Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, Moshe Rabbeinu continues his powerful words of mussar to Klal Yisrael, urging them to hold fast to the Torah and mitzvos. He reminds them that keeping the chukim and mishpatim is our true wisdom in the eyes of the nations, who will see how close Hashem is to us whenever we call out to Him. Moshe warns the people with a severe warning never to forget the Ma'amad Har Sinai, where they stood at the foot of the burning mountain and heard the voice of Hashem speaking from the fire without seeing any physical form.

Because they saw no physical image at Sinai, Moshe warns them with the utmost caution against falling into the trap of avodah zarah, whether by making physical images of any creature or by bowing down to the sun, moon, and stars. He reminds them that they were pulled out of the iron furnace of Mitzrayim to be Hashem's special nation, and warns them of the bitter galus and churban that will follow if they ever turn to idols in the land of Eretz Yisrael.

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

רְאֵהSeeלִמַּדְתִּיI have taughtאֶתְכֶםyouחֻקִּיםdecreesוּמִשְׁפָּטִיםand lawsכַּאֲשֶׁרasצִוַּנִיcommanded meיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהָיmy Godלַעֲשׂוֹתto doכֵּןsoבְּקֶרֶבin the midst ofהָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרthatאַתֶּםyouבָּאִיםare comingשָׁמָּהthereלְרִשְׁתָּהּ׃to possess it

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּםAnd you shall guardוַעֲשִׂיתֶםand you shall doכִּיforהִואit isחָכְמַתְכֶםyour wisdomוּבִינַתְכֶםand your understandingלְעֵינֵיin the eyes ofהָעַמִּיםthe nationsאֲשֶׁרwhoיִשְׁמְעוּןwill hearאֵת—כָּלall ofהַחֻקִּיםthe statutesהָאֵלֶּהtheseוְאָמְרוּand they will sayרַקsurelyעַםa peopleחָכָםwiseוְנָבוֹןand understandingהַגּוֹיis the nationהַגָּדוֹלthe greatהַזֶּה׃this

רַשִׁ״י

ושמרתם.And you shall watchזוֹthisמִשְׁנָה:is study

רַשִׁ״י

ועשיתם.and you shall doכְּמַשְׁמָעוֹaccording to its meaningשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

כיforהואit isחכמתכםyour wisdomובינתכםand your understandingוגו'.etc.בָּזֹאתthrough thisתֵּחָשְׁבוּyou will be consideredחֲכָמִיםwiseוּנְבוֹנִיםand understandingלְעֵינֵיin the eyes ofהָעַמִּים:the nations

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

כִּיForמִיwhoגוֹיis a nationגָּדוֹלgreatאֲשֶׁרthatלוֹhasאֱלֹהִיםGodקְרֹבִיםcloseאֵלָיוto itכַּיהוָהlike Hashemאֱלֹהֵינוּour Godבְּכָּלin allקָרְאֵנוּour callingאֵלָיו׃to Him

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וּמִיAnd whoגּוֹיis a nationגָּדוֹלgreatאֲשֶׁרthatלוֹhasחֻקִּיםstatutesוּמִשְׁפָּטִיםand ordinancesצַדִּיקִםrighteousכְּכֹלlike all ofהַתּוֹרָהthe TorahהַזֹּאתthisאֲשֶׁרwhichאָנֹכִיIנֹתֵןplaceלִפְנֵיכֶםbefore youהַיּוֹם׃today

רַשִׁ״י

חקיםStatutesומשפטיםand judgmentsצדיקם.righteousהֲגוּנִיםproperוּמְקֻבָּלִים:and acceptable

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

רַקOnlyהִשָּׁמֶרguardלְךָyourselfוּשְׁמֹרand watchנַפְשְׁךָyour soulמְאֹדexceedinglyפֶּןlestתִּשְׁכַּחyou forgetאֶת—הַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsאֲשֶׁרthatרָאוּsawעֵינֶיךָyour eyesוּפֶןand lestיָסוּרוּthey departמִלְּבָבְךָfrom your heartכֹּלallיְמֵיthe days ofחַיֶּיךָyour lifeוְהוֹדַעְתָּםand make them knownלְבָנֶיךָto your childrenוְלִבְנֵיand to the children ofבָנֶיךָ׃your children

רַשִׁ״י

רקOnlyהשמרtake heedלךto yourself…פןlestתשכחyou forgetאת—הדברים.the thingsאָז,thenכְּשֶׁלֹּאwhen notתִשְׁכְּחוּyou forgetאוֹתָםthemוְתַעֲשׂוּםand you do themעַלaccording toאֲמִתָּתָם,their truthתֵּחָשְׁבוּyou will be consideredחֲכָמִיםwiseוּנְבוֹנִים,and understandingוְאִםand ifתְּעַוְּתוּyou distortאוֹתָםthemמִתּוֹךְout ofשִׁכְחָה,forgetfulnessתֵּחָשְׁבוּyou will be consideredשׁוֹטִים:foolish

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

יוֹםThe dayאֲשֶׁרthatעָמַדְתָּyou stoodלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבְּחֹרֵבat Chorevבֶּאֱמֹרwhen sayingיְהוָהHashemאֵלַיto meהַקְהֶלAssembleלִיfor Meאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleוְאַשְׁמִעֵםand I will let them hearאֶת—דְּבָרָיMy wordsאֲשֶׁרso thatיִלְמְדוּןthey may learnלְיִרְאָהto fearאֹתִיMeכָּלallהַיָּמִיםthe daysאֲשֶׁרthatהֵםtheyחַיִּיםare aliveעַלuponהָאֲדָמָהthe earthוְאֶתand —בְּנֵיהֶםtheir childrenיְלַמֵּדוּן׃they shall teach

רַשִׁ״י

יוםThe dayאשרthatעמדת.you stoodמוּסָבis connectedעַלtoמִקְרָאthe verseשֶׁלְּמַעְלָהthat is aboveמִמֶּנּוּitאשרwhichראוsawעיניךyour eyes–יוםon the dayאשרthatעמדתyou stoodבחרבat Chorevאֲשֶׁרwhereרָאִיתָyou sawהַקּוֹלוֹתthe thunderוְאֶתand —הַלַּפִּידִים:the lightning

רַשִׁ״י

יִלְמְדוּן.they shall learnיֵלְפוּןthey shall learn–לְעַצְמָם:for themselves

רַשִׁ״י

יְלַמֵּדוּן.they shall teachיְאַלְּפוּןthey shall teach–לַאֲחֵרִים:to others

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַתִּקְרְבוּןAnd you approachedוַתַּעַמְדוּןand you stoodתַּחַתunderהָהָרthe mountainוְהָהָרand the mountainבֹּעֵרwas burningבָּאֵשׁwith fireעַדuntilלֵבthe heart ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensחֹשֶׁךְdarknessעָנָןcloudוַעֲרָפֶל׃and thick darkness

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeיְהוָהHashemאֲלֵיכֶםto youמִתּוֹךְfrom the midst ofהָאֵשׁthe fireקוֹלa sound ofדְּבָרִיםwordsאַתֶּםyouשֹׁמְעִיםwere hearingוּתְמוּנָהbut a likenessאֵינְכֶםyou did notרֹאִיםseeזוּלָתִיexceptקוֹל׃a voice

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיַּגֵּדAnd He declaredלָכֶםto youאֶת—בְּרִיתוֹHis covenantאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוָּהHe commandedאֶתְכֶםyouלַעֲשׂוֹתto performעֲשֶׂרֶתthe tenהַדְּבָרִיםcommandmentsוַיִּכְתְּבֵםand He wrote themעַלuponשְׁנֵיtwoלֻחוֹתtablets ofאֲבָנִים׃stone

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וְאֹתִיand meצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemבָּעֵתat the timeהַהִואthatלְלַמֵּדto teachאֶתְכֶםyouחֻקִּיםdecreesוּמִשְׁפָּטִיםand lawsלַעֲשֹׂתְכֶםfor your performingאֹתָםthemבָּאָרֶץin the landאֲשֶׁרthatאַתֶּםyouעֹבְרִיםare crossing overשָׁמָּהthereלְרִשְׁתָּהּ׃to possess it

רַשִׁ״י

ואתיand meצוהcommandedה'Hashemללמדto teachאתכם.youתּוֹרָהthe Torahשֶׁבְּעַלwhich is oralפֶּה:·

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּםAnd you shall guardמְאֹדgreatlyלְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶםfor your soulsכִּיbecauseלֹאnotרְאִיתֶםdid you seeכָּלanyתְּמוּנָהlikenessבְּיוֹםon the dayדִּבֶּרspokeיְהוָהHashemאֲלֵיכֶםto youבְּחֹרֵבat Chorevמִתּוֹךְfrom the midst ofהָאֵשׁ׃the fire

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

פֶּןlestתַּשְׁחִתוּןyou will corruptוַעֲשִׂיתֶםand you makeלָכֶםfor yourselvesפֶּסֶלa carved imageתְּמוּנַתthe likeness ofכָּלanyסָמֶלformתַּבְנִיתthe design ofזָכָרmaleאוֹorנְקֵבָה׃female

רַשִׁ״י

סמל.semelצוּרָה:a form

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

תַּבְנִיתthe form ofכָּלanyבְּהֵמָהanimalאֲשֶׁרthat isבָּאָרֶץon the earthתַּבְנִיתthe form ofכָּלanyצִפּוֹרbirdכָּנָףwingedאֲשֶׁרthatתָּעוּףfliesבַּשָּׁמָיִם׃in the heavens

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

תַּבְנִיתthe form ofכָּלanyרֹמֵשׂcreeping thingבָּאֲדָמָהon the groundתַּבְנִיתthe form ofכָּלanyדָּגָהfishאֲשֶׁרthatבַּמַּיִםis in the watersמִתַּחַתbelowלָאָרֶץ׃the earth

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וּפֶןand lestתִּשָּׂאyou lift upעֵינֶיךָyour eyesהַשָּׁמַיְמָהto the heavensוְרָאִיתָand you seeאֶת—הַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunוְאֶתand —הַיָּרֵחַthe moonוְאֶתand —הַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsכֹּלallצְבָאthe host ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוְנִדַּחְתָּand you be drawnוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתָand bow downלָהֶםto themוַעֲבַדְתָּםand serve themאֲשֶׁרwhichחָלַקallottedיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godאֹתָםthemלְכֹלto allהָעַמִּיםthe peoplesתַּחַתunderכָּלall ofהַשָּׁמָיִם׃the heavens

רַשִׁ״י

ופןand lestתשאyou lift upעיניך.your eyesלְהִסְתַּכֵּלto gazeבַּדָּבָרupon the matterוְלָתֵתand to setלֵבheartלִטְעוֹתto go astrayאַחֲרֵיהֶם:after them

רַשִׁ״י

אשרWhichחלקassignedה'.Hashemלְהָאִירto give lightלָהֶםto themמגילהMegillahט'9;דָּ"אַAnother explanationלֶאֱלוֹהוֹת,as deitiesלֹאHe did notמְנָעָןprevent themמִלִּטְעוֹתfrom strayingאַחֲרֵיהֶםafter themאֶלָּאbutהֶחֱלִיקָםHe made them slipבְּדִבְרֵיwith words ofהַבְלֵיהֶםtheir vanitiesלְטָרְדָםto banish themמִןfromהָעוֹלָם,the worldוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysתהליםTehillimל"ו36"כִּיForהֶחֱלִיקHe made slipאֵלָיוto himבְּעֵינָיוin his eyesלִמְצֹאto findעֲוֹנוֹhis iniquityלִשְׂנֹא"to hateעבודהAvodahזרהZarahנ"ה55:

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְאֶתְכֶםAnd youלָקַחtookיְהוָהHashemוַיּוֹצִאand He brought outאֶתְכֶם— youמִכּוּרfrom the furnace ofהַבַּרְזֶלthe ironמִמִּצְרָיִםfrom Mitzrayimלִהְיוֹתto beלוֹfor Himלְעַםfor a nation ofנַחֲלָהinheritanceכַּיּוֹםas this dayהַזֶּה׃·

רַשִׁ״י

מכור.From a furnaceכּוּרa furnaceהוּאitכְלִיis a vesselשֶׁמְּזַקְּקִיםthat they refineבּוֹin itאֶת—הַזָּהָב:the gold

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיהוָהAnd Hashemהִתְאַנֶּףwas angryבִּיwith meעַלonדִּבְרֵיכֶםyour accountוַיִּשָּׁבַעand sworeלְבִלְתִּיagainstעָבְרִיmy crossingאֶת—הַיַּרְדֵּןthe Jordanוּלְבִלְתִּיand againstבֹאenteringאֶלintoהָאָרֶץthe landהַטּוֹבָהthe goodאֲשֶׁרthatיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godנֹתֵןis givingלְךָto youנַחֲלָה׃as a heritage

רַשִׁ״י

התאנף.He was angryנִתְמַלֵּאhe was filled withרֹגֶז:wrath

רַשִׁ״י

עלOnדבריכם.your wordsעַלonאוֹדוֹתֵיכֶם,your accountעַלonעִסְקֵיכֶם:your doings

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

כִּיForאָנֹכִיIמֵתam dyingבָּאָרֶץin the landהַזֹּאתthisאֵינֶנִּיI am notעֹבֵרcrossingאֶת—הַיַּרְדֵּןthe Yardenוְאַתֶּםbut youעֹבְרִיםare crossingוִירִשְׁתֶּםand you shall possessאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landהַטּוֹבָהgoodהַזֹּאת׃this

רַשִׁ״י

כיForאנכיIמתmust dieוגו'etcאינניI am notעבר.passing overמֵאַחַרSinceשֶׁמֵּתthat he diesמֵהֵיכָןfrom whereיַעֲבֹר?would he pass overאֶלָּאratherאַףevenעַצְמוֹתַיmy bonesאֵינָםare notעוֹבְרִיםpassing overספריSifreiבמדברBamidbarכ"ז27:

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

הִשָּׁמְרוּGuard yourselvesלָכֶם·פֶּןlestתִּשְׁכְּחוּyou forgetאֶת—בְּרִיתthe covenant ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour GodאֲשֶׁרwhichכָּרַתHe sealedעִמָּכֶםwith youוַעֲשִׂיתֶםand you makeלָכֶםfor yourselvesפֶּסֶלa carved imageתְּמוּנַתthe likeness ofכֹּלanythingאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוְּךָcommanded youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָ׃your God

רַשִׁ״י

תמונתthe likeness ofכל.anythingתְּמוּנַתthe likeness ofכָּלanyדָּבָר:thing

רַשִׁ״י

אשרWhichצוךHe commanded youה'.HashemאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוְּךָHe commanded youשֶׁלֹּאnotלַעֲשׂוֹת:to do

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

כִּיForיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godאֵשׁa fireאֹכְלָהconsumingהוּאis Heאֵלa Godקַנָּא׃jealous

רַשִׁ״י

אלA Godקנא.jealousמְקַנֵּאWho is zealousלִנְקֹם,to take vengeanceאנפר"מנטemportmentבְּלַעַז,in foreign tongueמִתְחָרֶהglowingעַלinרָגְזוֹHis angerלְהִפָּרַעto exact punishmentמֵעוֹבְדֵיfrom those who worshipעֲ"זָ:idols

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

כִּיWhenתוֹלִידyou begetבָּנִיםchildrenוּבְנֵיand children ofבָנִיםchildrenוְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּםand you become establishedבָּאָרֶץin the landוְהִשְׁחַתֶּםand you act corruptlyוַעֲשִׂיתֶםand you makeפֶּסֶלa carved imageתְּמוּנַתthe likeness ofכֹּלanythingוַעֲשִׂיתֶםand you doהָרַעevilבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלְהַכְעִיסוֹ׃to anger Him

רַשִׁ״י

ונושנתם.And you shall have been longרָמַזHe hintedלָהֶםto themשֶׁיִּגְלוּthat they would be exiledמִמֶּנָּהfrom itלְסוֹףat the end ofשְׁמוֹנֶהeightמֵאוֹתhundredוַחֲמִשִּׁיםand fiftyוּשְׁתַּיִםand twoשָׁנָהyearsכְּמִנְיַןaccording to the numerical value of"וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּם",and you shall have been longוְהוּאand Heהִקְדִּיםbrought earlyוְהִגְלָםand exiled themלְסוֹףat the end ofשְׁמוֹנֶהeightמֵאוֹתhundredוַחֲמִשִּׁים,and fiftyוְהִקְדִּיםand He advanced itשְׁתֵּיby twoשָׁנִיםyearsלִ"וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּם",before and you shall have been longכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִתְקַיֵּםwould be fulfilledבָּהֶםin themכִּיthatאָבֹדutterlyתֹּאבֵדוּן,you shall perishוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat which is saidדניאלDanielט'chapter nine"וַיִּשְׁקֹדAnd He hastenedעַלconcerningהָרָעָהthe evilוַיְבִיאֶהָand He brought itעָלֵינוּupon usכִּיforצַדִּיקrighteousה'Hashemאֱלֹהֵינוּ"our God–צְדָקָהcharityעָשָׂהHe didעִמָּנוּwith usשֶׁמִּהֵרthat He hastenedלַהֲבִיאָהּto bring itשְׁתֵּיtwoשָׁנִיםyearsלִפְנֵיbeforeזְמַנָּהּits timeסנהדריןSanhedrinל"ח;page 38גיטיןGittinפ"חpage 88:

פָּסוּק כב

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הַעִידֹתִיI call to witnessבָכֶםagainst youהַיּוֹםtodayאֶת—הַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוְאֶתand —הָאָרֶץthe earthכִּיthatאָבֹדperishתֹּאבֵדוּןyou shall surely perishמַהֵרquicklyמֵעַלfrom uponהָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרthatאַתֶּםyouעֹבְרִיםare crossingאֶת—הַיַּרְדֵּןthe Jordanשָׁמָּהthereלְרִשְׁתָּהּto possess itלֹאyou shall notתַאֲרִיכֻןprolongיָמִיםdaysעָלֶיהָupon itכִּיbutהִשָּׁמֵדdestroyedתִּשָּׁמֵדוּן׃you shall be destroyed

רַשִׁ״י

העידתיI call as witnessesבכם.against youהִנְנִיbehold Iמַזְמִינָםsummon themלִהְיוֹתto beעֵדִיםwitnessesשֶׁהִתְרֵיתִיthat I warnedבָכֶם:you

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וְהֵפִיץAnd He will scatterיְהוָהHashemאֶתְכֶםyouבָּעַמִּיםamong the peoplesוְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּםand you will remainמְתֵיmen ofמִסְפָּרnumberבַּגּוֹיִםamong the nationsאֲשֶׁרwhereיְנַהֵגwill leadיְהוָהHashemאֶתְכֶםyouשָׁמָּה׃there

פָּסוּק כד

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וַעֲבַדְתֶּםAnd you will serveשָׁםthereאֱלֹהִיםgodsמַעֲשֵׂהthe work ofיְדֵיthe hands ofאָדָםmanעֵץwoodוָאֶבֶןand stoneאֲשֶׁרwhichלֹאnotיִרְאוּןthey seeוְלֹאand notיִשְׁמְעוּןthey hearוְלֹאand notיֹאכְלוּןthey eatוְלֹאand notיְרִיחֻן׃they smell

רַשִׁ״י

ועבדתםAnd you shall serveשםthereאלהים.godsכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,like its Targumמִשֶּׁאַתֶּםsince youעוֹבְדִיםserveלְעוֹבְדֵיהֶםtheir worshippersכְּאִלּוּit is as ifאַתֶּםyouעוֹבְדִיםserveלָהֶם:them

פָּסוּק כה

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וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּםAnd you will seekמִשָּׁםfrom thereאֶת—יְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godוּמָצָאתָand you will findכִּיifתִדְרְשֶׁנּוּyou search for Himבְּכָלwith allלְבָבְךָyour heartוּבְכָלand with allנַפְשֶׁךָ׃your soul

פָּסוּק כו

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בַּצַּרIn distressלְךָto youוּמְצָאוּךָand they find youכֹּלallהַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsהָאֵלֶּהtheseבְּאַחֲרִיתin the end ofהַיָּמִיםthe daysוְשַׁבְתָּand you will returnעַדuntoיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godוְשָׁמַעְתָּand you will obeyבְּקֹלוֹ׃His voice

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

כִּיForאֵלa GodרַחוּםcompassionateיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלֹאwill notיַרְפְּךָabandon youוְלֹאand will notיַשְׁחִיתֶךָdestroy youוְלֹאand will notיִשְׁכַּחforgetאֶת—בְּרִיתthe covenant ofאֲבֹתֶיךָyour fathersאֲשֶׁרwhichנִשְׁבַּעHe sworeלָהֶם׃to them

רַשִׁ״י

לאHe will notירפך.let you looseמִלְּהַחֲזִיקfrom holdingבְּךָonto youבְּיָדָיו,with His handsוּלְשׁוֹןand the expressionלֹאnotיַרְפְּךָHe will let looseלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofלֹאHe will notיַפְעִילcause to doהוּאit is–לֹאHe will notיִתֵּןgiveלְךָto youרִפְיוֹן,loosenessלֹאHe will notיַפְרִישׁseparateאוֹתְךָyouמֵאֶצְלוֹ,from beside Himוְכֵןand so"אֲחַזְתִּיוI held himוְלֹאand notאַרְפֶּנּוּ"will I let looseשירSong ofהשיריםSongsג'threeשֶׁלֹּאwhich is notנִנְקַדvowelledאֶרְפֶּנּוּ;I will let looseכָּלeveryלְשׁוֹןexpression ofרִפְיוֹןloosenessמוּסָבis directedעַלuponלְשׁוֹןthe expression ofמַפְעִילcausing to doוּמִתְפַּעֵל,and doing to oneselfכְּמוֹlike"הַרְפֵּהgive loosenessלָהּ"to herמלכיםKingsבtwoד'four–תֵּןgiveלָהּto herרִפְיוֹן,looseness"הֶרֶףgive loosenessמִמֶּנִּי"from meדבריםDevarimט'nine–הִתְרַפֵּהloosen yourselfמִמֶּנִּי:from me

פָּסוּק כח

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כִּיForשְׁאַלaskנָאpleaseלְיָמִיםof daysרִאשֹׁנִיםearlierאֲשֶׁרthatהָיוּwereלְפָנֶיךָbefore youלְמִןfromהַיּוֹםthe dayאֲשֶׁרthatבָּרָאcreatedאֱלֹהִיםGodאָדָםmanעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthוּלְמִקְצֵהand from the edgeהַשָּׁמַיִםof the heavenוְעַדand untilקְצֵהthe edgeהַשָּׁמָיִםof the heavenהֲנִהְיָהhas there beenכַּדָּבָרlike the matterהַגָּדוֹלgreatהַזֶּהthisאוֹorהֲנִשְׁמַעhas there been heardכָּמֹהוּ׃like it

רַשִׁ״י

לימיםregarding daysראשונים.formerעַלregardingיָמִיםdaysרִאשׁוֹנִים:former

רַשִׁ״י

ולמקצהAnd from the endהשמים.of the heavenוְגַםand alsoשְׁאַלaskלְכָלof allהַבְּרוּאִיםthe creaturesאֲשֶׁרthat areמִקָּצֶהfrom an endאֶלtoקָצֶה,an endזֶהוּThis isפְּשׁוּטוֹ;its plain senseוּמִדְרָשׁוֹ,and its Midrashמְלַמֵּדteachesעַלregardingקוֹמָתוֹthe heightשֶׁלofאָדָםAdamשֶׁהָיְתָהthat it wasמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe earthעַדuntilהַשָּׁמַיִם,the heavenוְהוּאand it isהַשִּׁעוּרthe measurementעַצְמוֹitselfאֲשֶׁרwhich isמִקָּצֶהfrom an endאֶלtoקָצֶהan endסנהדריןSanhedrinל"ח38b:

רַשִׁ״י

הנהיהwhether there has beenכדברlike the matterהגדולthe greatהזה.thisוּמַהוּand what isהַדָּבָרthe matterהַגָּדוֹל,the greatהשמעdid hearעםa peopleוגו'etc.:

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

הֲשָׁמַעDid hearעָםa nationקוֹלthe voice ofאֱלֹהִיםG-dמְדַבֵּרspeakingמִתּוֹךְfrom the midst ofהָאֵשׁthe fireכַּאֲשֶׁרasשָׁמַעְתָּheardאַתָּהyouוַיֶּחִי׃and survived

פָּסוּק ל

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אוֹOrהֲנִסָּהhas venturedאֱלֹהִיםa godלָבוֹאto comeלָקַחַתto takeלוֹfor himselfגוֹיa nationמִקֶּרֶבfrom the midst ofגּוֹיa nationבְּמַסֹּתwith trialsבְּאֹתֹתwith signsוּבְמוֹפְתִיםand with wondersוּבְמִלְחָמָהand with warוּבְיָדand with a handחֲזָקָהstrongוּבִזְרוֹעַand with an armנְטוּיָהoutstretchedוּבְמוֹרָאִיםand with terrorsגְּדֹלִיםgreatכְּכֹלlike allאֲשֶׁרthatעָשָׂהdidלָכֶםfor youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godבְּמִצְרַיִםin Mitzrayimלְעֵינֶיךָ׃before your eyes

רַשִׁ״י

אוOrהנסהhas attemptedאלהים.Godהֲכִיis it soעָשָׂהdidנִסִּיםmiraclesשׁוּםanyאֱלוֹהַּgodלבואto comeלקחתto takeלוfor himselfגויa nationוגו'etc.,כָּלallהֵהִי"ןthe letters Hehהַלָּלוּtheseתְּמִיהוֹתquestionsהֵן,they areלְכָךְthereforeנְקוּדוֹתvowelledהֵןthey areבַּחֲטָףwith a Chataphפַּתָּח:Patachהֲנִהְיָה,has there beenהֲנִשְׁמַע,has there been heardהֲשָׁמַעhas heardהֲנִסָּה:has attempted

רַשִׁ״י

במסת.By trialsעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofנִסְיוֹנוֹתtrialsהוֹדִיעָםHe made known to themגְּבוּרוֹתָיו,His mighty deedsכְּגוֹןsuch as"הִתְפָּאֵר"Boastעָלַי"over Me"שמותShemosח'8אִםwhetherאוּכַלI am ableלַעֲשׂוֹתto doכֵּן,soהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis isנִסָּיוֹן:a trial

רַשִׁ״י

באתת.With signsבְּסִימָנִין,with signsלְהַאֲמִיןto believeשֶׁהוּאthat heשְׁלוּחוֹis the messengerשֶׁלofמָקוֹם,the Omnipresentכְּגוֹןsuch as"מַה"Whatזֶּהis thisבְיָדֶךָ"in your hand"שםthereד'4:

רַשִׁ״י

ובמופתים.And with wondersהֵםthey areנִפְלָאוֹת,wondrous thingsשֶׁהֵבִיאthat He broughtעֲלֵיהֶםupon themמַכּוֹתplaguesמֻפְלָאוֹת:wondrous

רַשִׁ״י

ובמלחמה.And by warבַּיָּם,at the seaשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"כִּיForה'Hashemנִלְחָםfightsלָהֶם"for themשםthereי"ד14:

פָּסוּק לא

Pasuk 31

אַתָּהYouהָרְאֵתָwere shownלָדַעַתto knowכִּיthatיְהוָהHashemהוּאHeהָאֱלֹהִיםis Godאֵיןthere is noneעוֹדelseמִלְבַדּוֹ׃besides Him

רַשִׁ״י

הראת.You have been shownכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its translation"אִתְחֲזֵיתָא";you were shownכְּשֶׁנָּתַןwhen gaveהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heאֶת—הַתּוֹרָהthe TorahפָּתַחHe openedלָהֶםfor themשִׁבְעָהsevenרְקִיעִים,heavensוּכְשֵׁםand just asשֶׁקָּרַעthat He rentאֶת—הָעֶלְיוֹנִיםthe upper regionsכָּךְsoקָרַעHe rentאֶת—הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים,the lower regionsוְרָאוּand they sawשֶׁהוּאthat Heיְחִידִי,is aloneלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is said"אַתָּהyouהָרְאֵתָwere shownלָדַעַת":to know

פָּסוּק לב

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מִןFromהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensהִשְׁמִיעֲךָHe let you hearאֶת—קֹלוֹHis voiceלְיַסְּרֶךָּto discipline youוְעַלand uponהָאָרֶץthe earthהֶרְאֲךָHe showed youאֶת—אִשּׁוֹHis fireהַגְּדוֹלָהthe greatוּדְבָרָיוand His wordsשָׁמַעְתָּyou heardמִתּוֹךְfrom the midst ofהָאֵשׁ׃the fire

פָּסוּק לג

Pasuk 33

וְתַחַתAnd becauseכִּיthatאָהַבHe lovedאֶת—אֲבֹתֶיךָyour forefathersוַיִּבְחַרand He choseבְּזַרְעוֹtheir offspringאַחֲרָיוafter themוַיּוֹצִאֲךָand He brought you outבְּפָנָיוwith His presenceבְּכֹחוֹwith His powerהַגָּדֹלthe greatמִמִּצְרָיִם׃from Mitzrayim

רַשִׁ״י

ותחתAnd becauseכי·אהב.He lovedוְכָלand allזֶהthisתַּחַתbecauseאֲשֶׁרof thatאָהַב:He loved

רַשִׁ״י

ויוצאךAnd He brought you outבפניו.before Himכְּאָדָםlike a manהַמַּנְהִיגwho leadsבְּנוֹhis sonלְפָנָיו,before himשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וַיִּסַּעAnd he movedמַלְאַךְthe angel ofהָאֱלֹהִיםG-dהַהֹלֵךְwho wentוְגוֹ'etc.וַיֵּלֶךְand wentמֵאַחֲרֵיהֶם"behind themשםthere.דָּ"אַ,Another explanationויוצאךAnd He brought you outבפניוin His presence–בִּפְנֵיin the presence ofאֲבוֹתָיו,his fathersכְּמָהjust asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is said"נֶגֶדIn the presence ofאֲבוֹתָםtheir fathersעָשָׂהHe didפֶלֶא"wondersתהיליםTehillimע"ח78;וְאַלAnd do notתִּתְמַהּbe surprisedעַלatשֶׁהִזְכִּירָםthat He mentioned themבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofיָחִיד,singularשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdכְתָבָםHe wrote themבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofיָחִידsingular–ויבחרand He choseבזרעוhis seedאחריוafter him:

פָּסוּק לד

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לְהוֹרִישׁto drive outגּוֹיִםnationsגְּדֹלִיםgreaterוַעֲצֻמִיםand mightierמִמְּךָthan youמִפָּנֶיךָfrom before youלַהֲבִיאֲךָto bring youלָתֶתto giveלְךָto youאֶת—אַרְצָםtheir landנַחֲלָהas an inheritanceכַּיּוֹםas this dayהַזֶּה׃·

רַשִׁ״י

ממךthan youמפניך.from before youסָרְסֵהוּinvert itוְדָרְשֵׁהוּ:and explain itלְהוֹרִישׁto dispossessמִפָּנֶיךָfrom before youגּוֹיִםnationsגְּדוֹלִיםgreaterוַעֲצוּמִיםand mightierמִמְּךָ:than you

רַשִׁ״י

כיוםAs the dayהזה.thisכַּאֲשֶׁרasאַתָּהyouרוֹאֶהseeהַיּוֹם:today

פָּסוּק לה

Pasuk 35

וְיָדַעְתָּAnd you shall knowהַיּוֹםtodayוַהֲשֵׁבֹתָand you shall returnאֶלtoלְבָבֶךָyour heartכִּיthatיְהוָהHashemהוּאHeהָאֱלֹהִיםis the Godבַּשָּׁמַיִםin the heavensמִמַּעַלaboveוְעַלand onהָאָרֶץthe earthמִתָּחַתbelowאֵיןthere is noneעוֹד׃else

פָּסוּק לו

Pasuk 36

וְשָׁמַרְתָּAnd you shall keepאֶת—חֻקָּיוHis statutesוְאֶתand —מִצְוֺתָיוHis commandmentsאֲשֶׁרwhichאָנֹכִיIמְצַוְּךָcommand youהַיּוֹםtodayאֲשֶׁרso thatיִיטַבit will go wellלְךָfor youוּלְבָנֶיךָand for your childrenאַחֲרֶיךָafter youוּלְמַעַןand so thatתַּאֲרִיךְyou will prolongיָמִיםdaysעַלuponהַאֲדָמָהthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godנֹתֵןis givingלְךָto youכָּלallהַיָּמִים׃the days

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah traces Moshe's warning to Klal Yisrael about the absolute prohibition of making sculptured images or serving the heavenly hosts, reminding them that Hashem is a consuming fire. Moshe forewarns that if they turn to avodah zarah after settling in the land, they will be quickly destroyed and scattered among the nations, where they will be forced to serve man-made gods of wood and stone. However, he reassures them that even in their deepest distress in galus, if they seek Hashem with all their heart and return to Him, He will not abandon them or forget the covenant with the Avos. Moshe concludes by pointing to the absolute uniqueness of Jewish history—that no other nation ever heard the voice of Hashem speaking from fire or was redeemed with such open miracles—proving once and for all that Hashem alone is Elokim in heaven above and on earth below, and there is none else.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is telling us a fundamental rule of our emunah: "Ata hareisa lada'at...", you have been shown, so that you should know. At Har Sinai, Hashem did not just give us a set of rules; He showed us His reality with an open, undeniable revelation. But the Torah immediately warns us, "pen tishkach," do not forget what your eyes saw. Lichoira, how could a person ever forget standing at the foot of a burning mountain and hearing the voice of Hashem? The answer is that the yetzer hara does not work by making us intellectually deny the truth. Rather, the natural coldness of the world slowly cools down our warmth, making our connection feel distant and old, until we are "noshanitem", we become stale.

This is the real avodah of a Yid. Emunah is not a dry philosophy that you learn once and put on a shelf. It is a living, breathing relationship that requires constant renewal. If we do not actively work to bring the excitement of Har Sinai into our daily lives, the routine of the day-to-day will naturally wash it away. We have to take that clear knowledge of "ein od milvado", that there is absolutely nothing besides Hashem, and bring it down from our minds into our hearts, making it real and alive every single morning.

Today, when you daven or learn, do not just go through the motions out of habit. Take thirty seconds before you begin to stop, close your eyes, and picture the fire of Har Sinai. Remind yourself that the very same Hashem who spoke out of the flames is standing right here, waiting to hear your voice.