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Deuteronomy 4:25 - Generations forget, angering Hashem?

Deuteronomy 4:25 - דברים 4:25

Hebrew Text

כִּי־תוֹלִיד בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּם בָּאָרֶץ וְהִשְׁחַתֶּם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם פֶּסֶל תְּמוּנַת כֹּל וַעֲשִׂיתֶם הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה־אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְהַכְעִיסוֹ׃

English Translation

When thou shalt beget children, and children’s children, and you shall have remained long in the land, and shall deal corruptly, and make a carved idol, the likeness of anything, and shall do evil in the sight of the Lord thy God, to provoke him to anger:

Transliteration

Ki-tolid banim uvnei vanim venoshan'tem ba'aretz vehishtatem va'asitem pesel temunat kol va'asitem hara be'enei Adonai-Elokecha lehak'iso.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּֽי־תוֹלִ֤יד בָּנִים֙ וּבְנֵ֣י בָנִ֔ים וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּ֖ם בָּאָ֑רֶץ וְהִשְׁחַתֶּ֗ם וַעֲשִׂ֤יתֶם פֶּ֙סֶל֙ תְּמ֣וּנַת כֹּ֔ל וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֥ם הָרַ֛ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָה־אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לְהַכְעִיסֽוֹ׃
כִּֽי־תוֹלִ֤יד בָּנִים֙ וּבְנֵ֣י בָנִ֔ים וְנוֹשַׁנְתֶּ֖ם בָּאָ֑רֶץ וְהִשְׁחַתֶּ֗ם וַעֲשִׂ֤יתֶם פֶּ֙סֶל֙ תְּמ֣וּנַת כֹּ֔ל וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֥ם הָרַ֛ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָה־אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לְהַכְעִיסֽוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

This verse appears in Devarim 4:25, part of Moshe Rabbeinu's admonition to Bnei Yisrael before entering Eretz Yisrael. It serves as a warning against spiritual decline over generations, particularly the danger of idolatry after prolonged settlement in the land.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi emphasizes the progression of spiritual decay: "When you shall beget children and children's children" implies that the corruption arises after generations become distant from the Exodus and Matan Torah. The phrase "and you shall have remained long in the land" suggests comfort leads to forgetfulness of Hashem's miracles. Rashi interprets "וְהִשְׁחַתֶּם" (and shall deal corruptly) as a reference to idolatry, the root of all corruption.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Avodah Zarah (1:1), Rambam explains that this verse describes a historical process: after the era of Enosh, humanity gradually turned from monotheism to idolatry due to prolonged comfort and philosophical errors. The Torah warns that Bnei Yisrael could repeat this decline if they grow complacent in Eretz Yisrael.

Ibn Ezra's Linguistic Insight

Ibn Ezra notes that "פֶּסֶל תְּמוּנַת כֹּל" (a carved idol, the likeness of anything) includes not just graven images but any representation used for worship—even if initially intended to honor Hashem. This broad prohibition prevents any slippery slope toward avodah zarah.

Midrashic Interpretation (Sifri)

  • The Sifri connects this verse to the earlier commandment in Devarim 4:15-16 against making images. It teaches that corruption begins subtly—first through philosophical deviations ("וְהִשְׁחַתֶּם"), then progresses to physical idol-making.
  • The phrase "לְהַכְעִיסוֹ" (to provoke Him to anger) is interpreted as a willful rebellion, not mere ignorance. This intensifies the severity of the sin.

Chassidic Perspective (Sefat Emet)

The Sefat Emet explains that "children's children" represents a test of legacy: each generation must actively transmit emunah (faith). Passive inheritance leads to spiritual erosion. The land's bounty ("נוֹשַׁנְתֶּם בָּאָרֶץ") becomes a test—will prosperity draw them closer to Hashem or toward materialism?

Halachic Implications (Mishneh Torah)

Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 2:1-2) derives from this verse that any act resembling idolatrous practice—even without intent to worship—is forbidden if it might lead others to error. The emphasis on "תְּמוּנַת כֹּל" teaches that no form of representation is permitted for worship purposes.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 4:25 warn against?
A: Deuteronomy 4:25 warns the Jewish people that after living in the land of Israel for many generations, they might become spiritually complacent and turn to idolatry by making carved images, which would anger Hashem. Rashi explains that this verse predicts the future exile as a consequence of such behavior.
Q: Why does the Torah mention 'children and children's children' in this verse?
A: The mention of 'children and children's children' teaches that the danger of spiritual decline often happens over generations. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1:1) explains that people may gradually forget true service of Hashem and adopt foreign practices if they are not careful to transmit Torah values properly to each generation.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 4:25 today?
A: This verse teaches the importance of remaining vigilant in our Torah observance, even when we feel secure. The Sforno notes that prosperity and long-term settlement can lead to moral complacency. Today, we must actively work to maintain our spiritual standards and pass them on to our children to avoid spiritual decline.
Q: What does 'making a carved idol' refer to in modern times?
A: While literal idol worship is rare today, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 102b) teaches that idolatry can also represent any false ideology or excessive attachment to material things that distract from serving Hashem. The Mesillat Yesharim (Path of the Just) explains that we must guard against letting worldly pursuits become our main focus in life.
Q: How does this verse connect to the concept of exile?
A: This verse foreshadows the exiles that would come as a consequence of abandoning Torah values. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) connects this to the destruction of the Temples, teaching that when the Jewish people forget their purpose and turn to foreign ways, they risk losing their connection to the land of Israel until they return to Hashem.