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Deuteronomy 4:1 - Listen, obey, live, inherit land

Deuteronomy 4:1 - דברים 4:1

Hebrew Text

וְעַתָּה יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁמַע אֶל־הַחֻקִּים וְאֶל־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְלַמֵּד אֶתְכֶם לַעֲשׂוֹת לְמַעַן תִּחְיוּ וּבָאתֶם וִירִשְׁתֶּם אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם נֹתֵן לָכֶם׃

English Translation

Now therefore hearken, O Yisra᾽el, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach you, to do them, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers gives you.

Transliteration

Ve'ata Yisrael shema el-hachukim ve'el-hamishpatim asher anochi melamed etchem la'asot lema'an tichyu uvatem virishtem et-ha'aretz asher Adonai Elohei avoteichem noten lachem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְעַתָּ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שְׁמַ֤ע אֶל־הַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְאֶל־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָֽנֹכִ֛י מְלַמֵּ֥ד אֶתְכֶ֖ם לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת לְמַ֣עַן תִּֽחְי֗וּ וּבָאתֶם֙ וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶֽם׃
וְעַתָּ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שְׁמַ֤ע אֶל־הַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְאֶל־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָֽנֹכִ֛י מְלַמֵּ֥ד אֶתְכֶ֖ם לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת לְמַ֣עַן תִּֽחְי֗וּ וּבָאתֶם֙ וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Devarim

This verse (Devarim 4:1) marks the beginning of Moshe Rabbeinu's exhortation to Bnei Yisrael as they prepare to enter Eretz Yisrael. Rashi explains that Moshe is emphasizing the importance of Torah observance as the key to meriting both physical life in this world and spiritual life in Olam Haba, as well as successful settlement in the Land.

The Dual Command: Chukim and Mishpatim

The Ramban notes that "chukim" (statutes) refer to mitzvot whose reasons are not readily apparent (such as kashrut or parah adumah), while "mishpatim" (judgments) are logical laws (like theft and murder). By mentioning both, the Torah teaches that we must observe all mitzvot equally, whether we understand their rationale or not.

"La'asot" - The Imperative of Action

The Sforno highlights the word "la'asot" (to do), stressing that mere intellectual study is insufficient - mitzvot require actual performance. The Talmud (Kiddushin 40b) teaches that study is greater because it leads to action, but action remains the ultimate goal.

The Reward of Life and Land

  • Physical and Spiritual Life: The Kli Yakar explains "l'ma'an tichyu" refers to both physical sustenance in this world and eternal life in the World to Come.
  • Eretz Yisrael as Conditional: Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 9:1) derives from this verse that dwelling in the Land is contingent upon mitzvah observance - the Land will not tolerate sin.
  • Inheritance vs. Gift: The Malbim notes the dual language of "u'va'tem vi'rishtem" (you will come and inherit) - the Land is both a divine gift and something we must actively merit through our actions.

Connection to Avot

By mentioning "Hashem Elokei avoteichem" (the Lord God of your fathers), the verse reminds us, as the Ohr HaChaim explains, that our claim to the Land is based on the merit of our forefathers combined with our own Torah observance. This creates a covenant spanning generations.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 35a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the importance of studying Torah and fulfilling commandments, emphasizing the connection between Torah study and inheriting the land.
📖 Sotah 37a
The verse is cited in the context of the covenant between God and Israel, highlighting the obligation to follow God's statutes and judgments as a condition for possessing the land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'hearken to the statutes and judgments' mean in Deuteronomy 4:1?
A: The phrase 'hearken to the statutes and judgments' means that the Jewish people must carefully listen to and observe both the written Torah laws (statutes) and the oral traditions (judgments) taught by Moshe. Rashi explains that 'statutes' (chukim) are laws whose reasons are not always clear to us, while 'judgments' (mishpatim) are logical laws like those concerning theft or damages. Both must be followed with equal commitment.
Q: Why does the verse connect listening to the Torah with inheriting the land?
A: The Torah teaches that observing the mitzvot is directly linked to living and inheriting the Land of Israel. Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 8:5) explains that fulfilling the commandments ensures the Jewish people's right to dwell securely in the land. This principle is foundational in Jewish thought—the land is a gift from Hashem, conditional upon our adherence to His Torah.
Q: What can we learn from 'which I teach you to do them' in this verse?
A: The phrase emphasizes that Torah is not just theoretical knowledge but requires action. The Talmud (Kiddushin 40b) teaches that study is greater because it leads to action, but without actually doing the mitzvot, learning alone is insufficient. This verse reminds us that Torah must be lived, not just studied.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today who don't live in Israel?
A: The Sages (Sifri Devarim 43) explain that the mitzvot sustain the Jewish people wherever they are. While the verse speaks of inheriting the physical land, the principle extends to spiritual survival in exile—Torah observance preserves Jewish identity. Ramban (Devarim 4:1) adds that keeping mitzvot prepares us for the ultimate return to Israel.
Q: Why does the verse say 'the Lord God of your fathers'?
A: By mentioning 'the God of your fathers,' the Torah connects the covenant to our ancestors (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov), showing that the promise of the land and Torah is an eternal inheritance. Midrash Tanchuma (Bamidbar 3) teaches that this reminds us our commitment is part of a chain dating back to Avraham, strengthening our bond to Hashem and the land.