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Deuteronomy 32:36 - Divine justice redeems Israel's remnant

Deuteronomy 32:36 - דברים 32:36

Hebrew Text

כִּי־יָדִין יְהוָה עַמּוֹ וְעַל־עֲבָדָיו יִתְנֶחָם כִּי יִרְאֶה כִּי־אָזְלַת יָד וְאֶפֶס עָצוּר וְעָזוּב׃

English Translation

For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

Transliteration

Ki-yadin Adonai amo ve'al-avadav yitnekham ki yireh ki-azlat yad ve'efes atzur ve'azuv.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּֽי־יָדִ֤ין יְהֹוָה֙ עַמּ֔וֹ וְעַל־עֲבָדָ֖יו יִתְנֶחָ֑ם        כִּ֤י יִרְאֶה֙ כִּֽי־אָ֣זְלַת יָ֔ד וְאֶ֖פֶס עָצ֥וּר וְעָזֽוּב׃        
כִּֽי־יָדִ֤ין יְהֹוָה֙ עַמּ֔וֹ וְעַל־עֲבָדָ֖יו יִתְנֶחָ֑ם        כִּ֤י יִרְאֶה֙ כִּֽי־אָ֣זְלַת יָ֔ד וְאֶ֖פֶס עָצ֥וּר וְעָזֽוּב׃        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and Source

The verse (Devarim 32:36) appears in Shirat Ha'azinu, the song Moshe delivers to Bnei Yisrael before his passing. It speaks of Hashem's ultimate justice and compassion for His people, particularly in times of extreme distress.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi interprets the phrase "כִּי־יָדִין יְהוָה עַמּוֹ" ("For the Lord shall judge His people") as referring to Hashem judging Israel with mercy rather than strict justice. He explains that when the suffering of Israel becomes unbearable—symbolized by "אָזְלַת יָד" ("their power is gone")—Hashem will relent and show compassion.

Rambam on Divine Judgment

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 3:4) discusses how Hashem's judgment balances justice with mercy. This verse exemplifies that principle: even when Israel deserves punishment, Hashem's attribute of mercy prevails when they are utterly broken.

Midrashic Interpretation

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Ha'azinu 4) explains that "וְאֶפֶס עָצוּר וְעָזוּב" ("none shut up or left") refers to a state where no one is left to support Israel—neither the young (עָצוּר, restrained) nor the old (עָזוּב, abandoned). Only then does divine mercy fully awaken.
  • Sifrei Devarim (Piska 327) emphasizes that Hashem does not abandon His people permanently; even in exile, His judgment is tempered with the promise of redemption.

Ibn Ezra's Linguistic Insight

Ibn Ezra notes that "יִתְנֶחָם" ("repent himself") does not imply change in Hashem’s will but rather a shift in how His justice is applied—from strict judgment to compassionate intervention when Israel’s suffering reaches its limit.

Practical Lesson

This verse teaches that even in moments of despair, when human strength fails (אָזְלַת יָד), one must trust in Hashem’s unfailing mercy. It reassures that divine judgment is ultimately restorative, not punitive, for those who remain His servants (עֲבָדָיו).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 10b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing God's mercy and judgment, particularly how God repents for His servants when they are in distress.
📖 Sanhedrin 96b
The verse is cited in a discussion about divine judgment and the eventual redemption of Israel, emphasizing God's compassion for His people in times of weakness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'the Lord shall judge His people' mean in Deuteronomy 32:36?
A: Rashi explains that this refers to God judging Israel with mercy during difficult times. Even when punishing, God considers their suffering and ultimately brings redemption when they repent.
Q: Why does the verse say God 'repents himself for his servants'?
A: The Rambam teaches that this anthropomorphic language means God responds to human repentance with compassion. When Jews return to God sincerely, He 'relents' from harsh decrees, as a parent shows mercy to a child.
Q: What does 'their power is gone' refer to in this verse?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 32b) interprets this as describing when Israel reaches absolute helplessness in exile, with no human power left. Only then does complete divine salvation come, teaching us to rely ultimately on God.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 32:36 give hope during difficult times?
A: The Midrash (Sifrei) explains this verse promises that no matter how bleak Israel's situation appears, God sees their suffering and will ultimately redeem them when they turn to Him with complete sincerity.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: The verse teaches that true repentance brings divine mercy. Even when we feel spiritually 'powerless,' sincerely returning to Torah and mitzvot awakens God's compassion, as He waits to redeem us when we fully commit to Him.