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Deuteronomy 11:28 - Consequences of abandoning Torah?

Deuteronomy 11:28 - דברים 11:28

Hebrew Text

וְהַקְּלָלָה אִם־לֹא תִשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־מִצְוֺת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וְסַרְתֶּם מִן־הַדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם הַיּוֹם לָלֶכֶת אַחֲרֵי אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יְדַעְתֶּם׃

English Translation

and a curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which you have not known.

Transliteration

Vehaklala im-lo tishme'u el-mitzvot Adonai Eloheikhem vesartem min-haderekh asher anokhi metzaveh etkhem hayom lalechet acharei elohim acherim asher lo-yedatem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהַקְּלָלָ֗ה אִם־לֹ֤א תִשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶל־מִצְוֺת֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם וְסַרְתֶּ֣ם מִן־הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם לָלֶ֗כֶת אַחֲרֵ֛י אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־יְדַעְתֶּֽם׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וְהַקְּלָלָ֗ה אִם־לֹ֤א תִשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶל־מִצְוֺת֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם וְסַרְתֶּ֣ם מִן־הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם לָלֶ֗כֶת אַחֲרֵ֛י אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־יְדַעְתֶּֽם׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Devarim 11:28) appears in the section of Re'eh, where Moshe Rabbeinu presents Bnei Yisrael with the choice between blessing and curse. It follows the description of the blessings for obedience to Hashem's commandments and introduces the consequences of disobedience, particularly idolatry.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi emphasizes that the phrase "וְסַרְתֶּם מִן־הַדֶּרֶךְ" ("but turn aside out of the way") refers to a gradual process of straying from Torah observance. He explains that one does not suddenly abandon mitzvot entirely but first neglects minor commandments, leading to greater transgressions—culminating in idol worship (avodah zarah). This aligns with the Mishnah in Avot (4:2), which teaches that one mitzvah leads to another, and one sin leads to another.

Rambam on Idolatry

In Hilchot Avodah Zarah (1:1), Rambam elaborates that the prohibition against idolatry is foundational to Torah observance. He explains that the phrase "אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יְדַעְתֶּם" ("other gods which you have not known") underscores that idolatry is a rejection of the covenant with Hashem, who redeemed Bnei Yisrael from Egypt and revealed Himself at Har Sinai.

Midrashic Insight

The Sifrei (Devarim 53) connects this verse to the broader theme of free will. It teaches that Hashem does not impose the curse arbitrarily but presents it as a consequence of deliberate choices. The Midrash also notes that the phrase "הַיּוֹם" ("this day") implies that Torah is eternally relevant—each day, one must renew their commitment to mitzvot.

Halachic Implications

  • Severity of Idolatry: The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 26) counts rejecting idolatry as one of the 613 mitzvot, highlighting its gravity.
  • Gradual Straying: The Mesillat Yesharim (Ch. 11) warns that spiritual decline often begins with small neglects, reinforcing Rashi's interpretation.
  • Repentance: The Rambam in Hilchot Teshuvah (3:6) teaches that even for idolatry, sincere teshuvah is always possible.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 37b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the blessings and curses that were pronounced on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, emphasizing the consequences of not following God's commandments.
📖 Sanhedrin 90a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the importance of adhering to God's commandments and the severe consequences of idolatry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 11:28 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 11:28 warns that if the Jewish people do not follow Hashem's commandments and instead turn away to worship other gods, they will face a curse. This verse emphasizes the importance of loyalty to Hashem and the consequences of abandoning His Torah.
Q: Why is Deuteronomy 11:28 important?
A: This verse is important because it highlights the fundamental Jewish principle of exclusive devotion to Hashem. The Rambam (Maimonides) explains in Hilchot Avodah Zarah that rejecting idolatry is one of the foundations of Judaism, and this verse reinforces that obligation.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 11:28 today?
A: We learn that staying faithful to Torah observance and avoiding spiritual distractions (modern forms of 'other gods' like materialism or false ideologies) is essential. Rashi explains that 'other gods' refers to anything that draws a person away from serving Hashem properly.
Q: What does 'go after other gods' mean in practical terms?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 61a) explains that 'other gods' refers not just to idol worship, but to anything a person treats as more important than serving Hashem. This can include excessive pursuit of money, power, or other distractions that take priority over Torah and mitzvot.
Q: How does this verse relate to free will in Judaism?
A: This verse, like many in Deuteronomy, emphasizes our power to choose between good and evil. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 5:1) explains that every person has free will to follow Hashem's commandments or stray from them, and this verse shows the consequences of those choices.