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Hebrew Text
כִּי אִם־לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ תֹּאכְלֶנּוּ בַּמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בּוֹ אַתָּה וּבִנְךָ וּבִתֶּךָ וְעַבְדְּךָ וַאֲמָתֶךָ וְהַלֵּוִי אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ וְשָׂמַחְתָּ לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכֹל מִשְׁלַח יָדֶךָ׃
English Translation
but thou must eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite who is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God in all that to which thou puttest thy hand.
Transliteration
Ki im-lifnei Adonai Eloheicha tochelenu bamakom asher yivchar Adonai Eloheicha bo atah uvincha uvitecha veavdecha vaamatecha vehalevi asher bishareicha vesamachta lifnei Adonai Eloheicha bechol mishlach yadecha.
Hebrew Leining Text
כִּ֡י אִם־לִפְנֵי֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ תֹּאכְלֶ֗נּוּ בַּמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִבְחַ֜ר יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֘יךָ֮ בּוֹ֒ אַתָּ֨ה וּבִנְךָ֤ וּבִתֶּ֙ךָ֙ וְעַבְדְּךָ֣ וַאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וְהַלֵּוִ֖י אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּשְׁעָרֶ֑יךָ וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֗ לִפְנֵי֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכֹ֖ל מִשְׁלַ֥ח יָדֶֽךָ׃
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Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Chagigah 7a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the obligation to rejoice during festivals and the requirement to eat sacrificial offerings in the chosen place.
📖 Pesachim 109a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the mitzvah of rejoicing on festivals, particularly the obligation to include servants and Levites in the celebration.
📖 Sukkah 48b
The verse is mentioned in relation to the joy associated with the festival of Sukkot and the inclusion of all members of the household in the celebration.
The Command to Eat Before Hashem in the Chosen Place
The verse (Devarim 12:18) commands the Jewish people to eat certain sacred offerings "before Hashem your God in the place which Hashem your God shall choose". Rashi explains that this refers to the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem, the designated place where Hashem's presence dwells. The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 9:6) elaborates that this includes offerings like Ma'aser Sheni (Second Tithe) and Bikurim (First Fruits), which must be eaten within Jerusalem's walls in a state of purity.
Inclusivity in Divine Service
The verse emphasizes that this mitzvah applies not only to the individual but to their entire household: "you, your son, your daughter, your servant, your maidservant, and the Levite in your gates". The Talmud (Chagigah 6b) derives from here that women and servants are obligated in the mitzvah of Simcha (rejoicing) during the festivals. The inclusion of the Levite is particularly significant, as the Sifrei notes, since Levites had no land inheritance and depended on others' generosity for sustenance.
The Mitzvah of Simcha (Rejoicing)
The concluding phrase "and you shall rejoice before Hashem your God in all that you put your hand to" establishes a fundamental principle in avodat Hashem. The Rambam (Hilchot Yom Tov 6:17-18) explains that this rejoicing includes eating meat, drinking wine, and sharing with the less fortunate. The Sforno adds that true Simcha comes from recognizing that all our material blessings come from Hashem's hand, and the proper response is to use them in His service.