Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Deuteronomy 30:5 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 30:5 is a promise from Hashem that He will bring the Jewish people back to the land of Israel, which their ancestors (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov) once possessed. It assures that they will inherit the land, be blessed with goodness, and multiply even more than their forefathers. Rashi explains that this refers to the eventual return from exile and the rebuilding of the Jewish nation in Eretz Yisrael.
Q: Why is Deuteronomy 30:5 important?
A: This verse is important because it reaffirms Hashem's eternal covenant with the Jewish people, promising their return to the Land of Israel even after exile. The Rambam (Maimonides) emphasizes that this promise is part of the Torah's assurance of ultimate redemption (Geulah), showing that no matter how far the Jewish people are scattered, they will always return to their homeland.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 30:5 apply today?
A: Many Orthodox Jews see this verse as a prophecy fulfilled in modern times with the return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and the establishment of the State of Israel. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a) discusses the ingathering of exiles as a sign of the coming redemption, and this verse is often cited as a source of hope and faith in Hashem's promises.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 30:5?
A: We learn that Hashem keeps His promises to the Jewish people, even after long periods of exile and hardship. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) teaches that this verse highlights divine mercy and the unbreakable bond between Hashem and the Jewish people. It also reminds us of the importance of Eretz Yisrael in Jewish destiny and the ultimate goodness Hashem has in store for His nation.
Q: Does Deuteronomy 30:5 refer to physical or spiritual blessings?
A: According to traditional Jewish interpretation, the verse includes both physical and spiritual blessings. The promise of inheriting the land and multiplying refers to physical prosperity, while 'He will do you good' (וְהֵיטִבְךָ) also implies spiritual goodness, such as Torah wisdom and closeness to Hashem. The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that true blessing encompasses both material and spiritual success in alignment with Torah values.
Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)
This verse (Devarim 30:5) appears in the section of Parshat Nitzavim, where Moshe Rabbeinu describes the future return of Bnei Yisrael to Eretz Yisrael after exile. The promise is part of the broader theme of teshuvah (repentance) and divine compassion, assuring that Hashem will ultimately gather the scattered nation back to their ancestral land.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Devarim 30:5) emphasizes that the phrase "וְהֵיטִבְךָ" ("and He will do you good") refers to material prosperity, while "וְהִרְבְּךָ מֵאֲבֹתֶיךָ" ("and multiply you more than your fathers") signifies a greater population than during the times of the Avot (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov). Rashi also notes that this promise applies specifically when Bnei Yisrael return to Hashem in complete repentance.
Rambam on Divine Promise and Teshuvah
In Hilchot Teshuvah (7:5), the Rambam connects this verse to the principle that sincere teshuvah brings about redemption. He explains that Hashem's covenant guarantees that even after exile, the Jewish people will ultimately return to Torah observance and merit restoration to Eretz Yisrael—fulfilling this prophetic assurance.
Midrashic Interpretation
The Sifrei (Devarim 305) elaborates that "וִירִשְׁתָּהּ" ("and you shall possess it") implies a permanent inheritance, unlike the initial conquest under Yehoshua, which was conditional on mitzvah observance. The future inheritance will be everlasting, as the verse concludes with a promise of abundance surpassing even the era of the Avot.
Ibn Ezra on Physical and Spiritual Blessings
Ibn Ezra (Devarim 30:5) highlights the dual nature of the blessings: "וְהֵיטִבְךָ" encompasses both physical well-being and spiritual elevation, while the multiplication of the nation ("וְהִרְבְּךָ") reflects Hashem's fulfillment of the covenant with the Avot, as stated in Bereishit (Genesis 15:5).
Chassidic Perspective (Sefat Emet)
The Sefat Emet (Devarim 30:5) teaches that this verse alludes to a future era where the Jewish people's connection to Eretz Yisrael will be inseparable from their divine service. The land itself will become a vessel for higher spiritual revelation, enabling the fulfillment of "וְהֵיטִבְךָ" in both material and transcendent dimensions.