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Deuteronomy 30:20 - Choose life, love Hashem forever

Deuteronomy 30:20 - דברים 30:20

Hebrew Text

לְאַהֲבָה אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לִשְׁמֹעַ בְּקֹלוֹ וּלְדָבְקָה־בוֹ כִּי הוּא חַיֶּיךָ וְאֹרֶךְ יָמֶיךָ לָשֶׁבֶת עַל־הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע יְהוָה לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיַעֲקֹב לָתֵת לָהֶם׃

English Translation

that thou mayst love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayst obey his voice, and that thou mayst cleave to him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayst dwell in the land which the Lord swore to thy fathers, to Avraham, to Yiżĥaq, and to Ya῾aqov, to give them.

Transliteration

Le'ahava et-Adonai Elohecha lishmoa be'kolo ul'davka-bo ki hu chayecha ve'orech yamecha lashevet al-ha'adama asher nishba Adonai la'avotecha le'Avraham le'Yitzchak ule'Ya'akov latet lahem.

Hebrew Leining Text

לְאַֽהֲבָה֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ בְּקֹל֖וֹ וּלְדׇבְקָה־ב֑וֹ כִּ֣י ה֤וּא חַיֶּ֙יךָ֙ וְאֹ֣רֶךְ יָמֶ֔יךָ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת עַל־הָאֲדָמָ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁבַּ֨ע יְהֹוָ֧ה לַאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם לְיִצְחָ֥ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖ב לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
לְאַֽהֲבָה֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ בְּקֹל֖וֹ וּלְדׇבְקָה־ב֑וֹ כִּ֣י ה֤וּא חַיֶּ֙יךָ֙ וְאֹ֣רֶךְ יָמֶ֔יךָ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת עַל־הָאֲדָמָ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁבַּ֨ע יְהֹוָ֧ה לַאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם לְיִצְחָ֥ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖ב לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Love for Hashem

The verse commands us "to love Hashem your God," which Rashi explains (Devarim 6:5) as performing mitzvot out of love rather than mere obligation. The Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:1-2) elaborates that this love is achieved through deep contemplation of Hashem's greatness as reflected in creation and Torah study.

Listening to Hashem's Voice

The phrase "to listen to His voice" refers to Torah observance. The Sifrei (Eikev 49) connects this to both positive and negative commandments. The Ramban (Devarim 11:22) notes that this listening must be with complete attention and submission to the divine will.

Cleaving to Hashem

The instruction "to cleave to Him" is explained by the Talmud (Ketubot 111b) as attaching oneself to Torah scholars and their ways. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:2) extends this to emulating Hashem's attributes of kindness and mercy in our daily conduct.

Divine Source of Life

The declaration "for He is your life" is interpreted by the Baal HaTurim as meaning that Torah study gives life to those who engage in it. The Midrash Tanchuma (Nitzavim 1) teaches that just as water is essential for physical life, Torah is essential for spiritual life.

Connection to the Land

The promise of dwelling in Eretz Yisrael is conditional on this relationship with Hashem. The Sforno explains that proper observance leads to both spiritual and physical blessings in the land. The mention of the Avot emphasizes that our right to the land stems from the covenant established with our forefathers.

Practical Applications

  • Daily Torah study to cultivate love of Hashem (Rambam Hilchot Talmud Torah 1:8)
  • Prayer with proper intention as a form of cleaving to Hashem (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 98:1)
  • Performance of mitzvot with joy as an expression of divine connection (Devarim 28:47 with Rashi)
  • Association with righteous individuals to strengthen our bond with Hashem (Pirkei Avot 1:4)

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 14a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the importance of loving God and cleaving to Him, emphasizing that this is the essence of life and the key to dwelling in the land promised to the patriarchs.
📖 Yevamot 109b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the mitzvah of loving God and the consequences of failing to adhere to His commandments.
📖 Kiddushin 30a
The verse is mentioned in the discussion about the importance of Torah study and the love of God as fundamental aspects of Jewish life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean to 'love Hashem your God' according to Orthodox Judaism?
A: In Orthodox Judaism, loving Hashem means serving Him with joy, fulfilling His commandments (mitzvot) wholeheartedly, and recognizing His kindness in our lives. The Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:1-2) explains that we achieve this love by studying Torah and appreciating Hashem's wisdom in creation. Rashi (Devarim 6:5) adds that our actions should inspire others to love Hashem as well.
Q: Why does the verse say 'for He is your life'?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 61b) teaches that 'He is your life' means that true life comes from connecting to Hashem through Torah and mitzvot. The Sifrei (Devarim 32:47) explains that this refers to both spiritual vitality in this world and eternal reward in the World to Come. The verse emphasizes that our deepest fulfillment comes from this relationship.
Q: How do we 'cleave to Hashem' in daily life?
A: Rashi (Devarim 11:22) explains that we cleave to Hashem by attaching ourselves to Torah scholars and their ways. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:2) adds that this means emulating Hashem's attributes of kindness and mercy in our interactions. Practically, this includes regular Torah study, prayer with intention, and performing acts of kindness (gemilut chasadim).
Q: What is the connection between loving Hashem and dwelling in the Land of Israel?
A: The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 43) teaches that the Land of Israel is uniquely suited for spiritual growth and fulfilling mitzvot. By loving Hashem and keeping His commandments, we merit to dwell securely in the land promised to our forefathers. The verse connects our spiritual commitment with the physical blessing of the land, showing that our relationship with Hashem affects all aspects of life.
Q: Why does the verse mention the forefathers (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov)?
A: The forefathers established our eternal covenant with Hashem through their devotion. Rashi (Devarim 30:20) notes that mentioning them reminds us of their merit which continues to benefit their descendants. The Talmud (Shabbat 30a) teaches that we should emulate their traits: Avraham's kindness, Yitzchak's self-sacrifice, and Yaakov's Torah study. Their legacy inspires our own service of Hashem.