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Deuteronomy 30:18 - Choose life or perish?

Deuteronomy 30:18 - דברים 30:18

Hebrew Text

הִגַּדְתִּי לָכֶם הַיּוֹם כִּי אָבֹד תֹּאבֵדוּן לֹא־תַאֲרִיכֻן יָמִים עַל־הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עֹבֵר אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן לָבֹא שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ׃

English Translation

I announce to you this day, that you shall surely perish, and that you shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over the Yarden to go to possess it.

Transliteration

Higadeti lachem hayom ki avod tovedun lo-ta'arichun yamim al-ha'adama asher ata over et-hayarden lavo shamah lirishtah.

Hebrew Leining Text

הִגַּ֤דְתִּי לָכֶם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם כִּ֥י אָבֹ֖ד תֹּאבֵד֑וּן לֹא־תַאֲרִיכֻ֤ן יָמִים֙ עַל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה עֹבֵר֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָב֥וֹא שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃
הִגַּ֤דְתִּי לָכֶם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם כִּ֥י אָבֹ֖ד תֹּאבֵד֑וּן לֹא־תַאֲרִיכֻ֤ן יָמִים֙ עַל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה עֹבֵר֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָב֥וֹא שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Devarim

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 4:26, where Moshe Rabbeinu warns Bnei Yisrael of the severe consequences of abandoning the covenant with Hashem. The warning is part of a broader exhortation to remain faithful to Torah observance upon entering Eretz Yisrael.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi interprets the double language of "avod toveidun" (you shall surely perish) as emphasizing the certainty of destruction if Bnei Yisrael stray from Torah. He notes that this warning applies not just to individuals, but to the collective nation—if they sin, they will be exiled from the land.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Teshuva (Laws of Repentance), the Rambam cites this verse as proof that free will is fundamental to Torah. The dire warning implies that the people have a choice—they can either observe mitzvot and merit long life in the land, or abandon Torah and face exile.

Talmudic Connection

The Talmud (Sotah 9a) links this verse to the concept of "middah k'neged middah" (measure for measure). Just as Bnei Yisrael are commanded to "prolong days" through Torah study (Devarim 6:2), abandoning Torah results in the opposite—shortened days in the land.

Midrashic Insight

The Sifrei (Devarim 29) explains that "lo ta'arichun yamim" (you shall not prolong your days) refers specifically to the eventual exile if idolatry takes root. The Midrash emphasizes that Eretz Yisrael cannot tolerate avodah zarah, and the people's tenure depends on their spiritual fidelity.

Ibn Ezra's Linguistic Note

Ibn Ezra observes that the phrase "asher ata over et haYarden" (which you cross the Jordan) uses the singular "ata" (you) to address each individual personally. This teaches that the warning applies to every Jew—no one is exempt from collective responsibility.

Practical Implications

  • The verse establishes the conditional nature of Jewish settlement in Eretz Yisrael—dependent on Torah observance
  • It serves as an eternal warning about the consequences of abandoning mitzvot
  • The doubling of "avod toveidun" teaches that both physical and spiritual destruction follow from sin

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 90b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the resurrection of the dead, emphasizing the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments.
📖 Sotah 37a
The verse is referenced in the context of the covenant between God and Israel, highlighting the conditional nature of their possession of the land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'you shall surely perish' mean in Deuteronomy 30:18?
A: Rashi explains that this is a strong warning from Hashem that if the Jewish people abandon the Torah and mitzvot, they will not merit to remain in the Land of Israel. The double language 'avod toveidun' (surely perish) emphasizes the certainty of this consequence for turning away from Torah observance.
Q: Why does the verse mention crossing the Jordan River?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 34a) notes that this verse was spoken as the Israelites were about to enter the Land of Israel. The Jordan River represented the final boundary before entering the Promised Land. The Rambam teaches that this serves as a reminder that our right to the land is conditional upon keeping the Torah.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: The Sforno explains that this principle applies in all generations - our connection to the Land of Israel and our success as a nation depends on our commitment to Torah values. Even today, Orthodox Judaism maintains that observance of mitzvot is what gives the Jewish people their spiritual strength and right to the land.
Q: What is the significance of 'not prolong your days upon the land'?
A: The Kli Yakar interprets this to mean that without Torah observance, the Jewish people won't merit long-term settlement in Israel. History has shown that when Jews strayed from Torah, they were eventually exiled. This verse teaches that our tenure in the land is directly tied to our spiritual commitment.
Q: Why does the verse say 'I announce to you this day'?
A: The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah) explains that 'this day' emphasizes the timeless nature of this message. Just as the Torah was given for all generations, this warning applies in every era. The Ohr HaChaim adds that 'this day' reminds us that our choices each day determine our relationship with Hashem and the land.