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Deuteronomy 4:15 - Formless Divine encounter at Sinai

Deuteronomy 4:15 - דברים 4:15

Hebrew Text

וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּם מְאֹד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם כִּי לֹא רְאִיתֶם כָּל־תְּמוּנָה בְּיוֹם דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֲלֵיכֶם בְּחֹרֵב מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵשׁ׃

English Translation

Take therefore good heed to yourselves; for you saw no manner of form on the day that the Lord spoke to you in Ḥorev out of the midst of the fire:

Transliteration

Venishmartem meod lenafshoteichem ki lo reitem kol-temunah beyom diber Adonai aleichem beChorev mitoch ha'esh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם מְאֹ֖ד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י לֹ֤א רְאִיתֶם֙ כׇּל־תְּמוּנָ֔ה בְּי֗וֹם דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהֹוָ֧ה אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם בְּחֹרֵ֖ב מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֵֽשׁ׃
וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם מְאֹ֖ד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י לֹ֤א רְאִיתֶם֙ כׇּל־תְּמוּנָ֔ה בְּי֗וֹם דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהֹוָ֧ה אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם בְּחֹרֵ֖ב מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֵֽשׁ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Prohibition of Physical Representations

The verse (Devarim 4:15) emphasizes the absolute incorporeality of Hashem and the prohibition against creating any physical representation of the Divine. Rashi explains that since Bnei Yisrael did not see any form or image when Hashem spoke to them at Har Sinai, they must not attempt to depict Him in any way. This reinforces the second of the Aseret HaDibrot (Shemot 20:4), which forbids making graven images.

The Uniqueness of Matan Torah

Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 1:7-9) elaborates that at Har Sinai, Hashem revealed Himself without any physical form, demonstrating that He transcends all material limitations. The absence of any visual representation during Matan Torah serves as a foundational principle of Jewish belief—Hashem is entirely beyond human comprehension and cannot be confined to any image or likeness.

Spiritual Vigilance

The phrase "וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּם מְאֹד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם" ("Take therefore good heed to yourselves") underscores the need for constant spiritual vigilance. The Sforno explains that this warning is directed against the human tendency to anthropomorphize the Divine or seek tangible representations of Hashem. The fire at Har Sinai was a purely spiritual revelation, not a physical manifestation of Hashem.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 4:15) connects this verse to the broader theme of avoiding idolatry. By reminding Bnei Yisrael that they saw no form at Har Sinai, the Torah reinforces that any attempt to create a physical representation of Hashem is a distortion of the truth and a step toward avodah zarah.

Practical Implications

  • Rejection of Anthropomorphism: The verse teaches that Hashem cannot be depicted in any physical form, rejecting any human-like representations.
  • Focus on Divine Unity: Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 1:1) stresses that this verse supports the principle of Hashem's absolute unity (Yichud Hashem), free from any division or physicality.
  • Spiritual Worship: True avodat Hashem must be rooted in the mind and soul, not in physical imagery or symbols.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 25a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the prohibition of depicting images, emphasizing that no form was seen at Sinai.
📖 Hullin 139b
Referenced in a discussion about the importance of guarding one's soul, connecting it to the broader context of divine commandments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 4:15 mean when it says 'you saw no manner of form'?
A: The verse emphasizes that when Hashem spoke to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai (Ḥorev), they did not see any physical image or form of G-d. This teaches the fundamental Jewish belief that Hashem has no physical body or likeness, as explained by Rashi and Rambam (Maimonides) in their commentaries. It reinforces the prohibition against creating or worshipping idols.
Q: Why is Deuteronomy 4:15 important in Judaism?
A: This verse is central to Jewish theology because it establishes the incorporeal (non-physical) nature of G-d. The Rambam lists this as one of the 13 Principles of Faith - that Hashem is not physical and cannot be represented by any image. The Talmud (Berachot 33b) also derives from this verse that we must be extremely careful not to attribute physical characteristics to Hashem.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 4:15 today?
A: The verse teaches us to focus on serving Hashem through mitzvot and proper belief rather than through physical representations. As the Sifrei (classic Midrash on Deuteronomy) explains, since we didn't see any form at Sinai, we must connect to Hashem through Torah study and observance. This reminds us that true spirituality comes from actions and thoughts, not physical symbols.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 4:15 relate to the prohibition against idolatry?
A: This verse introduces the Torah's strong warnings against idolatry that follow in subsequent verses. Since no form of Hashem was seen at Sinai, it would be wrong to create any image to represent Him. The Mechilta (Midrash on Exodus) connects this to the Second Commandment, showing that any attempt to make an image of G-d violates what we learned at Sinai.
Q: What does 'take good heed to yourselves' mean in this context?
A: Rashi explains that this warning means we must be extremely careful not to mistakenly think we can represent Hashem through any physical form. The Ohr HaChaim adds that this includes guarding our thoughts to maintain pure belief in Hashem's complete unity and incorporeality. It's a command to protect our spiritual understanding of G-d's true nature.