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Deuteronomy 16:15 - Festival joy with divine blessing

Deuteronomy 16:15 - דברים 16:15

Hebrew Text

שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תָּחֹג לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בַּמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַר יְהוָה כִּי יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכֹל תְּבוּאָתְךָ וּבְכֹל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ וְהָיִיתָ אַךְ שָׂמֵחַ׃

English Translation

Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast to the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy produce, and in all the work of thy hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.

Transliteration

Shiv'at yamim tachog la'Adonai Elohecha bamakom asher-yivchar Adonai ki yevarechecha Adonai Elohecha bechol tevu'atecha uvchol ma'aseh yadecha vehayita ach same'ach.

Hebrew Leining Text

שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֗ים תָּחֹג֙ לַיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּ֣י יְבָרֶכְךָ֞ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ בְּכֹ֤ל תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֙ וּבְכֹל֙ מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדֶ֔יךָ וְהָיִ֖יתָ אַ֥ךְ שָׂמֵֽחַ׃
שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֗ים תָּחֹג֙ לַיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּ֣י יְבָרֶכְךָ֞ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ בְּכֹ֤ל תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֙ וּבְכֹל֙ מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדֶ֔יךָ וְהָיִ֖יתָ אַ֥ךְ שָׂמֵֽחַ׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Mitzvah of Celebrating Sukkot

The verse commands the observance of Sukkot (the Festival of Booths) for seven days in the place Hashem chooses—referring to the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) in Jerusalem. Rashi (Devarim 16:15) explains that this mitzvah applies specifically to Sukkot, as it follows the harvest season, when people naturally feel joy from their material success. The Torah directs this joy toward spiritual fulfillment by dwelling in the sukkah and bringing korbanot (offerings) to the Beit HaMikdash.

The Divine Blessing and Simcha (Joy)

The verse connects the mitzvah of Sukkot with Hashem's blessing: "because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy produce, and in all the work of thy hands." The Rambam (Hilchot Lulav 8:12) teaches that true simcha in fulfilling mitzvot comes from recognizing Hashem's kindness. When one internalizes that all blessings—material and spiritual—come from Him, their joy becomes complete ("וְהָיִיתָ אַךְ שָׂמֵחַ").

The Centrality of Jerusalem

The phrase "in the place which the Lord shall choose" emphasizes the uniqueness of Jerusalem as the focal point of Jewish worship. The Talmud (Chagigah 3a) derives from this that all Jews must appear before Hashem during the Shalosh Regalim (Pilgrimage Festivals). The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 142) adds that this mitzvah reinforces unity among the Jewish people, as they gather in one place to celebrate together.

Joy as an Obligation

The concluding phrase "therefore thou shalt surely rejoice" is understood by Chazal as a commandment, not merely a suggestion. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 488) explains that simcha on Sukkot is achieved through:

  • Dwelling in the sukkah, which reminds us of Hashem's protection
  • Taking the Four Species (Lulav, Etrog, Hadassim, Aravot)
  • Sharing festive meals with family, guests, and the less fortunate

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chagigah 8a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the obligation to rejoice during the festival, emphasizing the connection between divine blessing and joy.
📖 Pesachim 109a
The verse is cited in the context of the mitzvah to rejoice on the festivals, linking it to the blessings of produce and labor mentioned in the verse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast' refer to?
A: This verse refers to the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles), during which we dwell in temporary huts (sukkot) for seven days to commemorate how Hashem protected our ancestors in the wilderness (Vayikra 23:42-43). The Torah commands us to rejoice during this time (Rashi on Devarim 16:14).
Q: Why does the verse say 'in the place which the Lord shall choose'?
A: This refers to the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem, which was the central place designated for bringing offerings and celebrating the festivals (Rambam, Hilchot Chagigah 1:1). After the Temple's destruction, we observe the mitzvot of the holiday wherever we are.
Q: What does it mean that 'the Lord shall bless thee in all thy produce'?
A: This teaches that when we properly observe Sukkot and the other festivals with joy, Hashem promises to bless our material possessions - our crops and our handiwork (Sifrei Devarim 142). This shows the connection between spiritual observance and physical sustenance.
Q: Why does the Torah emphasize being joyful during the festival?
A: Simcha (joy) is an essential part of serving Hashem, especially during festivals. The Talmud (Pesachim 109a) teaches we should rejoice through meat, wine, new clothes and other permitted pleasures. True joy comes from recognizing Hashem's blessings in our lives.
Q: How do we apply this verse today without the Temple?
A: Though we can't bring sacrifices today, we still celebrate Sukkot for seven days by dwelling in the sukkah, waving the four species (lulav and etrog), and increasing in joy. The mitzvah of rejoicing applies through festive meals, singing, and studying Torah (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 529).