share torah logo

Deuteronomy 28:64 - Exile's spiritual danger warning

Deuteronomy 28:64 - דברים 28:64

Hebrew Text

וֶהֱפִיצְךָ יְהוָה בְּכָל־הָעַמִּים מִקְצֵה הָאָרֶץ וְעַד־קְצֵה הָאָרֶץ וְעָבַדְתָּ שָּׁם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַעְתָּ אַתָּה וַאֲבֹתֶיךָ עֵץ וָאָבֶן׃

English Translation

And the Lord shall scatter thee among all peoples, from the one end of the earth to the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, wood and stone.

Transliteration

Vehefitzkha Adonai bekhol-ha'amim mik'tze ha'aretz ve'ad-k'tze ha'aretz ve'avadta sham elohim acherim asher lo-yadata atah va'avotekha etz va'aven.

Hebrew Leining Text

וֶהֱפִֽיצְךָ֤ יְהֹוָה֙ בְּכׇל־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים מִקְצֵ֥ה הָאָ֖רֶץ וְעַד־קְצֵ֣ה הָאָ֑רֶץ וְעָבַ֨דְתָּ שָּׁ֜ם אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹא־יָדַ֛עְתָּ אַתָּ֥ה וַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ עֵ֥ץ וָאָֽבֶן׃
וֶהֱפִֽיצְךָ֤ יְהֹוָה֙ בְּכׇל־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים מִקְצֵ֥ה הָאָ֖רֶץ וְעַד־קְצֵ֣ה הָאָ֑רֶץ וְעָבַ֨דְתָּ שָּׁ֜ם אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹא־יָדַ֛עְתָּ אַתָּ֥ה וַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ עֵ֥ץ וָאָֽבֶן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 28:64 as part of the Tochacha (the Admonition), a section detailing the consequences of abandoning the covenant with Hashem. The Torah warns that if Bnei Yisrael stray from the mitzvot, they will be exiled and scattered among the nations.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the phrase "וֶהֱפִיצְךָ יְהוָה בְּכָל־הָעַמִּים" ("And the Lord shall scatter thee among all peoples") refers to the Jewish people being dispersed so widely that no single nation will bear the full burden of their exile. This ensures that no single nation can claim to have utterly destroyed the Jewish people, preserving the possibility of future redemption.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Teshuva (Laws of Repentance), the Rambam teaches that exile is a consequence of idolatry and other sins. The verse's mention of serving "אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים" ("other gods") underscores that idol worship leads to displacement and spiritual degradation. However, the Rambam also emphasizes that teshuvah (repentance) can reverse these curses.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash Sifrei comments on the phrase "עֵץ וָאָבֶן" ("wood and stone"), noting that these materials symbolize the emptiness of idolatry—unlike Hashem, who is eternal and omnipotent, idols are lifeless and powerless. The scattering among nations serves as a corrective measure, exposing Bnei Yisrael to the futility of foreign worship.

Talmudic Insight

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a) connects this verse to the concept of Jewish unity. Even in exile, the Jewish people remain interconnected—"scattered... from one end of the earth to the other" implies that no matter how far apart, Jews share a collective destiny and responsibility for one another.

Practical Lessons

  • Exile as a Consequence: The verse reminds us that abandoning Torah leads to displacement and spiritual challenges.
  • Idolatry's Futility: Serving "wood and stone" highlights the emptiness of materialism and false ideologies.
  • Hope in Redemption: As Rashi notes, dispersion prevents total annihilation, hinting at the eventual ingathering of exiles.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 110b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the consequences of idolatry and the scattering of the Jewish people.
📖 Avodah Zarah 5a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the prohibition of idol worship and the historical context of the Jewish people's exile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:64 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 28:64 is part of the 'Tochecha' (the rebuke), where Moshe warns the Jewish people of the consequences if they do not follow Hashem's commandments. This verse specifically describes the exile (Galut) where the Jewish people will be scattered among the nations and, in their distress, may be tempted to serve foreign gods ('wood and stone'). Rashi explains that this refers to idol worship, which is completely forbidden in Judaism.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it serves as a warning about the spiritual dangers of exile. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah) emphasizes that even under difficult circumstances, Jews must remain faithful to Hashem and avoid idolatry. Historically, this verse has been seen as a prophecy of the Jewish people's suffering in exile, reinforcing the need for Torah observance to prevent such tragedies.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: This verse reminds Jews today of the importance of staying connected to Torah and mitzvot, even when living among non-Jewish cultures. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 17b) discusses how Jews in exile must be vigilant against foreign influences. Today, this means strengthening Jewish identity, learning Torah, and avoiding assimilation into secular or idolatrous practices.
Q: What does 'wood and stone' refer to in this verse?
A: The phrase 'wood and stone' refers to idols or false gods that have no real power. Rashi explains that these are man-made objects of worship, contrasting sharply with Hashem, the true G-d. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) teaches that idolatry is meaningless because these objects cannot help or harm anyone, highlighting the foolishness of abandoning Hashem for such things.
Q: Does this verse mean Jews will always be scattered?
A: No, this verse describes a consequence of disobedience, but it does not mean exile is permanent. The prophets (e.g., Yeshayahu, Yirmiyahu) promise that Hashem will eventually gather the Jewish people back to Eretz Yisrael when they repent. The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that the Torah’s warnings are conditional—if Jews return to Hashem, the exile will end with the coming of Mashiach and the final redemption.