in Old Frenchוְכֵןand similarlyיחזקאלYechezkelמ"גforty three,"וּמֵחֵיקand from the bottomהָאָרֶץ"of the ground–מִיסוֹדfrom the foundationהַתָּקוּעַthat is sunkבָּאָרֶץ:in the ground

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhoכנפשך.is as your soulזֶהthisאָבִיךָ,is your fatherפֵּרֵשׁspecifiedלְךָto youהַכָּתוּבthe verseאֶת—הַחֲבִיבִיןthose who are dearלְךָ,to youקַ"וָhow much more soלַאֲחֵרִים:for others

רַשִׁ״י

בסתר.In secretדִּבֵּרspokeהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureבַּהוֹוֶה,of what usually occursשֶׁאֵיןfor there are notדִּבְרֵיthe words ofמֵסִיתan enticerאֶלָּאexceptבַּסֵּתֶר,in secretוְכֵןand soשְׁלֹמֹהShlomoהוּאheאוֹמֵרsaysמשליMishleiז'seven"בְּנֶשֶׁףIn the twilightבְּעֶרֶבin the evening ofיוֹםthe dayבְּאִישׁוֹןin the blackness ofלַיְלָהnightוַאֲפֵלָה":and darkness

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhichלאnotידעתyou knewאתהyouואבתיך.and your fathersדָּבָרmatterזֶהthisגְּנַאיdisgraceגָּדוֹלgreatהוּאit isלְךָfor you–שֶׁאַףfor evenהָאֻמּוֹתthe nationsאֵיןdo notמַנִּיחִיןabandonמַהwhatשֶּׁמָּסְרוּthat handed downלָהֶםto themאֲבוֹתֵיהֶם,their fathersוְזֶהand this oneאוֹמֵרsaysלְךָto youעֲזֹבabandonמַהwhatשֶּׁמָּסְרוּthat handed downלְךָto youאֲבוֹתֶיךָyour fathersספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

מֵאֱלֹהֵיfrom the gods ofהָעַמִּיםthe peoplesאֲשֶׁרwhoסְבִיבֹתֵיכֶםare around youהַקְּרֹבִיםthose nearאֵלֶיךָto youאוֹorהָרְחֹקִיםthose farמִמֶּךָּfrom youמִקְצֵהfrom the end ofהָאָרֶץthe earthוְעַדand untilקְצֵהthe end ofהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

הקרביםThose nearאליךto youאוorהרחקים.those farלָמָּהwhyפֵּרֵטdid it specifyקְרוֹבִיםnear onesוּרְחוֹקִים?and far onesאֶלָּאratherכָּךְsoאָמַרsaidהַכָּתוּב:the verseמִטִּיבָןfrom the natureשֶׁלofקְרוֹבִיםnear onesאַתָּהyouלָמֵדlearnטִיבָןthe natureשֶׁלofרְחוֹקִים,far onesכְּשֵׁםjust asשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notמַמָּשׁsubstanceבַּקְּרוֹבִים,in the near onesכָּךְsoאֵיןthere is notמַמָּשׁsubstanceבָּרְחוֹקִיםin the far onesסנהדריןSanhedrinס"אanother version:

רַשִׁ״י

מקצהFrom the end ofהארץ.the earthזוֹthisחַמָּהthe sunוּלְבָנָהand the moonוּצְבָאand the host ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavenשֶׁהֵןwhich theyמְהַלְּכִיןtravelמִסּוֹףfrom the end ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldוְעַדand untilסוֹפוֹits endספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

לֹאyou shall notתֹאבֶהconsentלוֹto himוְלֹאand you shall notתִשְׁמַעlistenאֵלָיוto himוְלֹאand shall notתָחוֹסpityעֵינְךָyour eyeעָלָיוupon himוְלֹאand you shall notתַחְמֹלspareוְלֹאand you shall notתְכַסֶּהconcealעָלָיו׃about him

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou shall notתאבהconsentלו.to himלֹאdo notתְהֵאbeתָאֵבdesiringלוֹ,himלֹאdo notתֶּאֱהָבֶנּוּ,love himלְפִיbecauseשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidויקראVayikraי"ט19וְאָהַבְתָּand you shall loveלְרֵעֲךָyour fellowכָּמוֹךָas yourself–אֶת—זֶהthis oneלֹאyou shall notתֶאֱהַב:love

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd you shall notתשמעhearkenאליו.unto himבְּהִתְחַנְּנוֹwhen he entreatsעַלforנַפְשׁוֹhis lifeלִמְחֹלto forgiveלוֹ,himלְפִיbecauseשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidשמותShemosכ"ג23עָזֹבyou shall surelyתַּעֲזֹבhelpעִמּוֹwith him–לָזֶהfor this oneלֹאyou shall notתַעֲזֹב:help

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notתחוסshall spareעינךyour eyeעליו.over himלְפִיBecauseשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidויקראVayikraי"ט19לֹאnotתַעֲמֹדshall you standעַלbyדַּםthe blood ofרֵעֶךָyour fellow–עַלuponזֶהthis oneלֹאdo notתָחֹס:spare

רַשִׁ״י

ולאand notתחמל.shalt thou pityלֹאdo notתַהֲפֹךְturn overבִּזְכוּתוֹ:in his favor

רַשִׁ״י

ולאand you shall notתכסהconcealעליו.over himאִםifאַתָּהyouיוֹדֵעַknowלוֹfor himחוֹבָהguiltאֵינְךָyou are notרַשַּׁאיpermittedלִשְׁתֹּקto remain silentספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

כִּיbutהָרֹגsurelyתַּהַרְגֶנּוּyou shall kill himיָדְךָyour handתִּהְיֶהshall beבּוֹagainst himבָרִאשׁוֹנָהfirstלַהֲמִיתוֹto put him to deathוְיַדand the hand ofכָּלallהָעָםthe peopleבָּאַחֲרֹנָה׃afterward

רַשִׁ״י

כיButהרגsurelyתהרגנו.you shall kill himאִםifיָצָאhe went outמִבֵּ"דִּfrom the courtזַכַּאיacquittedהַחֲזִירֵהוּbring him backלְחוֹבָה,for liabilityיָצָאhe went outמִבֵּיתfrom the house ofדִּיןjudgmentחַיָּבguiltyאַלdo notתַּחֲזִירֵהוּbring him backלִזְכוּתfor acquittalשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

ידךyour handתהיהshall beבוupon himבראשונה.firstמִצְוָהit is a mitzvahבְּיַדby the hand ofהַנִּסָּתthe one enticedלַהֲמִיתוֹ.to put him to deathלֹאif notמֵתhe diedבְּיָדוֹ,by his handיָמוּתhe shall dieבְּיַדby the hand ofאֲחֵרִים,othersשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוידand the hand ofכלall ofהעםthe peopleוגו'etceteraעי'seeספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וּסְקַלְתּוֹand you shall stone himבָאֲבָנִיםwith stonesוָמֵתand he shall dieכִּיbecauseבִקֵּשׁhe soughtלְהַדִּיחֲךָto make you strayמֵעַלfromיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour GodהַמּוֹצִיאֲךָWho brought you outמֵאֶרֶץfrom the land ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimמִבֵּיתfrom the house ofעֲבָדִים׃bondage

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְכָלAnd allיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelיִשְׁמְעוּwill hearוְיִרָאוּןand will fearוְלֹאand notיוֹסִפוּthey will continueלַעֲשׂוֹתto doכַּדָּבָרlike matterהָרָעthe evilהַזֶּהthisבְּקִרְבֶּךָ׃in your midst

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

כִּיIfתִשְׁמַעyou hearבְּאַחַתin one ofעָרֶיךָyour citiesאֲשֶׁרwhichיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godנֹתֵןis givingלְךָto youלָשֶׁבֶתto dwellשָׁםthereלֵאמֹר׃saying

רַשִׁ״י

לשבתto dwellשם.thereפְּרָטexcludingלִירוּשָׁלַיִםYerushalayimשֶׁלֹּאwhich notנִתְּנָהwas givenלְדִירָהfor a dwellingשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

כיIfתשמע,you shall hearלאמר.sayingאוֹמְרִיםpeople sayingכֵּןthusיָצְאוּthey have gone outוְגוֹ'etcetera–

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

יָצְאוּThere have gone outאֲנָשִׁיםmenבְּנֵיsons ofבְלִיַּעַלlawlessnessמִקִּרְבֶּךָfrom your midstוַיַּדִּיחוּand they subvertedאֶת—יֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofעִירָםtheir cityלֵאמֹרsayingנֵלְכָהlet us goוְנַעַבְדָהand let us worshipאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִיםotherאֲשֶׁרwhomלֹאnotיְדַעְתֶּם׃you have known

רַשִׁ״י

אנשים.menוְלֹאand notנָשִׁים:women

רַשִׁ״י

בניsons ofבליעל.worthlessnessבְּלִיwithoutעֹל,a yokeשֶׁפָּרְקוּwho cast offעֻלּוֹthe yoke ofשֶׁלofמָקוֹםthe Omnipresentשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

ישביthe inhabitants ofעירם.their cityוְלֹאand notיוֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofעִירa cityאַחֶרֶת,anotherמִכָּאןfrom hereאָמְרוּthey saidאֵיןis notנַעֲשֵׂיתmadeעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתcondemnedעַדunlessשֶׁיַּדִּיחוּהָthat they lead astrayאֲנָשִׁיםmenוְעַדand unlessשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they areמַדִּיחֶיהָits seducersמִתּוֹכָהּfrom its midstסנהדריןSanhedrinקי"א111b:

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְדָרַשְׁתָּand you shall investigateוְחָקַרְתָּand you shall inquireוְשָׁאַלְתָּand you shall interrogateהֵיטֵבthoroughlyוְהִנֵּהand beholdאֱמֶתit is trueנָכוֹןestablished isהַדָּבָרthe matterנֶעֶשְׂתָהwas perpetratedהַתּוֹעֵבָהthe abominationהַזֹּאתthisבְּקִרְבֶּךָ׃in your midst

רַשִׁ״י

ודרשתAnd you shall inquireוחקרתand you shall searchושאלתand you shall askהיטב.diligentlyמִכָּאןfrom hereלָמְדוּthey learnedשֶׁבַעsevenחֲקִירוֹתinvestigationsמֵרִבּוּיfrom the multiplicityהַמִּקְרָא,of the verseכָּאןhereיֵשׁthere areג'three–דְּרִישָׁהinquiryוַחֲקִירָהand searchוְהֵיטֵב,and diligentlyוְשָׁאַלְתָּand you shall askאֵינוֹis notמִןfromהַמִּנְיָן,the countוּמִמֶּנּוּand from itלָמְדוּthey learnedבְּדִיקוֹתexaminations–וּבְמָקוֹםand in a placeאַחֵרotherהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysדבריםDevarimי"ט19"וְדָרְשׁוּand they shall inquireהַשּׁוֹפְטִיםthe judgesהֵיטֵב",diligentlyוְעוֹדand furthermoreבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאַחֵרotherהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysשםthereי"ז17"וְדָרַשְׁתָּand you shall inquireהֵיטֵב",diligentlyלָמְדוּthey learned'הֵיטֵב'diligently'הֵיטֵב'diligentlyלִגְזֵרָהfor an analogyשָׁוָה,equalלִתֵּןto applyהָאָמוּרthat which is saidשֶׁלofזֶהthisבָּזֶהin thisסנהדריןSanhedrinמ'40:

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

הַכֵּהyou shall surely smiteתַכֶּהsmiteאֶת—יֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofהָעִירthe cityההואthatהַהִיאthe sameלְפִיby the edge ofחָרֶבthe swordהַחֲרֵםdestroying utterlyאֹתָהּitוְאֶתand —כָּלallאֲשֶׁרthat isבָּהּin itוְאֶתand —בְּהֶמְתָּהּits cattleלְפִיby the edge ofחָרֶב׃the sword

רַשִׁ״י

הכהsmiteתכה.you shall surely smiteאִםifאֵינְךָyou are notיָכוֹלableלַהֲמִיתָםto put them to deathבַּמִּיתָהwith the death penaltyהַכְּתוּבָהthat is writtenבָּהֶם,regarding themהֲמִיתֵםput them to deathבְּאַחֶרֶתwith anotherספרי;SifreiבבאBavaמציעאMetziaל"אanother explanation:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וְאֶתand —כָּלall ofשְׁלָלָהּits spoilתִּקְבֹּץyou shall gatherאֶלintoתּוֹךְthe midst ofרְחֹבָהּits squareוְשָׂרַפְתָּand you shall burnבָאֵשׁwith fireאֶת—הָעִירthe cityוְאֶתand —כָּלall ofשְׁלָלָהּits spoilכָּלִילentirelyלַיהוָהto Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godוְהָיְתָהand it shall beתֵּלa ruinעוֹלָםforeverלֹאit shall notתִבָּנֶהbe rebuiltעוֹד׃anymore

רַשִׁ״י

לה'for Hashemאלהיך.your Godלִשְׁמוֹfor His nameוּבִשְׁבִילוֹ:and for His sake

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וְלֹאAnd notיִדְבַּקshall clingבְּיָדְךָto your handמְאוּמָהanythingמִןfromהַחֵרֶםthe banned propertyלְמַעַןso thatיָשׁוּבwill turn backיְהוָהHashemמֵחֲרוֹןfrom the fierceness ofאַפּוֹHis angerוְנָתַןand grantלְךָto youרַחֲמִיםmercyוְרִחַמְךָand have mercy on youוְהִרְבֶּךָand multiply youכַּאֲשֶׁרasנִשְׁבַּעHe sworeלַאֲבֹתֶיךָ׃to your forefathers

רַשִׁ״י

למעןso thatישובHe will turnה'Hashemמחרוןfrom the fierceness ofאפו.His wrathשֶׁכָּלfor allזְמַןthe timeשֶׁעֲ"זָthat idol worshipבָעוֹלָםis in the worldחֲרוֹןfierceאַףwrathבָּעוֹלָםis in the worldספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

כִּיforתִשְׁמַעyou will heedבְּקוֹלthe voice ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלִשְׁמֹרto keepאֶת—כָּלall ofמִצְוֺתָיוHis commandmentsאֲשֶׁרwhichאָנֹכִיIמְצַוְּךָcommand youהַיּוֹםtodayלַעֲשׂוֹתto doהַיָּשָׁרwhat is rightבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָ׃your God

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the warning not to copy the abominable practices of the nations we dispossess, establishing the rule not to add to or subtract from Hashem's mitzvos. We are commanded to ignore and put to death any false prophet who uses signs or wonders to entice us toward avodah zarah, as Hashem is merely testing our loyalty. Similarly, if a close relative or friend acts as a mesis to secretly entice someone to idolatry, we must show them no mercy, expose them, and be the first to stone them. Finally, the Torah outlines the severe halachos of an ir nidadas, where an entire city led astray by wicked men must be completely destroyed, its inhabitants and cattle put to the sword, and all its spoil burned as a holocaust to Hashem, never to be rebuilt, so that Hashem may show us compassion and bless us.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah warns us in this Aliyah about the subtle danger of looking at the ways of the world and saying, "How did those nations worship... I too will follow those practices." Lichoira, we would think this only applies to actual avodah zarah. But the deeper chiddush here is about the desire to copy the styles, the values, and the culture of the surrounding world. The Torah is telling us that we cannot take the holy, pure connection we have with Hashem and try to express it through the lenses and methods of the street. We have our own mesorah, our own derech, and we do not need to look outside for inspiration.

This is especially true when the pressure comes from those closest to us, or when the outside world shows us "signs and wonders", great material success, sophisticated philosophies, or exciting trends. The Torah says, "do not heed the words... for Hashem your God is testing you." Every generation has its own nisayon of being attracted to the modern-day equivalents of these foreign ways. Our avodah is to realize that these attractions are just a test to see if we will hold fast to the pure, unadulterated truth of the Torah without adding or subtracting a single thing.

Today, when you are exposed to the lifestyle, the entertainment, or the values of the secular world, do not try to kosher them or bring them into your home. Make a conscious decision to keep your home and your mind a sanctuary of pure Torah values, untouched by the trends of the street.