share torah logo

Deuteronomy 30:12 - Torah is within human reach

Deuteronomy 30:12 - דברים 30:12

Hebrew Text

לֹא בַשָּׁמַיִם הִוא לֵאמֹר מִי יַעֲלֶה־לָּנוּ הַשָּׁמַיְמָה וְיִקָּחֶהָ לָּנוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵנוּ אֹתָהּ וְנַעֲשֶׂנָּה׃

English Translation

It is not in heaven, that thou shouldst say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?

Transliteration

Lo va'shamayim hi le'mor mi ya'aleh-lanu ha'shamayma v'yikacheha lanu v'yashmi'enu ota v'na'asena.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹ֥א בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה־לָּ֤נוּ הַשָּׁמַ֙יְמָה֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃
לֹ֥א בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה־לָּ֤נוּ הַשָּׁמַ֙יְמָה֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse in Context

The verse (Devarim 30:12) comes from Moshe's final address to Bnei Yisrael before his passing. It emphasizes the accessibility of Torah and mitzvot, countering any claim that observance is beyond human reach. Rashi explains that the Torah is not "in heaven" in the sense that its interpretation and application are no longer solely in the domain of heavenly authority but have been entrusted to the Sages of each generation to determine halacha.

Key Interpretations from Traditional Sources

  • Rashi: Cites the Talmud (Bava Metzia 59b), where this verse is invoked in the famous debate between Rabbi Eliezer and the Sages regarding the purity of a tanur shel achnai (oven). The Sages ruled that halachic decisions are made by human reasoning, not miracles, declaring, "Lo bashamayim hi"—the Torah is no longer in heaven.
  • Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 9:4): Uses this verse to establish the authority of the Sanhedrin and later halachic decisors, emphasizing that Torah law is determined through human scholarship and not through prophecy or divine intervention.
  • Sifrei (Devarim 30:12): Explains that the verse teaches that the Torah is not hidden or distant but is within the grasp of every Jew to study and fulfill.

Theological and Practical Implications

The verse underscores the principle of Torah she'ba'al peh (Oral Torah), affirming that halachic authority resides with the Sages. The Talmud (Eruvin 54b) relates this to the idea that Moshe received the entire Torah—both written and oral—at Har Sinai, and it was transmitted through the generations. This rejects any notion that new revelations or heavenly interventions are needed to interpret Torah law.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Noach 3) connects this verse to the idea that Torah was given to human beings with the understanding that they would grapple with its meaning. It compares Torah to a "treasure" that is not locked away but placed within reach, requiring effort to uncover its depths.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Metzia 59b
The verse is famously cited in the story of the Oven of Akhnai, where it is used to assert that the Torah's interpretation is not in heaven but given to human sages to decide.
📖 Eruvin 55a
The verse is referenced to emphasize that Torah study and interpretation are accessible to humans and not dependent on heavenly intervention.
📖 Nedarim 22b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the nature of Torah and its accessibility to human understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'It is not in heaven' mean in Deuteronomy 30:12?
A: The verse means that the Torah is not distant or inaccessible—it is within human reach to study and observe. Rashi explains that we don’t need prophets or heavenly beings to bring the Torah down to us because it was already given at Mount Sinai and is available for us to learn and fulfill.
Q: Why is Deuteronomy 30:12 important in Judaism?
A: This verse emphasizes that Torah observance is not beyond human capability. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 59b) famously references this verse to teach that Torah interpretation and halachic decisions are entrusted to the Sages and scholars of each generation, not to miraculous signs from heaven.
Q: What lesson can we learn from 'It is not in heaven'?
A: The verse teaches that Torah is meant to be studied and lived in our daily lives. Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Talmud Torah) stresses that every Jew has the ability and responsibility to engage with Torah, without needing supernatural intervention.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 30:12 apply to Jewish life today?
A: It reminds us that Torah learning and mitzvot are accessible to everyone. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) connects this to the idea that Torah was given in the wilderness—a public, ownerless place—to show that it belongs to all who seek it, not just elites or mystics.
Q: Does 'It is not in heaven' mean we shouldn't seek spiritual growth?
A: No—it means that spiritual growth comes through engaging with Torah in this world. The Talmud (Eruvin 55a) teaches that while Torah is 'not in heaven,' we must still strive to 'make it our own' through diligent study and practice, as it is our life and wisdom on earth.