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Deuteronomy 4:27 - Exile's purpose: Divine plan?

Deuteronomy 4:27 - דברים 4:27

Hebrew Text

וְהֵפִיץ יְהוָה אֶתְכֶם בָּעַמִּים וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם מְתֵי מִסְפָּר בַּגּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר יְנַהֵג יְהוָה אֶתְכֶם שָׁמָּה׃

English Translation

And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and you shall be left few in number among the nations, where the Lord shall lead you.

Transliteration

Vehefitz Adonai etchem ba'amim venish'artem metey mispar bagoyim asher yenaheg Adonai etchem shamah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהֵפִ֧יץ יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּעַמִּ֑ים וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙ מְתֵ֣י מִסְפָּ֔ר בַּגּוֹיִ֕ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְנַהֵ֧ג יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם שָֽׁמָּה׃
וְהֵפִ֧יץ יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּעַמִּ֑ים וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙ מְתֵ֣י מִסְפָּ֔ר בַּגּוֹיִ֕ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְנַהֵ֧ג יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם שָֽׁמָּה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Devarim 4:27) appears in Moshe's admonition to Bnei Yisrael, warning of the consequences of abandoning Hashem's commandments. It follows the prohibition against idolatry and forms part of the Tochacha (rebuke) that outlines the potential exile if the Jewish people stray from Torah observance.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that "ונשארתם מתי מספר" ("you shall be left few in number") means the Jewish people will be reduced to a small remnant among the nations. He notes that even in exile, Hashem ensures our survival, albeit in diminished numbers, as a fulfillment of the covenant with the Avot (forefathers). This aligns with the promise in Vayikra 26:44 that Hashem will not utterly destroy us despite our sins.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Teshuva (7:5), Rambam cites this verse as proof that exile is a direct consequence of sin. However, he emphasizes that the wording "אשר ינהג ה' אתכם שמה" ("where the Lord shall lead you") implies Divine Providence even in exile—Hashem remains actively involved in directing Jewish destiny, even during periods of punishment.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Sifrei (Devarim 43) connects this scattering to the metaphor of a king who, when angry with his son, scatters his coins so they may be gathered later. Similarly, Hashem's scattering of Israel among nations contains the seeds of eventual redemption, as being dispersed prevents total annihilation.

Ibn Ezra's Linguistic Insight

Ibn Ezra notes the unusual phrasing "מתי מספר" (literally "men of number"), explaining it as an idiom meaning a countable few—so reduced in population that each individual can be accounted for, in contrast to the promise of being as numerous as the stars.

Chassidic Perspective

The Sfat Emet teaches that this "scattering" has a hidden purpose: just as seeds must be scattered to grow, so too our dispersion among nations allows the "sparks of holiness" to be elevated through Jewish observance in exile, ultimately leading to a greater collective tikun (rectification).

Halachic Implications

  • The Chatam Sofer (Responsa 6:86) derives from this verse that even small, isolated Jewish communities must maintain Torah observance, as their survival is part of Divine providence.
  • The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) notes that the verse's conclusion about Hashem "leading" us implies an obligation to recognize Hashgacha Pratit (individual Divine supervision) even in exile.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 29a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the dispersion of the Jewish people and the divine promise of eventual redemption.
📖 Sanhedrin 38a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the consequences of Israel's actions and the divine response of scattering them among the nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 4:27 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 4:27 warns the Jewish people of the consequence of straying from Torah observance—exile and dispersion among the nations. Rashi explains that this verse refers to the eventual scattering of the Jewish people if they abandon Hashem's commandments. It is both a prophecy and a call to repentance.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it underscores the principle of divine justice and the consequences of abandoning Torah values. The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches in Hilchot Teshuvah that such warnings in the Torah serve as reminders to inspire repentance. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled with the destruction of the Temples and subsequent exiles.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: This verse reminds Jews today of the importance of maintaining Torah observance and Jewish identity, even in exile. The Talmud (Berachot 5a) teaches that suffering in exile can serve as a wake-up call for spiritual improvement. Many see the modern Jewish diaspora as a continuation of this prophecy, emphasizing the need for unity and Torah study.
Q: Does this verse mean the Jewish people will always be few in number?
A: The phrase 'you shall be left few in number' refers to the diminished state of the Jewish people in exile, not necessarily their permanent destiny. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explains that this is a temporary condition, and the prophets (e.g., Isaiah 54) promise eventual redemption and growth when the Jewish people return to Hashem.
Q: What is the connection between this verse and Jewish prayer?
A: This verse connects to Jewish prayer in two ways: 1) It reminds us to pray for an end to exile, as in the daily Amidah ('Gather our exiles'). 2) The Talmud (Megillah 29a) teaches that even in exile, Hashem is with the Jewish people—'wherever they were exiled, the Divine Presence went with them,' giving hope amid dispersion.