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Deuteronomy 13:7 - Loyalty test: family or faith?

Deuteronomy 13:7 - דברים 13:7

Hebrew Text

כִּי יְסִיתְךָ אָחִיךָ בֶן־אִמֶּךָ אוֹ־בִנְךָ אוֹ־בִתְּךָ אוֹ אֵשֶׁת חֵיקֶךָ אוֹ רֵעֲךָ אֲשֶׁר כְּנַפְשְׁךָ בַּסֵּתֶר לֵאמֹר נֵלְכָה וְנַעַבְדָה אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַעְתָּ אַתָּה וַאֲבֹתֶיךָ׃

English Translation

If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, who is as thy own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

Transliteration

Ki yesitekha achikha ben-imekha o-vinkha o-vitekha o eshet cheikekha o re'ekha asher kenafshekha baseter lemor nelekha vena'avda elohim acherim asher lo yadata atah va'avotekha.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֣י יְסִֽיתְךָ֡ אָחִ֣יךָ בֶן־אִ֠מֶּ֠ךָ אֽוֹ־בִנְךָ֨ אֽוֹ־בִתְּךָ֜ א֣וֹ <b>׀</b> אֵ֣שֶׁת חֵיקֶ֗ךָ א֧וֹ רֵֽעֲךָ֛ אֲשֶׁ֥ר כְּנַפְשְׁךָ֖ בַּסֵּ֣תֶר לֵאמֹ֑ר נֵֽלְכָ֗ה וְנַֽעַבְדָה֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתָּ אַתָּ֖ה וַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃
כִּ֣י יְסִֽיתְךָ֡ אָחִ֣יךָ בֶן־אִ֠מֶּ֠ךָ אֽוֹ־בִנְךָ֨ אֽוֹ־בִתְּךָ֜ א֣וֹ ׀ אֵ֣שֶׁת חֵיקֶ֗ךָ א֧וֹ רֵֽעֲךָ֛ אֲשֶׁ֥ר כְּנַפְשְׁךָ֖ בַּסֵּ֣תֶר לֵאמֹ֑ר נֵֽלְכָ֗ה וְנַֽעַבְדָה֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתָּ אַתָּ֖ה וַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and General Meaning

The verse (Devarim 13:7) warns against being enticed to idolatry by those closest to us—family members or dear friends. The Torah emphasizes that even the most intimate relationships must not override one's commitment to Hashem. This prohibition is part of a larger discussion in the Torah about the severity of idolatry and the need to eradicate its influence from the Jewish people.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "כִּי יְסִיתְךָ אָחִיךָ" ("If your brother entices you") refers specifically to a blood relative, as the verse specifies "the son of your mother." Rashi notes that the Torah mentions "the son of your mother" rather than "the son of your father" to teach that maternal siblings often share a closer bond due to shared upbringing, making the temptation more dangerous.

Rambam's Perspective (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim)

Rambam (Maimonides) discusses this verse in the context of the laws concerning mesit (one who entices others to idolatry). He rules that if someone attempts to secretly persuade another to worship foreign gods, they are subject to severe punishment, even if they are a close relative. Rambam emphasizes that loyalty to Hashem supersedes all human relationships.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) highlights the phrase "בַסֵּתֶר" ("in secret"), teaching that the enticer operates covertly, appealing to emotions rather than open debate. This underscores the deceptive nature of idolatry.
  • Another Midrash (Devarim Rabbah) notes that the verse lists progressively closer relationships—from brother to child to spouse to friend—to illustrate that no bond, no matter how strong, can justify abandoning Hashem.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 61b) derives from this verse that one must not show mercy to a mesit, even if they are a beloved family member. The Gemara explains that this strictness is necessary to prevent the spread of idolatry, which undermines the foundation of Jewish faith.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

This verse teaches that spiritual integrity requires vigilance, even in the face of emotional manipulation. The inclusion of "your friend who is as your own soul" (אֲשֶׁר כְּנַפְשְׁךָ) emphasizes that even deep friendships must not lead one astray. The Torah demands unwavering commitment to truth, regardless of personal attachments.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 61b
The verse is discussed in the context of laws regarding the enticement to idolatry, particularly focusing on the severity of such actions and the required response.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 13:7 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 13:7 warns against being secretly influenced by close family members or friends to worship other gods. The Torah emphasizes that even the closest relationships must not lead one astray from serving Hashem. Rashi explains that the verse specifically mentions 'the son of your mother' to highlight that even a maternal brother—who shares a deep bond—must not persuade you to idolatry.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is crucial because it teaches the absolute commitment required to serve Hashem, even when faced with pressure from loved ones. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 5:2) rules that one must not give in to such enticement, even at the cost of losing family or friends. It reinforces the principle of loyalty to Torah above all else.
Q: How does this apply to us today?
A: While literal idol worship is rare today, the principle applies to resisting negative influences—even from those closest to us—that may lead us away from Torah values. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 74a) teaches that one must be willing to sacrifice personal relationships rather than abandon mitzvot. This teaches us to prioritize our spiritual integrity.
Q: Why does the verse mention 'secretly'?
A: The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 87) explains that enticement to idolatry often happens in private, where social pressure is strongest. By saying 'in secret,' the Torah warns that even when no one else is watching, we must remain steadfast in our faith. Rashi adds that this secrecy shows the manipulative nature of such influences.
Q: What can we learn from the list of relationships in this verse?
A: The verse lists progressively closer relationships—from brother to spouse to 'friend who is like your own soul'—to teach that no bond, no matter how deep, can justify abandoning Hashem. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 27b) derives from this that one must not show favoritism in matters of Torah law, even for family.