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Deuteronomy 13:4 - Test of true devotion?

Deuteronomy 13:4 - דברים 13:4

Hebrew Text

לֹא תִשְׁמַע אֶל־דִּבְרֵי הַנָּבִיא הַהוּא אוֹ אֶל־חוֹלֵם הַחֲלוֹם הַהוּא כִּי מְנַסֶּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֶתְכֶם לָדַעַת הֲיִשְׁכֶם אֹהֲבִים אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם בְּכָל־לְבַבְכֶם וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁכֶם׃

English Translation

thou shalt not hearken to the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God puts you to the proof, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Transliteration

Lo tishma el-divrei ha-navi ha-hu o el-cholem ha-chalom ha-hu ki menaseh Adonai Eloheichem etchem ladaat ha-yishchem ohavim et-Adonai Eloheichem bechol-levavchem uvechol-nafshechem.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹ֣א תִשְׁמַ֗ע אֶל־דִּבְרֵי֙ הַנָּבִ֣יא הַה֔וּא א֛וֹ אֶל־חוֹלֵ֥ם הַחֲל֖וֹם הַה֑וּא כִּ֣י מְנַסֶּ֞ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם לָדַ֗עַת הֲיִשְׁכֶ֤ם אֹֽהֲבִים֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃
לֹ֣א תִשְׁמַ֗ע אֶל־דִּבְרֵי֙ הַנָּבִ֣יא הַה֔וּא א֛וֹ אֶל־חוֹלֵ֥ם הַחֲל֖וֹם הַה֑וּא כִּ֣י מְנַסֶּ֞ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם לָדַ֗עַת הֲיִשְׁכֶ֤ם אֹֽהֲבִים֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Prohibition Against False Prophets

The verse (Devarim 13:4) warns against heeding a false prophet or dreamer, even if they perform signs and wonders. Rashi explains that this refers to a prophet who attempts to lead Israel astray to worship other gods. The Torah emphasizes that such a test comes from Hashem to reveal the true devotion of Bnei Yisrael—whether they love Him "with all their heart and all their soul" (בְּכָל־לְבַבְכֶם וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁכֶם).

The Divine Test (נִסָּיוֹן)

The Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 5:3) elaborates that Hashem permits false prophets to arise as a means of testing our commitment. This follows the principle of free will (בְּחִירָה חָפְשִׁית), as without the possibility of deception, true loyalty cannot be demonstrated. The Sforno adds that this trial is not for Hashem’s knowledge—for He knows all—but to actualize our potential for unwavering faith.

Loving Hashem with Full Devotion

The phrase "with all your heart and all your soul" is central to this mitzvah. The Talmud (Berachot 54a) teaches that loving Hashem "with all your soul" means being prepared for martyrdom (מְסִירוּת נֶפֶשׁ) if necessary, as seen in the story of Rabbi Akiva. The Ramban explains that this love must be wholehearted, without reservation, even in the face of temptation or miraculous deception.

Halachic Implications

  • The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 434) states that one who follows a false prophet violates this prohibition, even if they do not actually worship idols, because they have shown susceptibility to straying from Hashem.
  • The Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 8:1-2) rules that a prophet who contradicts the Torah’s laws is immediately identifiable as false, regardless of any miracles performed.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash Tanchuma (Re’eh 8) compares this test to a king who warns his son about a deceitful advisor. Though the advisor may speak sweetly, the son must remain loyal to his father’s teachings. Similarly, Bnei Yisrael must cling to Torah truth, rejecting even seemingly convincing falsehoods.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 90a
The verse is discussed in the context of false prophets and the criteria for identifying them, emphasizing the importance of loyalty to God.
📖 Berakhot 12b
Referenced in a discussion about the Shema and the commandment to love God with all one's heart and soul, connecting to the verse's mention of testing one's love for God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 13:4 mean when it says not to listen to a false prophet?
A: Deuteronomy 13:4 warns against following a false prophet or dreamer who tries to lead people away from serving Hashem. According to Rashi, this verse teaches that even if the false prophet performs signs or wonders, we must remain loyal to Torah commandments. The test is to see if we truly love Hashem with all our heart and soul.
Q: Why does the Torah say Hashem is testing us with false prophets?
A: The Rambam explains in Hilchot Avodah Zarah that Hashem allows false prophets to arise as a test of our faithfulness. As Deuteronomy 13:4 states, this reveals whether we truly love Hashem completely. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 90a) teaches that these tests strengthen our commitment to Torah truth.
Q: How can we apply Deuteronomy 13:4's message today?
A: The Sforno explains that this verse remains relevant whenever people claim new revelations that contradict Torah. Today, we must evaluate all spiritual claims against Torah truth. As the verse concludes, our love for Hashem must be complete - with all our heart and soul - not swayed by temporary wonders or popular trends.
Q: What does 'love Hashem with all your heart and soul' mean in this verse?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 54a) explains that loving Hashem 'with all your heart' means serving Him with both your good and evil inclinations, while 'with all your soul' means being willing to sacrifice your life for Torah principles if necessary. Deuteronomy 13:4 shows this complete devotion is tested when facing spiritual challenges.
Q: How can we recognize a false prophet according to Jewish tradition?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 8-9) explains that even if someone performs miracles, if they try to contradict Torah law or lead people away from mitzvot, they are false prophets. Deuteronomy 13:4 teaches that miracles alone don't prove authenticity - loyalty to Torah truth is the ultimate test.