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Deuteronomy 4:19 - Beware celestial idolatry's lure

Deuteronomy 4:19 - דברים 4:19

Hebrew Text

וּפֶן־תִּשָּׂא עֵינֶיךָ הַשָּׁמַיְמָה וְרָאִיתָ אֶת־הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְאֶת־הַיָּרֵחַ וְאֶת־הַכּוֹכָבִים כֹּל צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם וְנִדַּחְתָּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתָ לָהֶם וַעֲבַדְתָּם אֲשֶׁר חָלַק יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֹתָם לְכֹל הָעַמִּים תַּחַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמָיִם׃

English Translation

and lest thou lift up thy eyes to heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, thou shouldst be misled to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God has allotted to all the nations under the whole heaven.

Transliteration

U-fen-tisa einecha hashamayma ve-ra'ita et-hashemesh ve-et-hayareach ve-et-hakochavim kol tzva hashamayim ve-nidachta ve-hishtachavita lahem va-avadtam asher chalak Adonai Eloheicha otam lechol ha'amim tachat kol-hashamayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּפֶן־תִּשָּׂ֨א עֵינֶ֜יךָ הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה וְֽ֠רָאִ֠יתָ אֶת־הַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ וְאֶת־הַיָּרֵ֜חַ וְאֶת־הַכּֽוֹכָבִ֗ים כֹּ֚ל צְבָ֣א הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְנִדַּחְתָּ֛ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֥יתָ לָהֶ֖ם וַעֲבַדְתָּ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר חָלַ֜ק יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ אֹתָ֔ם לְכֹל֙ הָֽעַמִּ֔ים תַּ֖חַת כׇּל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
וּפֶן־תִּשָּׂ֨א עֵינֶ֜יךָ הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה וְֽ֠רָאִ֠יתָ אֶת־הַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ וְאֶת־הַיָּרֵ֜חַ וְאֶת־הַכּֽוֹכָבִ֗ים כֹּ֚ל צְבָ֣א הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְנִדַּחְתָּ֛ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֥יתָ לָהֶ֖ם וַעֲבַדְתָּ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר חָלַ֜ק יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ אֹתָ֔ם לְכֹל֙ הָֽעַמִּ֔ים תַּ֖חַת כׇּל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Warning Against Astral Worship

The verse (Devarim 4:19) warns Bnei Yisrael against being drawn to worship celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—despite their grandeur. Rashi explains that Hashem "allotted" these heavenly bodies to the other nations, meaning He permitted those nations to err by attributing divine power to them. However, for Klal Yisrael, who received the Torah, such worship is strictly forbidden, as they are meant to serve Hashem directly.

The Danger of Misguided Observation

The Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1:1) elaborates that this prohibition stems from a historical error: ancient peoples mistakenly believed the celestial bodies controlled fate, leading them to deify these creations rather than the Creator. The phrase "וּפֶן־תִּשָּׂא עֵינֶיךָ" ("lest you lift your eyes") emphasizes that even passive admiration can lead to idolatrous temptation if one does not recognize Hashem’s ultimate authority.

Celestial Bodies as Tools, Not Powers

The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 55a) teaches that the stars and planets have no independent will; they are "עבדיו" (servants) of Hashem, fulfilling their assigned roles. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 2:30) compares this to a king who distributes banners to his armies—the nations may carry these symbols, but the true sovereignty remains with the king alone.

Hashem’s Exclusive Relationship with Israel

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch notes that the phrase "אֲשֶׁר חָלַק ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ" ("which Hashem your God has allotted") underscores a key distinction: while other nations may have been given celestial bodies as a heker (temporary concession), Yisrael was chosen for a direct covenant with Hashem, rejecting all intermediaries.

Practical Implications

  • Guard Against Subtle Idolatry: The Sforno warns that even philosophical admiration of nature without acknowledging the Creator can lead to spiritual deviation.
  • Focus on Torah Study: The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:29) advises that deeper Torah knowledge prevents such errors by clarifying Hashem’s unity.
  • Reject Astrology: The Ibn Ezra stresses that believing celestial bodies influence human affairs contradicts emunah in Hashem’s providence.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Avodah Zarah 55a
The verse is discussed in the context of the prohibition against idolatry, particularly regarding the worship of celestial bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 4:19 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 4:19 warns against looking at the sun, moon, and stars and being tempted to worship them as gods. The verse emphasizes that these celestial bodies were created by Hashem and allotted to all nations, but they are not deities to be served. Rashi explains that this verse cautions against being misled by the beauty and grandeur of the heavenly bodies into idolatry.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it reinforces the fundamental Jewish belief in monotheism—the exclusive worship of Hashem alone. The Rambam (Maimonides) discusses in his writings how idolatry was a common temptation in ancient times, and this verse serves as a reminder to avoid any form of avodah zarah (foreign worship). The Talmud (Avodah Zarah) also discusses the dangers of being drawn to worship celestial bodies.
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: While literal worship of the sun and moon is rare today, the verse teaches us to avoid attributing divine power to anything other than Hashem. This can include modern forms of 'idolatry,' such as excessive devotion to material possessions, fame, or other distractions that take the place of serving G-d. The Midrash teaches that the yetzer hara (evil inclination) can lead people astray in subtle ways, so we must remain vigilant in our faith.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 4:19?
A: We learn that Hashem alone is the Creator and Master of the universe, and we must not be misled by the apparent power or beauty of nature. The Sforno explains that the heavenly bodies were given to other nations for practical purposes (like timekeeping), but they were never meant to be objects of worship. This verse reminds us to direct our awe and devotion solely to Hashem.
Q: Why does the verse say the sun and moon were 'allotted to all nations'?
A: According to traditional Jewish commentators like Rashi and Ibn Ezra, this means that while Hashem permitted other nations to use the sun, moon, and stars for practical purposes (such as navigation or calendars), He forbade the Jewish people from worshipping them. The Ramban (Nachmanides) adds that this distinction highlights the unique relationship between Hashem and the Jewish people, who are commanded to serve Him directly without intermediaries.