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Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose life, ensure future blessings

Deuteronomy 30:19 - דברים 30:19

Hebrew Text

הַעִידֹתִי בָכֶם הַיּוֹם אֶת־הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַחַיִּים וְהַמָּוֶת נָתַתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ הַבְּרָכָה וְהַקְּלָלָה וּבָחַרְתָּ בַּחַיִּים לְמַעַן תִּחְיֶה אַתָּה וְזַרְעֶךָ׃

English Translation

I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you, that I have set before thee life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Transliteration

Ha'idoti vachem hayom et-hashamayim ve'et-ha'aretz, hachayim vehamavet natati lefanecha habracha vehaklala, uvacharta bachayim lema'an tichyeh atah vezar'echa.

Hebrew Leining Text

הַעִדֹ֨תִי בָכֶ֣ם הַיּוֹם֮ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֒רֶץ֒ הַחַיִּ֤ים וְהַמָּ֙וֶת֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙ בַּחַיִּ֔ים לְמַ֥עַן תִּֽחְיֶ֖ה אַתָּ֥ה וְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃
הַעִדֹ֨תִי בָכֶ֣ם הַיּוֹם֮ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֒רֶץ֒ הַחַיִּ֤ים וְהַמָּ֙וֶת֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙ בַּחַיִּ֔ים לְמַ֥עַן תִּֽחְיֶ֖ה אַתָּ֥ה וְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Devarim

This verse (Devarim 30:19) appears in Moshe Rabbeinu's final address to Bnei Yisrael before his passing. It serves as a climactic call to uphold the covenant, framing the Torah's commandments as a choice between life and death, blessing and curse. Rashi explains that Moshe uses the heavens and earth as witnesses because they are eternal, symbolizing the enduring nature of the covenant.

The Dual Witnesses: Shamayim and Aretz

The Ramban notes that the heavens and earth are called as witnesses because they are constant and unchanging, unlike human witnesses who may perish. The Midrash Tanchuma (Nitzavim 3) elaborates that these witnesses will themselves testify against Israel if they stray from the Torah - the heavens by withholding rain and the earth by withholding produce.

The Choice Between Life and Death

The Sforno explains that "life" refers to spiritual vitality through Torah observance, while "death" represents spiritual decay through abandonment of mitzvot. The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 5:1) emphasizes that every Jew has free will to choose between these paths.

  • Brachah and Klalah: Ibn Ezra interprets these not merely as reward and punishment, but as natural consequences - mitzvot bring harmony (brachah) while aveiros disrupt the spiritual order (klalah).
  • Uvacharta Bachayim: The Kli Yakar questions why we're commanded to choose life when this seems obvious, answering that the yetzer hara makes evil appear as "life" - the Torah guides us to recognize true life in divine service.

Legacy for Future Generations

The phrase "that you and your offspring may live" demonstrates the intergenerational impact of this choice. The Meshech Chochmah explains that choosing Torah life ensures both physical continuity of the Jewish people and the transmission of spiritual values to future generations.

Halachic Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 557) derives from this verse the obligation to make conscious ethical choices aligned with Torah values. The Vilna Gaon notes that the word "hayom" (this day) teaches that this decision must be renewed daily, as each day presents new spiritual challenges and opportunities.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 14a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the importance of choosing life and following God's commandments, emphasizing the moral responsibility to make righteous choices.
📖 Kiddushin 30b
Referenced in the context of the yetzer hara (evil inclination) and the human struggle between good and evil, illustrating the choice between life (good) and death (evil).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'I call heaven and earth to witness' mean in Deuteronomy 30:19?
A: In this verse, Hashem uses heaven and earth as eternal witnesses to the covenant between Him and the Jewish people. Rashi explains that these witnesses are chosen because they are always present—unlike human witnesses who eventually pass away. This emphasizes the everlasting nature of the Torah's commandments and the importance of our choices.
Q: Why does the Torah say 'choose life' if living seems obvious?
A: The Rambam teaches that while living is natural, the Torah instructs us to consciously choose a life of mitzvot and connection to Hashem. 'Choosing life' means actively pursuing Torah values, morality, and spiritual growth—not just physical survival. The Sforno adds that this choice impacts not only us but future generations ('that you and your offspring may live').
Q: How do we 'choose life' in daily life according to Jewish tradition?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 32b) teaches that 'choosing life' means making decisions aligned with Torah—studying Torah, performing mitzvot, and avoiding sin. Practical examples include speaking kindly (avoiding 'death of the tongue' as per Chofetz Chaim), eating kosher food to sanctify physical life, and prioritizing spiritual growth. Every moral choice is an opportunity to 'choose life.'
Q: What is the significance of the pairing 'blessing and curse' in this verse?
A: The Ibn Ezra explains that this dichotomy illustrates the consequences of our free will. Blessings flow from following Hashem's commandments (Devarim 28:1-14), while curses result from abandoning them (28:15-68). The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) stresses that Hashem desires we choose the blessing—but the choice is ours, showing the dignity He grants human responsibility.
Q: How does this verse relate to teshuvah (repentance)?
A: The verse appears in the context of returning to Hashem (Devarim 30:2-10). Ramban explains that even after straying, we're always invited to 'choose life' anew through teshuvah. The Lubavitcher Rebbe emphasized that this verse is read before Rosh Hashanah to remind us that repentance—choosing spiritual life—is always possible, aligning our will with Hashem's desire for our good.