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Deuteronomy 11:29 - Mountains of blessing and curse

Deuteronomy 11:29 - דברים 11:29

Hebrew Text

וְהָיָה כִּי יְבִיאֲךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה בָא־שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ וְנָתַתָּה אֶת־הַבְּרָכָה עַל־הַר גְּרִזִים וְאֶת־הַקְּלָלָה עַל־הַר עֵיבָל׃

English Translation

And it shall come to pass, when the Lord thy God has brought thee in to the land into which thou dost go to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizzim, and the curse upon mount ῾Eval.

Transliteration

Ve'haya ki yevi'acha Adonai Elohecha el-ha'aretz asher-ata ba-shamah lerishtah, venatata et-habrachah al-har Gerizim ve'et-haklalah al-har Eival.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָיָ֗ה כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ וְנָתַתָּ֤ה אֶת־הַבְּרָכָה֙ עַל־הַ֣ר גְּרִזִ֔ים וְאֶת־הַקְּלָלָ֖ה עַל־הַ֥ר עֵיבָֽל׃
וְהָיָ֗ה כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ וְנָתַתָּ֤ה אֶת־הַבְּרָכָה֙ עַל־הַ֣ר גְּרִזִ֔ים וְאֶת־הַקְּלָלָ֖ה עַל־הַ֥ר עֵיבָֽל׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context and Overview

The verse (Devarim 11:29) describes the mitzvah of proclaiming blessings on Har Gerizim and curses on Har Eival upon entering Eretz Yisrael. This commandment is part of Moshe Rabbeinu's final instructions to Bnei Yisrael before they cross the Jordan.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 11:29) explains that this ceremony was to take place immediately after crossing the Jordan, near the city of Shechem. He notes that Har Gerizim was lush with vegetation, symbolizing blessing, while Har Eival was barren, symbolizing curse. The tribes were divided between the two mountains, with six tribes standing on each to affirm the blessings and curses.

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Melachim 9:1), Rambam codifies this as a positive commandment incumbent upon the Jewish people when entering the Land. He emphasizes that this ceremony was a foundational act of accepting Torah observance in Eretz Yisrael.

Talmudic and Midrashic Insights

  • The Talmud (Sotah 32a) describes how the Levi'im would face Har Gerizim when proclaiming the blessings and Har Eival when proclaiming the curses, with the entire nation responding "Amen."
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Re'eh 4) teaches that the location near Shechem was chosen because it was where Yaakov Avinu hid the idols taken by his family (Bereishit 35:4), making it an appropriate place to renew commitment to Hashem.

Symbolic Meaning

The Kli Yakar (Devarim 11:29) explains that the two mountains represent the dual nature of divine service - the blessings that come from observing mitzvot and the consequences that come from neglecting them. The visual contrast between the fertile and barren mountains served as a powerful reminder of this principle.

Practical Implementation

According to the Mishnah (Sotah 7:5), the ceremony involved writing the entire Torah on stones, building an altar, and offering sacrifices. The blessings and curses were proclaimed in Hebrew and translated into seventy languages, emphasizing the universal message of Torah.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 32a
The verse is discussed in the context of the ceremony of blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, detailing how the Levites would recite the blessings and curses to the people.
📖 Sanhedrin 43b
Referenced in a discussion about the procedures for declaring blessings and curses, linking back to the commandment given in this verse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 11:29 mean when it mentions blessings on Mount Gerizim and curses on Mount Eval?
A: This verse refers to the commandment given to the Jewish people to publicly declare blessings and curses upon entering the Land of Israel. The blessings for following Hashem's commandments would be proclaimed from Mount Gerizim, and the curses for disobedience from Mount Eval. This event is described in detail later in Deuteronomy 27 and Joshua 8, where the tribes were divided between the two mountains.
Q: Why were Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval chosen for this commandment?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Sotah 32a), these two mountains were chosen because of their geographical positions near Shechem (Nablus), where our forefathers Avraham and Yaakov had significant experiences. Mount Gerizim had lush vegetation (symbolizing blessing), while Mount Eval was barren (symbolizing curse). The Midrash Tanchuma (Re'eh 4) also notes their proximity made them ideal for this public ceremony.
Q: How does this commandment apply to Jews today?
A: While we no longer perform this specific ceremony, the Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 9:1) explains that the underlying message remains eternal: we must always be conscious that observing mitzvos brings blessing, while neglecting them brings negative consequences. The Vilna Gaon teaches that this teaches us the importance of publicly affirming our commitment to Torah values.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'when Hashem your G-d brings you to the land' in this verse?
A: Rashi explains that this emphasizes that entering Israel is solely through Hashem's kindness, not our own merit. The Sforno adds that this reminds us our right to the land depends on fulfilling Torah commandments. The Kli Yakar notes the future tense ('when He will bring you') teaches this applies in every generation when Jews return to Israel.
Q: Were the blessings and curses literally placed on the mountains?
A: The Mishnah (Sotah 7:5) describes how large stones were erected and covered with plaster, with the Torah verses inscribed on them. The Rambam (Hilchos Sefer Torah 9:1) explains they wrote the Torah in 70 languages so all nations could understand. The blessings and curses weren't 'on' the mountains physically, but proclaimed toward them with the Ark and Kohanim in the valley between.