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Deuteronomy 30:16 - Choose life through Torah love

Deuteronomy 30:16 - דברים 30:16

Hebrew Text

אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם לְאַהֲבָה אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לָלֶכֶת בִּדְרָכָיו וְלִשְׁמֹר מִצְוֺתָיו וְחֻקֹּתָיו וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו וְחָיִיתָ וְרָבִיתָ וּבֵרַכְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה בָא־שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ׃

English Translation

in that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments: then thou shalt live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land into which thou goest to possess it.

Transliteration

Asher anochi metzavecha hayom le'ahava et-Adonai Eloheicha lalechet bidrachav velishmor mitzvotav vechukotav umishpatav vechayita veravita uverachecha Adonai Eloheicha ba'aretz asher-ata ba-shama lirishtah.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֮ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֔יו וְלִשְׁמֹ֛ר מִצְוֺתָ֥יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו וְחָיִ֣יתָ וְרָבִ֔יתָ וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃
אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֮ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֔יו וְלִשְׁמֹ֛ר מִצְוֺתָ֥יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו וְחָיִ֣יתָ וְרָבִ֔יתָ וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Command to Love Hashem

The verse begins with the mitzvah to love Hashem ("לְאַהֲבָה אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ"). According to Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:1-2), this love is achieved through deep contemplation of Hashem's greatness as revealed in creation and Torah. Rashi (Devarim 6:5) explains that this love manifests through performing mitzvot with enthusiasm and joy, not merely out of obligation.

Walking in Hashem's Ways

The phrase "לָלֶכֶת בִּדְרָכָיו" is interpreted by the Sifrei (Eikev 11:22) as emulating Hashem's attributes of kindness and compassion. Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 1:5-6) elaborates that just as Hashem is merciful, we must be merciful; just as He clothes the naked (as with Adam and Chava), we must clothe the naked, etc.

Categories of Divine Commandments

  • Mitzvot (מִצְוֺתָיו): Generally refers to positive commandments (Rashi, Devarim 4:2)
  • Chukim (חֻקֹּתָיו): Statutes whose reasons are not immediately apparent, such as kashrut or para aduma (Rambam, Moreh Nevuchim 3:26)
  • Mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטָיו): Logical laws like prohibitions against theft and murder (Sifrei, Re'eh 79)

The Promise of Blessing

The concluding promise ("וְחָיִיתָ וְרָבִיתָ...") is understood by the Talmud (Berachot 32b) as referring to both physical and spiritual prosperity. The Ramban (Devarim 11:21) notes that these blessings are conditional upon proper observance of Torah in Eretz Yisrael, where mitzvah observance reaches its fullest expression.

The Land as Context for Fulfillment

The phrase "בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה בָא־שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ" emphasizes that these commandments find their complete expression specifically in Eretz Yisrael. The Sifrei (Eikev 43) teaches that certain mitzvot (like terumot and ma'aserot) can only be observed in the Land, showing its centrality to Jewish spiritual life.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 31a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the importance of loving God and following His commandments, emphasizing that such actions lead to life and blessings.
📖 Kiddushin 36a
The verse is referenced in the context of the mitzvah to love God and the obligations that come with it, linking it to the broader framework of Jewish law and ethics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean to 'love the Lord your God' according to this verse?
A: According to Rashi and Rambam, loving Hashem means developing a deep, emotional connection to Him through studying Torah and performing mitzvot (commandments). The Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:2) explains that this love grows when we contemplate Hashem's greatness and wondrous creations.
Q: What are the 'ways of Hashem' that we should walk in?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 14a) explains that just as Hashem is merciful and kind, we too must emulate these attributes. Walking in His ways means acting with compassion, visiting the sick, comforting mourners, and performing acts of chesed (kindness), as these reflect Divine qualities.
Q: Why does the verse mention commandments, statutes, and judgments separately?
A: Rashi explains that 'commandments' (mitzvot) refer to logical laws like honoring parents, 'statutes' (chukim) are decrees beyond human understanding (like kashrut), and 'judgments' (mishpatim) are civil laws. Together, they represent the complete system of Torah observance that we are commanded to follow.
Q: What is the significance of the blessings mentioned in this verse?
A: The Sforno teaches that these blessings - long life, multiplication, and prosperity in the Land - are natural consequences of living according to Torah values. When we align ourselves with Hashem's will, we create the conditions for these blessings to manifest in both spiritual and physical dimensions.
Q: How can we apply this verse in our lives today?
A: The Mesillat Yesharim (Path of the Just) explains that this verse gives us a daily mission: 1) Cultivate love for Hashem through prayer and study, 2) Act with Divine attributes in all interactions, and 3) Be meticulous in mitzvah observance. This threefold approach brings holiness into every aspect of life.