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Deuteronomy 14:29 - Care for others, receive divine blessing.

Deuteronomy 14:29 - דברים 14:29

Hebrew Text

וּבָא הַלֵּוִי כִּי אֵין־לוֹ חֵלֶק וְנַחֲלָה עִמָּךְ וְהַגֵּר וְהַיָּתוֹם וְהָאַלְמָנָה אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ וְאָכְלוּ וְשָׂבֵעוּ לְמַעַן יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכָל־מַעֲשֵׂה יָדְךָ אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה׃

English Translation

and the Levite, (because he has no part or inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, who are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hand which thou doest.

Transliteration

Uva halevi ki ein-lo chelek venachala imach vehager veyatom veha'almana asher bish'arecha ve'achlu vesave'u lema'an yevarechecha Adonai Elohecha bechol-ma'aseh yadecha asher ta'aseh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבָ֣א הַלֵּוִ֡י כִּ֣י אֵֽין־לוֹ֩ חֵ֨לֶק וְנַחֲלָ֜ה עִמָּ֗ךְ וְ֠הַגֵּ֠ר וְהַיָּת֤וֹם וְהָֽאַלְמָנָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ וְאָכְל֖וּ וְשָׂבֵ֑עוּ לְמַ֤עַן יְבָרֶכְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכׇל־מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָדְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וּבָ֣א הַלֵּוִ֡י כִּ֣י אֵֽין־לוֹ֩ חֵ֨לֶק וְנַחֲלָ֜ה עִמָּ֗ךְ וְ֠הַגֵּ֠ר וְהַיָּת֤וֹם וְהָֽאַלְמָנָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ וְאָכְל֖וּ וְשָׂבֵ֑עוּ לְמַ֤עַן יְבָרֶכְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכׇל־מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָדְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Inclusion of the Levite and Vulnerable Groups

The verse (Devarim 14:29) emphasizes the obligation to provide for the Levi, ger (stranger), yatom (orphan), and almanah (widow) during the third-year tithe (ma'aser ani). Rashi explains that the Levite is singled out because, unlike the other tribes, he has no ancestral land inheritance ("כי אין לו חלק ונחלה עמך"). The Rambam (Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 6:10) elaborates that this tithe ensures their sustenance, as they lack independent means of support.

The Spiritual Reward for Charity

The phrase "למען יברכך ה' אלקיך" (so that Hashem may bless you) teaches that generosity toward these groups brings divine blessing. The Sifrei (Devarim 110) links this to the principle that acts of tzedakah (charity) invite heavenly reward. The Talmud (Ta'anit 9a) states that tithes are a "test" from Hashem—by giving, one merits prosperity, as in Malachi 3:10 ("Bring the tithe... and see if I will not open the windows of heaven").

The Broader Ethical Imperative

The inclusion of the ger, yatom, and almanah reflects Torah’s emphasis on protecting society’s vulnerable. The Rambam (Hilchos De'os 6:10) teaches that kindness to these groups fulfills the mitzvah of "ואהבת לרעך כמוך" (loving your neighbor as yourself). The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 4:8) adds that neglecting their needs invites divine scrutiny, while providing for them brings collective merit.

Practical Application

  • Priority of the Levite: Since the Levite dedicates his life to divine service, supporting him is both a communal and spiritual duty (Rambam, Hilchos Shemittah 13:12-13).
  • Local Responsibility: The phrase "אשר בשעריך" (within your gates) teaches that one’s primary obligation is to the needy in their immediate community (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 251:3).
  • Blessing Through Action: The verse ties material success ("בכל מעשה ידך") to ethical conduct, echoing the Talmudic principle (Shabbos 151b) that "whoever shows mercy to others, Heaven shows mercy to them."

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 131b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the rights of the Levites and the poor to certain portions of the harvest, emphasizing the importance of charity and social justice.
📖 Sotah 38a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the blessings that come from fulfilling the commandments related to supporting the Levites, strangers, orphans, and widows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 14:29 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 14:29 teaches us about the mitzvah (commandment) of giving ma'aser ani (the poor tithe) in the third and sixth years of the seven-year Shemitah cycle. The verse instructs us to share our produce with the Levite (who had no land inheritance), the stranger (ger), the orphan, and the widow, so they may eat and be satisfied. Rashi explains that this act of kindness leads to divine blessing in all our endeavors.
Q: Why is it important to give to the Levite, stranger, orphan, and widow?
A: The Torah emphasizes caring for these groups because they were particularly vulnerable in ancient Israelite society. The Levites served in the Temple and had no land of their own to farm. The stranger, orphan, and widow often lacked economic support. The Rambam (Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 10:1) teaches that supporting them fulfills fundamental commandments of tzedakah (charity) and gemilus chasadim (acts of kindness).
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: While we no longer bring agricultural tithes today, the principle of supporting those in need remains central to Jewish life. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 248) rules that we must give at least 10% of our income to tzedakah, prioritizing Torah scholars (modern 'Levites'), converts (gerim), orphans, and widows. Many communities have systems to discreetly support these individuals.
Q: What is the connection between giving charity and receiving blessing?
A: The verse concludes that giving to others leads to divine blessing. The Talmud (Ta'anis 9a) explains this as a spiritual principle: when we 'test' Hashem through giving charity, He repays us with abundance. However, the Rambam (Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 10:2) cautions that we should give primarily because it's the right thing to do, not just to receive reward.
Q: Who exactly is included in 'the stranger' mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'ger' (stranger) refers to a righteous convert who has joined the Jewish people. Rashi explains they are included because, like the Levite, they may lack family support networks. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 59b) teaches we must be especially careful not to wrong the ger, as the Torah mentions this commandment 36 times - more than any other mitzvah.