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Deuteronomy 32:15 - Prosperity breeds rebellion?

Deuteronomy 32:15 - דברים 32:15

Hebrew Text

וַיִּשְׁמַן יְשֻׁרוּן וַיִּבְעָט שָׁמַנְתָּ עָבִיתָ כָּשִׂיתָ וַיִּטֹּשׁ אֱלוֹהַ עָשָׂהוּ וַיְנַבֵּל צוּר יְשֻׁעָתוֹ׃

English Translation

But Yeshurun grew fat, and kicked: thou art grown fat, thou art become thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God who made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Transliteration

Vayishman Yeshurun vayiv'at shamanta avita kasita vayitosh Eloah asahu vayenabel tzur yeshuato.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ן יְשֻׁרוּן֙ וַיִּבְעָ֔ט שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ עָבִ֣יתָ כָּשִׂ֑יתָ        וַיִּטֹּשׁ֙ אֱל֣וֹהַּ עָשָׂ֔הוּ וַיְנַבֵּ֖ל צ֥וּר יְשֻׁעָתֽוֹ׃        
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ן יְשֻׁרוּן֙ וַיִּבְעָ֔ט שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ עָבִ֣יתָ כָּשִׂ֑יתָ        וַיִּטֹּשׁ֙ אֱל֣וֹהַּ עָשָׂ֔הוּ וַיְנַבֵּ֖ל צ֥וּר יְשֻׁעָתֽוֹ׃        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and Meaning of the Verse

The verse (Devarim 32:15) appears in Shirat Ha'azinu, Moshe's prophetic song warning Bnei Yisrael of the consequences of abandoning Hashem. "Yeshurun" is a poetic name for the Jewish people, derived from yashar (straight or upright), highlighting their ideal spiritual state. The verse describes how prosperity leads to rebellion—when the nation becomes "fat" (materially satisfied), they "kick" against divine authority.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi interprets "וַיִּשְׁמַן יְשֻׁרוּן וַיִּבְעָט" as a metaphor: just as an overfed animal rebels against its owner, Bnei Yisrael, once blessed with abundance, grew arrogant and rejected Hashem. He notes that "שָׁמַנְתָּ עָבִיתָ כָּשִׂיתָ" uses three terms for fatness to emphasize how excessive comfort dulls spiritual sensitivity.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (3:36), Rambam connects this verse to the danger of attributing success to human effort rather than divine providence. Material wealth leads to the delusion of self-sufficiency ("וַיִּטֹּשׁ אֱלוֹהַ עָשָׂהוּ"), causing one to forget that Hashem is the true source of sustenance ("צוּר יְשֻׁעָתוֹ").

Midrashic Insights

  • Sifrei Devarim (32:15) compares the verse to a prince who, after being pampered, insults his father. The threefold description of fatness parallels the three cardinal sins: idolatry, immorality, and bloodshed, which flourish in times of complacency.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Ha'azinu 4) teaches that "וַיְנַבֵּל צוּר יְשֻׁעָתוֹ" refers to the desecration of Torah study—when prosperity replaces reverence for divine wisdom.

Halachic and Ethical Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 437) cites this verse to underscore the obligation of hakarat hatov (gratitude). Abandoning Hashem after receiving blessings is the ultimate ingratitude, a theme echoed in the warnings of Nevi'im against complacency. The Mishneh Torah (Hilchot De'ot 4:1) similarly cautions that wealth without humility leads to moral decay.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 89a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the dangers of prosperity leading to arrogance and abandonment of God.
📖 Sotah 47a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing how prosperity can lead to moral decline and rebellion against God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the term 'Yeshurun' mean in Deuteronomy 32:15?
A: In Deuteronomy 32:15, 'Yeshurun' is a poetic name for the Jewish people, derived from the word 'yashar' (straight or upright). Rashi explains that it refers to Israel when they are behaving righteously, but here it is used ironically as they have strayed from their upright path.
Q: Why does the verse say 'Yeshurun grew fat and kicked'?
A: The metaphor of 'growing fat and kicking' describes how the Jewish people, after experiencing prosperity and comfort, became ungrateful and rebellious toward Hashem. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explains that material success led to arrogance and abandonment of Torah values.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 32:15?
A: This verse teaches that prosperity can sometimes lead to spiritual complacency. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 4:1) warns that excessive physical indulgence can distance a person from serving Hashem properly. The key is to remain humble and grateful even in times of abundance.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: The message remains relevant: when we are blessed with wealth or comfort, we must guard against arrogance and forgetting our dependence on Hashem. The Talmud (Berachot 32a) teaches that prosperity is a test—will we use it to grow closer to Hashem or, G-d forbid, stray from His ways?
Q: What does 'lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation' mean?
A: Rashi explains that this phrase means the Jewish people treated Hashem—their steadfast 'Rock' and source of salvation—with contempt when they became prosperous. Instead of recognizing His kindness, they attributed their success to themselves, leading to spiritual decline.