share torah logo

Deuteronomy 29:24 - Abandoned covenant's dire consequences?

Deuteronomy 29:24 - דברים 29:24

Hebrew Text

וְאָמְרוּ עַל אֲשֶׁר עָזְבוּ אֶת־בְּרִית יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתָם אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת עִמָּם בְּהוֹצִיאוֹ אֹתָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Miżrayim:

Transliteration

Ve'amru al asher azvu et-brit Adonai Elohei avotam asher karat imam behotzio otam me'eretz Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאָ֣מְר֔וּ עַ֚ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָזְב֔וּ אֶת־בְּרִ֥ית יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁר֙ כָּרַ֣ת עִמָּ֔ם בְּהוֹצִיא֥וֹ אֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וְאָ֣מְר֔וּ עַ֚ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָזְב֔וּ אֶת־בְּרִ֥ית יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁר֙ כָּרַ֣ת עִמָּ֔ם בְּהוֹצִיא֥וֹ אֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse in Context

The verse (Devarim 29:24) appears in the context of the Tochacha (the rebuke), where Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael of the consequences of abandoning the covenant with Hashem. The phrase "Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers" emphasizes the severity of breaking the brit (covenant) established at Har Sinai and reinforced before entering Eretz Yisrael.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the term "בְּרִית יְהוָה" (covenant of the Lord) refers specifically to the acceptance of the Torah and its mitzvot. He notes that the covenant was not only made with the generation that left Mitzrayim but also with all future generations, as stated in Devarim 29:13-14. Thus, abandoning the Torah constitutes a rejection of this eternal covenant.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Teshuva (Laws of Repentance), the Rambam teaches that the consequences described in this verse stem from a collective turning away from Torah observance. He emphasizes that the covenant is binding, and its abandonment leads to exile and suffering, as detailed in the Tochacha.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Nitzavim 1) compares the covenant to a rope tying Bnei Yisrael to Hashem. When they forsake it, the bond is severed, leading to spiritual and physical exile.
  • Sifrei Devarim highlights that the phrase "אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתָם" (God of their fathers) reminds us that the covenant is not new—it is rooted in the legacy of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, making its abandonment a betrayal of ancestral tradition.

The Covenant at Yetziat Mitzrayim

The verse specifies that the covenant was made "when He brought them out of the land of Mitzrayim." The Malbim explains that Yetziat Mitzrayim was not merely a physical redemption but a spiritual one, marking Bnei Yisrael as Hashem's chosen people. Forsaking the covenant negates the very purpose of their liberation.

Practical Implications

This verse serves as a timeless warning: adherence to the Torah is the foundation of our relationship with Hashem. The Kli Yakar adds that the use of the term "אֲבֹתָם" (their fathers) underscores that Torah observance is not optional but an inheritance passed down through generations.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'forsaking the covenant of the Lord' mean in Deuteronomy 29:24?
A: In Deuteronomy 29:24, 'forsaking the covenant' refers to the Jewish people abandoning their commitment to the Torah and mitzvot (commandments) that Hashem established with them at Mount Sinai. Rashi explains that this verse warns against turning away from Torah observance, which is the foundation of our relationship with Hashem.
Q: Why is the Exodus from Egypt mentioned in Deuteronomy 29:24?
A: The Exodus from Egypt is mentioned here to remind the Jewish people of Hashem's great kindness in freeing them from slavery and establishing a covenant with them. The Rambam teaches that remembering the Exodus is a constant obligation because it reinforces our gratitude and commitment to Hashem's commandments.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 29:24 today?
A: This verse teaches us the importance of loyalty to our covenant with Hashem. The Sages explain that just as our ancestors were accountable for upholding the Torah, so too must we remain steadfast in our observance and connection to Hashem, especially in times of challenge or distraction.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 29:24 relate to Jewish history?
A: This verse prophetically alludes to the destruction of the First and Second Temples, which our tradition connects to the Jewish people straying from Torah observance. The Talmud (Nedarim 81a) discusses how neglecting Torah study and mitzvot can lead to exile, showing the timeless relevance of this warning.
Q: What is the 'covenant' referred to in Deuteronomy 29:24?
A: The covenant refers to the eternal bond between Hashem and the Jewish people established at Mount Sinai, where we received the Torah. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) emphasizes that this covenant includes all generations of Jews, obligating us to keep the Torah's commandments as our ancestors did.