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Deuteronomy 31:11 - Public Torah reading commandment

Deuteronomy 31:11 - דברים 31:11

Hebrew Text

בְּבוֹא כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵרָאוֹת אֶת־פְּנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בַּמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחָר תִּקְרָא אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת נֶגֶד כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּאָזְנֵיהֶם׃

English Translation

when all Yisra᾽el is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this Tora before all Yisra᾽el in their hearing.

Transliteration

B'vo kol-Yisra'el lir'ot et-pnei Adonai Elohekha bamakom asher yivchar tikra et-haTorah hazot neged kol-Yisra'el b'ozneihem.

Hebrew Leining Text

בְּב֣וֹא כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֵֽרָאוֹת֙ אֶת־פְּנֵי֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִבְחָ֑ר תִּקְרָ֞א אֶת־הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את נֶ֥גֶד כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּאׇזְנֵיהֶֽם׃
בְּב֣וֹא כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֵֽרָאוֹת֙ אֶת־פְּנֵי֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִבְחָ֑ר תִּקְרָ֞א אֶת־הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את נֶ֥גֶד כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּאׇזְנֵיהֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Devarim

The verse (Devarim 31:11) appears in the context of Moshe's final instructions to Bnei Yisrael before his passing. It establishes the mitzvah of Hakhel, the public Torah reading during Sukkot following the Shemittah year, when the entire nation would gather in the Beit HaMikdash.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that this public Torah reading took place at the beginning of the eighth year (following Shemittah), during Sukkot. The king would read selections from Sefer Devarim to men, women, and children, fulfilling the mitzvah of "תקרא את התורה הזאת נגד כל ישראל" ("you shall read this Torah before all Israel").

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Hilchot Chagigah (3:1-6), Rambam details the Hakhel ceremony:

  • The reading took place in the Azarah (Temple courtyard) on a special wooden platform
  • The king would read from a Torah scroll given to him by the Kohen Gadol
  • The portions read were from Devarim, starting from "אלה הדברים" (1:1) through Shema (6:4-9), Vehaya im Shamoa (11:13-21), Aser Te'aser (14:22-29), and other key sections

Talmudic Sources (Sotah 41a)

The Talmud describes how the king would read while standing, and the people would respond with blessings. Special wooden platforms were erected so the large crowds could hear. The Sages derive from "באזניהם" ("in their hearing") that the reading had to be audible to all.

Purpose of Hakhel

The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explains that Hakhel served multiple purposes:

  • To reinforce Torah knowledge among all Jews
  • To create a powerful communal experience of Torah study
  • To remind the nation of their covenant with Hashem
  • To inspire awe and reverence during the pilgrimage festival

Contemporary Significance

While we currently lack the Beit HaMikdash, the mitzvah of Hakhel teaches us:

  • The importance of public Torah study
  • The value of including all community members - men, women and children - in Torah education
  • The need to make Torah accessible and audible to all Jews

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 41a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the public reading of the Torah during the Hakhel ceremony, which occurs every seven years during the Sukkot festival following the Sabbatical year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 31:11 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 31:11 commands that the Torah be publicly read to all of Israel when they gather to appear before Hashem in the place He chooses (the Temple in Jerusalem). This refers to the mitzvah of Hakhel, where the king reads sections of Deuteronomy during Sukkot following the Sabbatical year (Rashi, Mishnah Sotah 7:8).
Q: Why is reading the Torah publicly important?
A: Public Torah reading ensures everyone - men, women, and children - hears and learns Torah together. The Rambam (Hilchos Chagigah 3:6) explains this reinforces Jewish unity, educates all generations, and renews our covenant with Hashem. The Talmud (Chagigah 3a) notes even babies were brought to absorb the sacred atmosphere.
Q: How does this verse apply today without the Temple?
A: While we can't fulfill Hakhel exactly today, we maintain public Torah reading in synagogues. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 135) establishes regular Torah readings on Mondays, Thursdays, Shabbos and festivals to emulate this ideal of communal Torah study. Many also have special Hakhel gatherings during Sukkot following Shemitah years.
Q: Why specifically read Deuteronomy during Hakhel?
A: Deuteronomy (Mishneh Torah) summarizes the entire Torah and contains fundamental mitzvos. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explains it was chosen because it includes the Shema, basic beliefs, and ethical laws - the core ideas every Jew must know. Reading it ensured even simple Jews understood essentials of Jewish life.