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Deuteronomy 30:17 - Heart strays, consequences follow?

Deuteronomy 30:17 - דברים 30:17

Hebrew Text

וְאִם־יִפְנֶה לְבָבְךָ וְלֹא תִשְׁמָע וְנִדַּחְתָּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתָ לֵאלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים וַעֲבַדְתָּם׃

English Translation

But if thy heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

Transliteration

Ve-im yifne levavekha ve-lo tishma ve-nidachta ve-hishtachavita lelohim acheirim va-avadtam

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם־יִפְנֶ֥ה לְבָבְךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א תִשְׁמָ֑ע וְנִדַּחְתָּ֗ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֛יתָ לֵאלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים וַעֲבַדְתָּֽם׃
וְאִם־יִפְנֶ֥ה לְבָבְךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א תִשְׁמָ֑ע וְנִדַּחְתָּ֗ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֛יתָ לֵאלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים וַעֲבַדְתָּֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse

The verse (Devarim 30:17) warns against the spiritual dangers of turning away from Hashem and serving other gods. It describes a progression of spiritual decline: first, the heart turns away, leading to a refusal to listen to the Torah's commandments, and ultimately resulting in idol worship. This reflects the gradual nature of sin, as emphasized in Jewish thought.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וְאִם־יִפְנֶה לְבָבְךָ" ("if your heart turns away") refers to a person distancing themselves from Hashem and no longer accepting the yoke of Heaven. He notes that this leads to "וְלֹא תִשְׁמָע" ("you will not listen"), meaning one will disregard the words of the Sages and the mitzvot. Rashi further connects this to the next phrase, "וְנִדַּחְתָּ" ("you will be drawn away"), interpreting it as being led astray by false prophets or misleading influences.

Rambam’s Perspective

In Hilchot Avodah Zarah (Laws of Idolatry), the Rambam (Maimonides) discusses how idolatry often begins with small deviations from proper belief. He explains that the yetzer hara (evil inclination) gradually leads a person astray, starting with subtle doubts and culminating in full-blown idol worship. This aligns with the verse’s progression from a turned heart to outright avodah zarah.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) elaborates that the phrase "וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתָ לֵאלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים" ("you will bow to other gods") does not necessarily mean literal idol worship but can also refer to prioritizing worldly pursuits over divine service. For example, one who places wealth, power, or personal desires above Torah observance is, in a sense, serving "other gods."

Talmudic Interpretation

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 102b) teaches that the inclination toward idolatry is particularly dangerous because it can deceive a person into believing they are still connected to Hashem while actually engaging in forbidden practices. The verse serves as a warning to remain vigilant against such self-deception.

Practical Lessons

  • Guard the Heart: The verse underscores the importance of maintaining proper focus in avodat Hashem, as small deviations can lead to major transgressions.
  • Listen to Torah Guidance: Ignoring the words of the Sages (as implied by "לֹא תִשְׁמָע") weakens one’s spiritual defenses.
  • Recognize Spiritual Decline: The progression in the verse teaches that sin often begins subtly, emphasizing the need for constant self-examination.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 30:17 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 30:17 warns against turning away from Hashem and being drawn to worship other gods. It emphasizes the importance of keeping one's heart focused on Torah and mitzvot. Rashi explains that this verse highlights the danger of allowing one's desires to lead them astray from serving Hashem properly.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it underscores the fundamental Jewish principle of loyalty to Hashem and rejection of idolatry. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah) teaches that avoiding idol worship is one of the most serious commandments, and this verse serves as a strong warning against it.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 30:17 today?
A: We learn that maintaining proper focus in our service of Hashem requires constant vigilance. The Sages teach that 'other gods' can refer not just to idols, but to anything that distracts us from Torah values. Today, this reminds us to examine what might be pulling our hearts away from spiritual growth.
Q: How does the Torah describe someone turning away from Hashem?
A: The verse describes it as a process: first the heart turns, then one stops listening to Torah guidance, then one is drawn after foreign influences, and finally engages in idol worship. The Talmud (Sotah 3a) explains that sin begins with small steps that can lead a person far from proper conduct if not checked.
Q: What does 'if your heart turns away' teach us about free will?
A: This phrase teaches that Hashem gives us complete free will to choose our path. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 5:1) explains that every person has the ability to incline themselves toward good or evil. This verse warns about the consequences of making wrong choices while affirming our power to choose.