share torah logo

Deuteronomy 1:21 - Divine promise: conquer fearlessly.

Deuteronomy 1:21 - דברים 1:21

Hebrew Text

רְאֵה נָתַן יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְפָנֶיךָ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ עֲלֵה רֵשׁ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֶיךָ לָךְ אַל־תִּירָא וְאַל־תֵּחָת׃

English Translation

Behold, the Lord thy God has set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers has said to thee; fear not, nor be discouraged.

Transliteration

Reh natan Adonai Elohecha lefanecha et-ha'aretz aleh resh ka'asher diber Adonai Elohei avotecha lach al-tira ve'al-techat.

Hebrew Leining Text

רְ֠אֵ֠ה נָתַ֨ן יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ לְפָנֶ֖יךָ אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ עֲלֵ֣ה רֵ֗שׁ כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י אֲבֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ לָ֔ךְ אַל־תִּירָ֖א וְאַל־תֵּחָֽת׃
רְ֠אֵ֠ה נָתַ֨ן יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ לְפָנֶ֖יךָ אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ עֲלֵ֣ה רֵ֗שׁ כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י אֲבֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ לָ֔ךְ אַל־תִּירָ֖א וְאַל־תֵּחָֽת׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

The verse (Devarim 1:21) appears in Moshe's recounting of the events at Kadesh Barnea, where Bnei Yisrael were commanded to enter Eretz Yisrael. This was before the sin of the spies, which led to 40 years of wandering. The phrase "עֲלֵה רֵשׁ" ("go up and possess") echoes Hashem's earlier promise to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, reinforcing the covenant.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Devarim 1:21) emphasizes the phrase "כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֶיךָ לָךְ" ("as the Lord God of thy fathers has said to thee"). He explains that this refers to Hashem's promise to the Avos (Avraham in Bereishis 12:7, 13:15; Yitzchak in 26:3; Yaakov in 28:13). The command to "fear not" was necessary because the nations inhabiting the land were mighty, but Bnei Yisrael were assured of divine assistance.

Rambam on Trust in Hashem

In Hilchos Melachim (Laws of Kings 5:1), Rambam derives from this verse that conquering Eretz Yisrael is a mitzvah incumbent upon the nation. The exhortation "אַל־תִּירָא וְאַל־תֵּחָת" ("fear not, nor be discouraged") teaches that military strength alone does not secure victory—rather, trust in Hashem is essential, as seen in Yehoshua's later conquest.

Midrashic Insights

  • Sifri Devarim 20: The phrase "רְאֵה נָתַן" ("Behold, [He] has set") implies the land was already prepared for them—its inhabitants had no moral claim, as their sins (like those of the Canaanites) made them unworthy.
  • Devarim Rabbah 1:19: "Fear not" alludes to the giants (Anakim), while "nor be discouraged" refers to the fortified cities. The Midrash stresses that these obstacles were tests of emunah (faith).

Ibn Ezra on Human Effort

Ibn Ezra notes that the command to "go up and possess" requires action—Bnei Yisrael could not passively expect the land to fall into their hands. This mirrors the principle of hishtadlus (human effort) alongside trust in Hashem, as seen in later Jewish thought (e.g., Mesillas Yesharim on diligence in mitzvos).

Halachic Implications

The Minchas Chinuch (Mitzvah 425) cites this verse as the source for the ongoing mitzvah to settle Eretz Yisrael. The Ramban (Supplement to Sefer HaMitzvos 4) expands this to include living in the land even in exile, as it remains an eternal inheritance.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 44a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the commandment to conquer the land of Israel and the assurance of divine support.
📖 Sanhedrin 20b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the obligations and privileges of the Jewish people regarding the land of Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'Behold, the Lord thy God has set the land before thee' mean in Deuteronomy 1:21?
A: This verse means that Hashem (God) is showing the Jewish people that the Land of Israel is ready for them to enter and settle. It was a reminder of the divine promise made to their ancestors (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov) that this land would be their inheritance. Rashi explains that this was an encouragement to proceed without hesitation.
Q: Why does the verse say 'fear not, nor be discouraged'?
A: The Torah reassures the Jewish people not to fear the challenges of conquering and settling the land because Hashem is with them. The Rambam teaches that true trust in God (bitachon) means moving forward with faith even when facing difficulties, knowing that divine assistance is present.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This verse teaches us to trust in Hashem's promises and not to be paralyzed by fear when facing challenges. Just as the Israelites were told to move forward with faith, we too should approach life's obstacles with confidence in divine providence. The Midrash Tanchuma connects this idea to personal and communal struggles, emphasizing perseverance.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'as the Lord God of thy fathers has said to thee'?
A: This phrase reinforces that the promise of the Land of Israel was not a new idea but a continuation of the covenant made with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. The Talmud (Berachot 32a) teaches that ancestral merit (zechut avot) plays a role in divine blessings, reminding the people of their spiritual legacy.
Q: What lesson can we learn from 'go up and possess it'?
A: The Torah teaches that while Hashem provides opportunities, we must take action ('go up and possess'). The Sforno explains that divine blessings often require human effort (hishtadlut). This principle applies to spiritual growth—mitzvot and Torah study require our active participation.