Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Deuteronomy 1:42 mean when it says 'I am not among you'?
A: In Deuteronomy 1:42, when Hashem says 'I am not among you,' it means that the Divine Presence (Shechinah) was not with the Israelites at that time due to their lack of faith and disobedience. Rashi explains that this was a consequence of their earlier sin of the spies (Numbers 13-14), when they doubted Hashem's promise to bring them into the Land of Israel. Without Hashem's protection, they would be vulnerable in battle.
Q: Why were the Israelites told not to fight in Deuteronomy 1:42?
A: The Israelites were told not to fight because Hashem had withdrawn His protection from them due to their lack of trust in Him. The Talmud (Sotah 44b) teaches that when the Jewish people go to battle with proper faith and mitzvah observance, Hashem fights for them. Here, since they were spiritually unprepared, attempting to fight would lead to defeat, as the verse warns: 'lest you be smitten before your enemies.'
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 1:42 today?
A: Deuteronomy 1:42 teaches us that success—whether in physical battles or life's challenges—depends on Hashem's help, which is earned through faith and obedience to His commandments. The Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) explains that when troubles come, we must examine our actions and return to Hashem. This verse reminds us that without a strong spiritual connection to Hashem, we cannot rely solely on our own strength.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 1:42 relate to the sin of the spies?
A: Deuteronomy 1:42 is directly connected to the sin of the spies (Numbers 13-14), where the Israelites believed the spies' negative report about the Land of Israel instead of trusting Hashem. As a result, that generation was punished and forbidden from entering the land. Here, when they later tried to fight their way in without Hashem's command, they were defeated. The Midrash (Tanchuma, Shelach 7) emphasizes that their defeat was a consequence of their earlier lack of faith.
Q: Why does the verse say 'lest you be smitten before your enemies'?
A: The phrase 'lest you be smitten before your enemies' serves as a warning that without Hashem's protection, the Israelites would be powerless against their enemies. The Sforno explains that military strength alone is insufficient without Divine assistance. This principle is echoed in Psalms 33:16-17, which states that victory does not depend on human strength but on Hashem's will. The verse teaches that true security comes from our relationship with Hashem.
Context of the Verse
This verse (Devarim 1:42) appears in Moshe's recounting of the events following the sin of the Meraglim (the Spies), when Bnei Yisrael were commanded not to ascend to Eretz Yisrael after their initial refusal. The people, realizing their mistake, attempted to go up despite Hashem's warning, resulting in defeat.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi explains that the phrase "כִּי אֵינֶנִּי בְּקִרְבְּכֶם" ("for I am not among you") means that the Divine Presence (Shechinah) had withdrawn from them due to their earlier rebellion. Without Hashem's protection, they were vulnerable to their enemies. Rashi emphasizes that their attempt to fight was futile because success in battle depends entirely on Hashem's will (based on Sifrei).
Rambam's Perspective
Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 1:3) discusses how teshuvah (repentance) must be sincere and accompanied by changed behavior. Here, Bnei Yisrael superficially regretted their mistake but acted against Hashem's command, demonstrating incomplete repentance. Their defeat underscores that true teshuvah requires submission to divine decree.
Midrashic Insights
Halachic Implications
The Chatam Sofer (Torat Moshe) derives from this verse that military endeavors require divine approval. Even with human strength, victory is impossible without Hashem's support, a principle echoed in Tehillim (127:1): "אִם־ה' לֹא־יִשְׁמָר עִיר, שָׁוְא שָׁקַד שׁוֹמֵר" ("Unless Hashem guards the city, the watchman keeps vigil in vain").
Moral Lesson
The Or HaChaim teaches that this episode warns against relying on human calculations when Hashem has decreed otherwise. Trust in divine wisdom, even when it contradicts human logic, is fundamental to Jewish faith.