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Deuteronomy 27:3 - Torah on stones: Divine land promise?

Deuteronomy 27:3 - דברים 27:3

Hebrew Text

וְכָתַבְתָּ עֲלֵיהֶן אֶת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת בְּעָבְרֶךָ לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר תָּבֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבַשׁ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי־אֲבֹתֶיךָ לָךְ׃

English Translation

and thou shalt write upon them all the words of this Tora, when thou art passed over, that thou mayst go in to the land which the Lord thy God gives thee, a land flowing with milk and honey; as the Lord God of thy fathers has promised thee.

Transliteration

Ve'khatavta aleihen et kol divrei ha'Torah ha'zot be'avarecha lema'an asher tavo el ha'aretz asher Adonai Elohecha noten lecha eretz zavat chalav u'dvash ka'asher diber Adonai Elohei avotekha lakh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְכָתַבְתָּ֣ עֲלֵיהֶ֗ן אֶֽת־כׇּל־דִּבְרֵ֛י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בְּעׇבְרֶ֑ךָ לְמַ֡עַן אֲשֶׁר֩ תָּבֹ֨א אֶל־הָאָ֜רֶץ אֲֽשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֣יךָ <b>׀</b> נֹתֵ֣ן לְךָ֗ אֶ֣רֶץ זָבַ֤ת חָלָב֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ לָֽךְ׃
וְכָתַבְתָּ֣ עֲלֵיהֶ֗ן אֶֽת־כׇּל־דִּבְרֵ֛י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בְּעׇבְרֶ֑ךָ לְמַ֡עַן אֲשֶׁר֩ תָּבֹ֨א אֶל־הָאָ֜רֶץ אֲֽשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֣יךָ ׀ נֹתֵ֣ן לְךָ֗ אֶ֣רֶץ זָבַ֤ת חָלָב֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ לָֽךְ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Devarim 27:3) appears in the context of Moshe's instructions to Bnei Yisrael regarding the mitzvah of writing the Torah on large stones upon entering Eretz Yisrael. The verse emphasizes the importance of inscribing the Torah as a public declaration of their covenant with Hashem upon entering the Promised Land.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 27:3) explains that the phrase "כָּל־דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת" ("all the words of this Torah") refers to the entire Torah being written on the stones in seventy languages. This was done so that all nations could read and understand the Torah's teachings. Rashi cites the Gemara (Sotah 32a) as his source, which discusses how the Torah was publicly displayed to fulfill the mitzvah of "בַּאֵר הֵיטֵב" (explaining clearly).

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Melachim (8:10), Rambam codifies this mitzvah, stating that when Bnei Yisrael entered the land, they were commanded to set up large stones on Har Eival, plaster them, and write the Torah upon them. Rambam emphasizes that this was a one-time commandment for that generation, serving as a public reaffirmation of their acceptance of the Torah upon entering Eretz Yisrael.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Ki Tavo 1) connects this mitzvah to the idea of renewing the covenant—just as the Torah was given at Har Sinai with a public declaration, so too must it be reaffirmed upon entering the land.
  • The phrase "אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבַשׁ" ("a land flowing with milk and honey") is interpreted in Midrash Rabbah (Devarim 3:10) as a metaphor for the Torah itself—milk represents the nourishing simplicity of mitzvot, while honey symbolizes the sweetness of Torah wisdom.

Purpose of the Mitzvah

The Ibn Ezra (Devarim 27:3) explains that writing the Torah on stones served as a permanent testimony to future generations, ensuring that the covenant would not be forgotten. The stones were placed conspicuously (as per Yehoshua 8:32) so that all who passed by would see and remember their obligations under the Torah.

Halachic Significance

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 530) discusses this mitzvah as a lesson in public Torah education. By displaying the Torah openly, Bnei Yisrael demonstrated that Torah is not confined to scholars but must be accessible to all. This aligns with the principle of "וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ" (teaching Torah diligently to one's children).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 32a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the writing of the Torah on stones upon entering the Land of Israel, emphasizing the commandment to inscribe the words of the Torah as part of the covenantal process.
📖 Sanhedrin 21b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the obligation to write a Torah scroll, linking it to the broader commandment of teaching and preserving the Torah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'write upon them all the words of this Torah' mean in Deuteronomy 27:3?
A: This refers to the commandment to inscribe the entire Torah on large stones after crossing the Jordan River into Israel. Rashi explains that the words were written in all 70 languages of the world (based on Sotah 32a) so all nations could understand. The Rambam (Hil. Melachim 8:10) states this was done on plaster-covered stones.
Q: Why does the verse mention 'a land flowing with milk and honey'?
A: This poetic description emphasizes the fertility and abundance of the Land of Israel. The Talmud (Ketubot 111b) explains that 'milk' refers to the richness of fruits that were as sweet as milk, and 'honey' refers to date honey (not bee honey). This was meant to inspire the Israelites about the goodness awaiting them.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: The verse teaches the importance of publicly displaying Torah values when entering a new situation (like the Israelites entering Israel). The Midrash (Sifrei) connects this to always keeping Torah central in our lives. Just as they inscribed Torah on stones when entering the land, we should make Torah principles visible in our homes and communities.