share torah logo

Deuteronomy 11:31 - Divine promise: enter Eretz Yisrael

Deuteronomy 11:31 - דברים 11:31

Hebrew Text

כִּי אַתֶּם עֹבְרִים אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן לָבֹא לָרֶשֶׁת אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם נֹתֵן לָכֶם וִירִשְׁתֶּם אֹתָהּ וִישַׁבְתֶּם־בָּהּ׃

English Translation

For you shall pass over the Yarden to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God gives you, and you shall possess it, and dwell in it.

Transliteration

Ki atem ovrim et-haYarden lavo lareshet et-ha'aretz asher-Adonai Eloheichem noten lachem virishtem otah viyishavtem-bah.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֤י אַתֶּם֙ עֹבְרִ֣ים אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָבֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם נֹתֵ֣ן לָכֶ֑ם וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֥ם אֹתָ֖הּ וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם־בָּֽהּ׃
כִּ֤י אַתֶּם֙ עֹבְרִ֣ים אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָבֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם נֹתֵ֣ן לָכֶ֑ם וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֥ם אֹתָ֖הּ וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם־בָּֽהּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Devarim 11:31) describes Bnei Yisrael's imminent crossing of the Yarden (Jordan River) to inherit Eretz Yisrael, the land promised by Hashem. This passage emphasizes the divine gift of the land and the obligation to settle and dwell in it.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "כי אתם עברים את הירדן" ("For you shall pass over the Yarden") underscores the certainty of this event—Hashem assures the people that they will indeed cross into the land. Rashi also notes that the repetition of "וירשתם אותה" ("and you shall possess it") teaches that inheriting the land is contingent upon fulfilling the mitzvot (commandments). Without adherence to Torah, they would not merit retaining possession.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1) derives from this verse the mitzvah of yishuv ha'aretz (settling the land of Israel). The command to "dwell in it" ("וישבתם בה") establishes a perpetual obligation for Jews to live in Eretz Yisrael and develop it, as it is a land uniquely sanctified for divine service.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Re'eh 8) connects this verse to the broader covenant: inheriting the land is tied to Bnei Yisrael's faithfulness to Hashem. The land "flows with milk and honey" only when the people uphold Torah values.
  • Sifrei Devarim (Eikev 43) highlights that the dual language of "possessing" and "dwelling" implies both physical conquest and spiritual settlement—building homes, planting fields, and establishing Torah institutions.

Halachic Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 425) cites this verse as the source for the mitzvah to conquer and settle Eretz Yisrael. He explains that dwelling in the land facilitates the observance of many agricultural mitzvot (e.g., terumot, ma'aserot) and strengthens the nation's spiritual identity.

Symbolism of the Yarden

The Kli Yakar notes that crossing the Yarden represents a transition from the wilderness—a place of miracles—to a land requiring human effort ("לעבדה ולשומרה", "to work it and guard it"). The river symbolizes the boundary between dependency on overt divine intervention and the challenge of serving Hashem through natural means.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 11:31 mean?
A: This verse is part of Moshe's (Moses') speech to the Israelites before they enter the Land of Israel. It emphasizes that Hashem (God) is giving them the land as an inheritance, and they will cross the Jordan River to take possession of it and settle there. Rashi explains that this promise was conditional upon the Israelites following Hashem's commandments.
Q: Why is the Land of Israel important in this verse?
A: The Land of Israel holds special significance in Judaism as the promised land given by Hashem to the Jewish people. The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches that dwelling in the land is a mitzvah (commandment), and many mitzvot can only be fulfilled there. This verse highlights the fulfillment of Hashem's promise to Avraham (Abraham), Yitzchak (Isaac), and Yaakov (Jacob).
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: This verse reminds Jews of our eternal connection to the Land of Israel. The Talmud (Ketubot 110b) states that living in Israel is equal in importance to all other mitzvot combined. While the practical circumstances have changed since biblical times, Orthodox Judaism maintains that the land remains our inheritance and that settling it is a religious ideal.
Q: What does 'pass over the Jordan' symbolize?
A: Crossing the Jordan represents a transition from the wilderness to the promised land, from preparation to fulfillment. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) compares this to a student transitioning from learning Torah to living it fully. The river symbolizes both a physical and spiritual boundary being crossed as the Israelites take on their national mission in their homeland.
Q: Why does the verse repeat 'you shall possess it'?
A: The repetition emphasizes both the physical conquest and the spiritual acquisition of the land. Rashi explains that the first mention refers to driving out the inhabitants, while the second refers to properly settling and developing the land according to Torah values. The Talmud (Sotah 44a) derives from this that military conquest alone isn't sufficient - the land must be settled properly.