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Deuteronomy 29:17 - Beware idolatry's bitter roots?

Deuteronomy 29:17 - דברים 29:17

Hebrew Text

פֶּן־יֵשׁ בָּכֶם אִישׁ אוֹ־אִשָּׁה אוֹ מִשְׁפָּחָה אוֹ־שֵׁבֶט אֲשֶׁר לְבָבוֹ פֹנֶה הַיּוֹם מֵעִם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ לָלֶכֶת לַעֲבֹד אֶת־אֱלֹהֵי הַגּוֹיִם הָהֵם פֶּן־יֵשׁ בָּכֶם שֹׁרֶשׁ פֹּרֶה רֹאשׁ וְלַעֲנָה׃

English Translation

lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turns away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that bears gall and wormwood;

Transliteration

Pen-yesh bakhem ish o-ishah o-mishpakha o-shevet asher levavo foneh hayom meim Adonai Eloheinu lalechet laavod et-elohei hagoyim hahem pen-yesh bakhem shoresh poreh rosh velaanah.

Hebrew Leining Text

פֶּן־יֵ֣שׁ בָּ֠כֶ֠ם אִ֣ישׁ אֽוֹ־אִשָּׁ֞ה א֧וֹ מִשְׁפָּחָ֣ה אוֹ־שֵׁ֗בֶט אֲשֶׁר֩ לְבָב֨וֹ פֹנֶ֤ה הַיּוֹם֙ מֵעִם֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ לָלֶ֣כֶת לַעֲבֹ֔ד אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֖י הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָהֵ֑ם פֶּן־יֵ֣שׁ בָּכֶ֗ם שֹׁ֛רֶשׁ פֹּרֶ֥ה רֹ֖אשׁ וְלַעֲנָֽה׃
פֶּן־יֵ֣שׁ בָּ֠כֶ֠ם אִ֣ישׁ אֽוֹ־אִשָּׁ֞ה א֧וֹ מִשְׁפָּחָ֣ה אוֹ־שֵׁ֗בֶט אֲשֶׁר֩ לְבָב֨וֹ פֹנֶ֤ה הַיּוֹם֙ מֵעִם֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ לָלֶ֣כֶת לַעֲבֹ֔ד אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֖י הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָהֵ֑ם פֶּן־יֵ֣שׁ בָּכֶ֗ם שֹׁ֛רֶשׁ פֹּרֶ֥ה רֹ֖אשׁ וְלַעֲנָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and Source

The verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 29:17, as part of Moshe Rabbeinu's final address to Bnei Yisrael before they enter Eretz Yisrael. Moshe warns the people against idolatry and the spiritual dangers of turning away from Hashem. The imagery of a "root that bears gall and wormwood" (שֹׁרֶשׁ פֹּרֶה רֹאשׁ וְלַעֲנָה) is a metaphor for the corrupting influence of heresy and sin within the community.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "whose heart turns away this day from the Lord our God" refers to someone who harbors doubts or rebellion in their heart, even if they outwardly appear righteous. The term "root that bears gall and wormwood" alludes to a person whose sinful behavior spreads like a bitter root, influencing others negatively (Rashi on Devarim 29:17).

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides), in Hilchot Avodat Kochavim, emphasizes the severity of idolatry and the need to eradicate any influence of foreign worship within the community. He interprets this verse as a warning against allowing even a single individual or family to lead others astray, as their corruption can spread like a bitter root (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Avodah Zarah 4:6).

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash Tanchuma (Kedoshim 8) compares the "root" to a small sin that, if left unchecked, grows into a larger transgression. Just as gall and wormwood are bitter and harmful, so too is the influence of someone who turns away from Hashem—their actions can poison the entire community.

Talmudic Insights

  • The Gemara (Sanhedrin 29a) discusses the communal responsibility to rebuke and correct those who stray, as their actions endanger the spiritual well-being of Klal Yisrael.
  • The metaphor of the bitter root is also linked to the concept of "machti et harabim" (one who causes the masses to sin), which the Talmud considers a grave offense (Avot 5:18).

Practical Lessons

This verse serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of spiritual complacency and the need for vigilance in maintaining faith. It teaches that even a single individual or family can have a far-reaching impact—either for good or, chas v'shalom, for harm. The imagery of the bitter root underscores the importance of uprooting negative influences before they take hold.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 29:17 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 29:17 warns the Jewish people against turning away from Hashem to worship the gods of other nations. It cautions that even a single person, family, or tribe with such thoughts can spread negativity like a 'root that bears gall and wormwood'—symbolizing bitterness and corruption. Rashi explains that this verse emphasizes the danger of hidden disloyalty to Hashem, which can grow and harm the entire community if not addressed.
Q: Why is the phrase 'root that bears gall and wormwood' used in this verse?
A: The metaphor of a 'root that bears gall and wormwood' (שֹׁרֶשׁ פֹּרֶה רֹאשׁ וְלַעֲנָה) describes how even a small negative influence—like idolatrous thoughts—can spread bitterness and destruction, just as a poisonous plant grows from a hidden root. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 30a) teaches that sin, if unchecked, can multiply and affect others. Gall and wormwood represent the spiritual and moral damage caused by abandoning Torah values.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This verse reminds us to guard our hearts and communities against influences that pull us away from Torah observance. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 2:2-3) teaches that even subtle distractions—like modern 'idols' such as materialism or harmful ideologies—can lead us astray. We must strengthen our commitment to Hashem and ensure our families and communities remain rooted in Torah values.
Q: What is the significance of mentioning individuals, families, and tribes in this warning?
A: The verse specifies 'man, woman, family, or tribe' to show that disloyalty to Hashem can start with one person but eventually impact larger groups. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 29:17) highlights that sin spreads like a chain reaction—first affecting individuals, then families, and ultimately entire tribes. This teaches the collective responsibility to uphold Torah values and correct wrongdoing before it grows.