share torah logo

Deuteronomy 5:24 - Seeking Divine closeness through obedience

Deuteronomy 5:24 - דברים 5:24

Hebrew Text

קְרַב אַתָּה וּשֲׁמָע אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יֹאמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְאַתְּ תְּדַבֵּר אֵלֵינוּ אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֵלֶיךָ וְשָׁמַעְנוּ וְעָשִׂינוּ׃

English Translation

Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak to us all that the Lord our God shall speak to thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

Transliteration

Krav atah ushma et kol-asher yomar Adonai Eloheinu ve'at tedaber aleinu et kol-asher yedaber Adonai Eloheinu eleicha v'shamanu va'asinu.

Hebrew Leining Text

קְרַ֤ב אַתָּה֙ וּֽשְׁמָ֔ע אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאמַ֖ר יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וְאַ֣תְּ <b>׀</b> תְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֗ינוּ אֵת֩ כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְדַבֵּ֜ר יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ וְשָׁמַ֥עְנוּ וְעָשִֽׂינוּ׃
קְרַ֤ב אַתָּה֙ וּֽשְׁמָ֔ע אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאמַ֖ר יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וְאַ֣תְּ ׀ תְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֗ינוּ אֵת֩ כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְדַבֵּ֜ר יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ וְשָׁמַ֥עְנוּ וְעָשִֽׂינוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Devarim 5:24) appears in the context of Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah) at Har Sinai, where Bnei Yisrael request that Moshe serve as an intermediary between Hashem and themselves. The people, overwhelmed by the direct revelation of Hashem, ask Moshe to relay the divine commandments to them.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 5:24) explains that the phrase "קְרַב אַתָּה" ("Go thou near") reflects Bnei Yisrael's recognition of Moshe's unique prophetic stature. They acknowledge that Moshe has the spiritual capacity to approach Hashem in a way they cannot. Rashi also notes that their declaration "וְשָׁמַעְנוּ וְעָשִׂינוּ" ("we will hear and do") demonstrates their complete acceptance of the Torah, even before knowing its contents—a level of faith praised in the Midrash.

The Rambam's Perspective

The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 8:1) cites this verse as proof of Moshe Rabbeinu's unique prophecy. Unlike other prophets who received visions in dreams or allegories, Moshe communicated with Hashem directly and clearly—a distinction that validated his role as the transmitter of the Torah to Klal Yisrael.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Yisro 16) highlights that Bnei Yisrael's request for Moshe to serve as an intermediary stemmed from their awe of Hashem's presence, as they feared they could not survive direct communication with the Divine.
  • Midrash Rabbah (Shemos 29:4) praises the people's commitment—"וְשָׁמַעְנוּ וְעָשִׂינוּ"—as an expression of unconditional acceptance of mitzvos, which earned them celestial crowns at Har Sinai.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Shabbos 88a) derives from this verse that Klal Yisrael's declaration of "נעשה ונשמע" ("we will do and hear") established a binding covenant, obligating future generations to uphold the Torah. This principle underscores the eternal nature of the Jewish people's commitment to Torah and mitzvos.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Avodah Zarah 5a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the Israelites' acceptance of the Torah and their commitment to obey God's commandments.
📖 Shabbat 88a
The verse is cited in the context of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, emphasizing the people's willingness to hear and follow God's word.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 5:24 mean?
A: In Deuteronomy 5:24, the Jewish people are speaking to Moshe (Moses) at Mount Sinai, asking him to be their intermediary to hear Hashem's words. They commit to listening and fulfilling all that Hashem commands. Rashi explains that this shows their willingness to accept the Torah and mitzvot (commandments) even before hearing them, demonstrating great faith.
Q: Why is Deuteronomy 5:24 important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it captures the moment when Bnei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) made a collective commitment to observe the Torah. The Talmud (Shabbat 88a) teaches that this acceptance—'we will hear and we will do' (na'aseh v'nishma)—was so praiseworthy that angels rewarded them with crowns for their devotion.
Q: What lesson can we learn from 'we will hear and we will do'?
A: The phrase 'we will hear and we will do' teaches the ideal attitude toward mitzvot: first committing to observance (na'aseh) and then striving to understand (nishma). Rambam (Maimonides) emphasizes that this shows trust in Hashem's wisdom, even when we don't yet grasp the reasons for the commandments.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jewish life today?
A: This verse reminds Jews to approach Torah study and mitzvot with humility and readiness to act. Just as our ancestors accepted the Torah unconditionally, we too should prioritize fulfilling commandments—like Shabbat or kosher laws—even before fully understanding them, as taught in Midrash Tanchuma (Noach 3).
Q: Why did the people ask Moshe to be their intermediary?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 29:4) explains that after experiencing the overwhelming revelation at Sinai (Exodus 20:15-16), the people felt they couldn't endure direct communication with Hashem's holiness. They asked Moshe—who was on a higher spiritual level—to transmit Hashem's words, showing both reverence and self-awareness of human limitations.