share torah logo

Deuteronomy 4:34 - Divine redemption through mighty wonders?

Deuteronomy 4:34 - דברים 4:34

Hebrew Text

אוֹ הֲנִסָּה אֱלֹהִים לָבוֹא לָקַחַת לוֹ גוֹי מִקֶּרֶב גּוֹי בְּמַסֹּת בְּאֹתֹת וּבְמוֹפְתִים וּבְמִלְחָמָה וּבְיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה וּבְמוֹרָאִים גְּדֹלִים כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה לָכֶם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם בְּמִצְרַיִם לְעֵינֶיךָ׃

English Translation

Or has God ventured to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Miżrayim before your eyes?

Transliteration

O hanisa Elohim lavo lakachat lo goy mikerev goy bemasot be'otot uvmoftim uvmilchama uv'yad chazaka uvizroa netuya uv'mora'im gedolim kechol asher-asah lachem Adonai Eloheichem bemitzrayim le'einecha.

Hebrew Leining Text

א֣וֹ <b>׀</b> הֲנִסָּ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֗ים לָ֠ב֠וֹא לָקַ֨חַת ל֣וֹ גוֹי֮ מִקֶּ֣רֶב גּוֹי֒ בְּמַסֹּת֩ בְּאֹתֹ֨ת וּבְמוֹפְתִ֜ים וּבְמִלְחָמָ֗ה וּבְיָ֤ד חֲזָקָה֙ וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ נְטוּיָ֔ה וּבְמוֹרָאִ֖ים גְּדֹלִ֑ים כְּ֠כֹ֠ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם בְּמִצְרַ֖יִם לְעֵינֶֽיךָ׃
א֣וֹ ׀ הֲנִסָּ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֗ים לָ֠ב֠וֹא לָקַ֨חַת ל֣וֹ גוֹי֮ מִקֶּ֣רֶב גּוֹי֒ בְּמַסֹּת֩ בְּאֹתֹ֨ת וּבְמוֹפְתִ֜ים וּבְמִלְחָמָ֗ה וּבְיָ֤ד חֲזָקָה֙ וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ נְטוּיָ֔ה וּבְמוֹרָאִ֖ים גְּדֹלִ֑ים כְּ֠כֹ֠ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם בְּמִצְרַ֖יִם לְעֵינֶֽיךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 4:34, where Moshe Rabbeinu reminds Bnei Yisrael of the unparalleled miracles Hashem performed to redeem them from Mitzrayim (Egypt). The rhetorical question emphasizes that no other nation has experienced such divine intervention in history.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 4:34) explains that the phrase "הֲנִסָּה אֱלֹהִים" ("has God ventured") means: Hashem tested His own power to take a nation from another nation through open miracles. This was unprecedented—no deity had ever done such a thing for their people. Rashi highlights that the plagues (מַסֹּת) and signs (אֹתֹת) were clear demonstrations of Hashem's exclusive relationship with Klal Yisrael.

Rambam on Divine Miracles

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:35) discusses how the Exodus miracles were necessary to establish the truth of Torah and prophecy. The "מוֹפְתִים" (wonders) were not arbitrary but served to validate Moshe's leadership and Hashem's covenant with Israel. The "יָד חֲזָקָה" (mighty hand) refers to the severity of the plagues, while "זְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה" (outstretched arm) symbolizes continuous divine intervention.

Midrashic Insights

  • Mechilta (Bo 14) elaborates on "וּבְמוֹרָאִים גְּדֹלִים" (great terrors), teaching that the Egyptians were struck with supernatural fear, causing them to willingly hand over their wealth to Bnei Yisrael (as per Shemos 12:36).
  • Sifrei (Devarim 43) notes that the phrase "לְעֵינֶיךָ" (before your eyes) underscores that the miracles were witnessed firsthand, ensuring their transmission to future generations.

Theological Significance

This verse serves as a foundational proof of hashgacha pratis (divine providence) over Klal Yisrael. The Ibn Ezra emphasizes that the Exodus was unique because it involved a sustained series of miracles (מַסֹּת... מוֹפְתִים)—unlike isolated wonders performed for other nations. The "מִלְחָמָה" (war) may allude to the drowning of Pharaoh’s army, demonstrating Hashem’s absolute control over nature and history.

Halachic Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 21) derives from this verse the obligation to remember the Exodus daily, as these miracles affirm our belief in Hashem’s ongoing involvement in the world. The "יָד חֲזָקָה" and "זְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה" are invoked in the Haggadah, linking the historical redemption to future geulah (redemption).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 4:34 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 4:34 highlights the uniqueness of the Exodus from Egypt, where Hashem performed extraordinary miracles—signs, wonders, and mighty acts—to redeem the Jewish people from slavery. Rashi explains that no other nation was ever taken from within another nation through such open divine intervention, demonstrating Hashem's special relationship with Israel.
Q: Why is the Exodus from Egypt so important in Judaism?
A: The Exodus is foundational to Jewish faith because it proved Hashem's power and love for Israel. The Rambam (Maimonides) lists belief in the Exodus as one of the 13 Principles of Faith. The miracles—like the Ten Plagues and the Splitting of the Sea—established the covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people, leading to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 4:34 today?
A: This verse teaches us to recognize Hashem's ongoing providence (hashgacha pratis) in Jewish history. Just as He redeemed us from Egypt with open miracles, we must trust in His guidance today. The Sforno adds that remembering these events strengthens our commitment to Torah and mitzvos, as they remind us of our unique role as Hashem's chosen nation.
Q: What are the 'great terrors' mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'great terrors' (מוֹרָאִים גְּדֹלִים) refer to the awe-inspiring miracles in Egypt, such as the Plague of the Firstborn and the darkness that paralyzed the Egyptians (Midrash Tanchuma). These events instilled fear in the nations, showing Hashem's absolute dominion over nature and history.
Q: How does this verse connect to Passover?
A: Deuteronomy 4:34 is a core theme of the Passover Haggadah, which commands us to recount the Exodus. The 'signs and wonders' mentioned here are detailed in the Haggadah's narrative of the Ten Plagues and the miracles of the Red Sea. The Talmud (Pesachim 116b) emphasizes that each generation must see themselves as personally redeemed from Egypt, making this verse eternally relevant.