Deuteronomy 12:11 - Where does God's presence dwell?

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

וְהָיָה הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם בּוֹ לְשַׁכֵּן שְׁמוֹ שָׁם שָׁמָּה תָבִיאוּ אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם עוֹלֹתֵיכֶם וְזִבְחֵיכֶם מַעְשְׂרֹתֵיכֶם וּתְרֻמַת יֶדְכֶם וְכֹל מִבְחַר נִדְרֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר תִּדְּרוּ לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; there shall you bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to the Lord:

Transliteration

Vehaya hamakom asher-yivchar Adonai Eloheichem bo leshaken shemo sham shama tavi’u et kol-asher anochi metzaveh etchem oloteichem vezivcheichem ma’asroteichem uterumat yedchem vechol mivchar nidreichem asher tidru l’Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָיָ֣ה הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֥ם בּוֹ֙ לְשַׁכֵּ֤ן שְׁמוֹ֙ שָׁ֔ם שָׁ֣מָּה תָבִ֔יאוּ אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י מְצַוֶּ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֑ם עוֹלֹתֵיכֶ֣ם וְזִבְחֵיכֶ֗ם מַעְשְׂרֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ וּתְרֻמַ֣ת יֶדְכֶ֔ם וְכֹל֙ מִבְחַ֣ר נִדְרֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּדְּר֖וּ לַיהֹוָֽה׃

Parasha Commentary

The Chosen Place for Divine Service

The verse (Devarim 12:11) establishes the centrality of the Makom Asher Yivchar Hashem (the place that Hashem will choose) for all sacrificial worship. Rashi explains that this refers specifically to the Beit HaMikdash in Jerusalem, as the permanent dwelling place for the Divine Presence after the era of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechira 1:1-3) elaborates that this mitzvah includes building the Beit HaMikdash and bringing all offerings exclusively there.

Components of Worship

The verse enumerates several categories of offerings to be brought to this central location:

Olot (Burnt Offerings): Complete offerings consumed entirely on the altar, symbolizing total devotion to Hashem (Rambam, Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 1:1).
Zevachim (Sacrifices): Peace offerings and sin offerings, which include portions eaten by the kohanim and owners (Chizkuni).
Ma'asrot (Tithes): The agricultural gifts including Terumah, Ma'aser Rishon, and Ma'aser Sheni (Sifrei Devarim).
Terumat Yadechem (Heave Offerings): Voluntary gifts given from the heart (Rashi).
Nedarim (Vows): Pledged offerings that reflect personal commitments to Divine service (Ibn Ezra).

Theological Significance

The Sforno emphasizes that centralizing worship in one location prevents fragmentation of religious practice and maintains the sanctity of Divine service. The Talmud (Zevachim 119a) derives from this verse that sacrificial worship outside the Beit HaMikdash is prohibited after its establishment. The Ramban adds that this mitzvah fosters national unity by gathering all Jews to one spiritual center.

Contemporary Application

While the Beit HaMikdash stands in ruins, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (183:1) notes that we still face Jerusalem in prayer, keeping the ideal of centralized worship alive. The Chafetz Chaim teaches that this verse reminds us to direct all aspects of our avodat Hashem (service of G-d) toward the eventual rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Zevachim 119a

The verse is discussed in the context of the centralization of sacrificial worship in Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of bringing offerings to the chosen place.

📖 Chullin 17a

Referenced in a discussion about the proper locations for slaughtering sacrifices and the significance of the chosen place for worship.

📖 Sotah 32a

Mentioned in relation to the obligation to bring tithes and offerings to the designated place chosen by God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'the place which the Lord your God shall choose' refer to in Deuteronomy 12:11?
A: According to traditional Jewish interpretation (Rashi, Rambam), this refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, specifically the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) on Mount Moriah. Once the Temple was established in Jerusalem, it became the exclusive place for bringing sacrifices and offerings.

Q: Why is it important that sacrifices could only be brought in one central place?
A: The Torah teaches us the importance of unity in serving Hashem. By centralizing worship in one place (the Temple), we avoid fragmentation and maintain proper standards for sacrifices. The Rambam explains this prevents people from creating their own unauthorized altars and maintains the sanctity of Divine service.

Q: What are the different types of offerings mentioned in this verse?
A: The verse mentions several types: 1) Olot (burnt offerings) - completely consumed on the altar, 2) Zevachim (sacrifices) - partially burned and partially eaten, 3) Ma'aserot (tithes) - agricultural gifts, 4) Terumat yad (hand offerings) - voluntary gifts, and 5) Nedarim (vows) - promised donations. Each has specific halachot (laws) discussed in the Talmud.

Q: How does this verse apply today without the Temple?
A: While we cannot bring sacrifices today, the principle of centralized worship continues through our focus on Jerusalem in prayer (facing Jerusalem during Shemoneh Esrei) and our longing for the rebuilding of the Temple. The Talmud teaches that prayer now substitutes for sacrifices (Berachot 26b). We also fulfill aspects of this mitzvah through supporting Torah institutions (modern 'terumah') and charitable giving.

Q: What does it mean that God will 'cause His name to dwell' in this place?
A: The Shechinah (Divine Presence) rested in the Temple in a unique way, as explained in the Midrash. This doesn't mean God is limited to one place (He is omnipresent), but that the Temple was where His presence was most manifest. The Ramban teaches this special revelation allowed for greater connection between the Jewish people and Hashem.