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Deuteronomy 30:10 - Return wholeheartedly to Torah

Deuteronomy 30:10 - דברים 30:10

Hebrew Text

כִּי תִשְׁמַע בְּקוֹל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לִשְׁמֹר מִצְוֺתָיו וְחֻקֹּתָיו הַכְּתוּבָה בְּסֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֶּה כִּי תָשׁוּב אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכָל־לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל־נַפְשֶׁךָ׃

English Translation

if thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the Tora, and if thou turn to the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.

Transliteration

Ki tishma b'kol Adonai Elohecha lishmor mitzvotav v'chukotav haktuvah b'sefer hatorah hazeh ki tashuv el-Adonai Elohecha b'chol l'vavcha uv'chol nafshecha.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֣י תִשְׁמַ֗ע בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֤ר מִצְוֺתָיו֙ וְחֻקֹּתָ֔יו הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה בְּסֵ֥פֶר הַתּוֹרָ֖ה הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֤י תָשׁוּב֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכׇל־לְבָבְךָ֖ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
כִּ֣י תִשְׁמַ֗ע בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֤ר מִצְוֺתָיו֙ וְחֻקֹּתָ֔יו הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה בְּסֵ֥פֶר הַתּוֹרָ֖ה הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֤י תָשׁוּב֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכׇל־לְבָבְךָ֖ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Devarim

This verse (Devarim 30:10) appears in the section of Parshat Nitzavim, where Moshe Rabbeinu emphasizes the covenant between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael. It follows the Tochacha (rebuke) and speaks of the promise of redemption and return to Hashem after exile. The verse underscores the conditions for Divine favor: hearkening to Hashem's voice and wholehearted repentance.

Key Themes in the Verse

  • Listening to Hashem's Voice: Rashi explains that "hearkening to the voice of Hashem" refers to accepting His commandments with humility and commitment, as one listens attentively to a master.
  • Keeping Mitzvot and Chukim: The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 7:5) teaches that true repentance involves not only regret but also a firm resolve to fulfill all mitzvot, both the rational (mishpatim) and the supra-rational (chukim).
  • Returning to Hashem with Full Heart and Soul: The Talmud (Berachot 54a) interprets "with all your heart" as serving Hashem with both inclinations—the yetzer tov and yetzer hara—channeling all human drives toward Divine service.

The Concept of Teshuvah

The phrase "כי תשוב אל ה' אלקיך" ("if you return to Hashem your God") highlights the centrality of teshuvah (repentance). The Sifrei (Devarim 30:2) teaches that this return must be sincere and wholehearted, not merely superficial. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:2) elaborates that true teshuvah requires abandoning sin, regretting past transgressions, and resolving never to repeat them.

The Role of Torah Study

The mention of "הכתובה בספר התורה הזה" ("written in this book of the Torah") emphasizes that Torah study is integral to repentance. The Talmud (Kiddushin 30b) states that Torah is the antidote to the yetzer hara, and the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 35:7) teaches that Torah study leads one back to Hashem.

Wholehearted Devotion

The demand to serve Hashem "בכל לבבך ובכל נפשך" ("with all your heart and soul") echoes the Shema (Devarim 6:5). The Meshech Chochmah explains that this level of devotion is only possible when one recognizes Hashem's unity and submits entirely to His will, as exemplified by Avraham Avinu at the Akeidah.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 86a
The verse is referenced in the discussion of repentance (teshuvah) and returning to God with all one's heart and soul.
📖 Sotah 5a
The verse is cited in the context of the importance of sincere repentance and wholehearted devotion to God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 30:10 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 30:10 teaches that when we listen to Hashem's voice by keeping His commandments (mitzvot) and following the Torah, and when we return to Him with complete sincerity (teshuvah), we fulfill our covenant with Him. Rashi explains that this verse emphasizes the importance of both learning Torah and doing mitzvot with full devotion of heart and soul.
Q: Why is returning to Hashem 'with all your heart and soul' important?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:2) teaches that true repentance (teshuvah) requires sincere regret and a firm commitment to change. Returning to Hashem 'with all your heart and soul' means complete dedication—not just outward actions, but inner transformation. The Talmud (Yoma 86a) says such repentance has the power to elevate past sins into merits.
Q: How can we apply Deuteronomy 30:10 today?
A: This verse reminds us that Torah observance must be done with sincerity and love. The Sforno explains that keeping mitzvot mechanically isn’t enough—we must strive to connect deeply with Hashem through them. Practically, this means studying Torah with joy, praying with intention (kavanah), and performing mitzvot wholeheartedly in daily life.
Q: What does 'hearken to the voice of Hashem' refer to?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash (Sifrei Devarim), 'hearkening to Hashem’s voice' means diligently studying Torah (which is His 'voice') and fulfilling its commandments. The Talmud (Berachot 5a) connects this to accepting both the 'yoke of Heaven' (belief in Hashem) and the 'yoke of mitzvot' (practical observance).
Q: What is the connection between Torah study and repentance in this verse?
A: The verse links Torah study ('written in this book of the Torah') with repentance ('if you turn to Hashem'). The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 7:5) explains that Torah study leads to repentance because it reveals Hashem’s will. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 8:2) adds that Torah is the guide for proper teshuvah—without it, one cannot fully return to Hashem.