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Deuteronomy 5:28 - Divine intimacy through Torah transmission

Deuteronomy 5:28 - דברים 5:28

Hebrew Text

וְאַתָּה פֹּה עֲמֹד עִמָּדִי וַאֲדַבְּרָה אֵלֶיךָ אֵת כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה וְהַחֻקִּים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר תְּלַמְּדֵם וְעָשׂוּ בָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן לָהֶם לְרִשְׁתָּהּ׃

English Translation

But as for thee, stand here by me, and I will speak to thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I gave them to possess it.

Transliteration

Ve'ata po amod imadi va'adabera elecha et kol-hamitzva vehachukim vehamishpatim asher telamdem ve'asu ba'aretz asher anochi noten lahem lerishtah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאַתָּ֗ה פֹּה֮ עֲמֹ֣ד עִמָּדִי֒ וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה אֵלֶ֗יךָ אֵ֧ת כׇּל־הַמִּצְוָ֛ה וְהַחֻקִּ֥ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר תְּלַמְּדֵ֑ם וְעָשׂ֣וּ בָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לָהֶ֖ם לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃
וְאַתָּ֗ה פֹּה֮ עֲמֹ֣ד עִמָּדִי֒ וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה אֵלֶ֗יךָ אֵ֧ת כׇּל־הַמִּצְוָ֛ה וְהַחֻקִּ֥ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר תְּלַמְּדֵ֑ם וְעָשׂ֣וּ בָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לָהֶ֖ם לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Devarim 5:28) appears in the context of Moshe Rabbeinu recounting the revelation at Har Sinai to Bnei Yisrael. Hashem instructs Moshe to stand near Him to receive the mitzvot, chukim, and mishpatim that he must then teach to the people. The verse emphasizes Moshe's unique role as the intermediary through whom the Torah is transmitted to Klal Yisrael.

Three Categories of Commandments

The verse mentions three types of commandments:

  • Mitzvah (הַמִּצְוָה): Rashi explains this refers to the general mitzvot that are logical and could have been intuited even without Divine command (e.g., prohibitions against theft and murder).
  • Chukim (הַחֻקִּים): These are statutes whose reasons are not revealed to us, such as kashrut or the red heifer (Rashi, Bamidbar 19:2). The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni) notes that these test our willingness to submit to Hashem's will.
  • Mishpatim (הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים): These are the laws governing civil and interpersonal conduct, which form the basis of a just society (Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 9:1).

Moshe's Unique Role

The Ramban explains that "stand here by me" indicates Moshe's unparalleled closeness to Hashem during the giving of the Torah. Unlike the prophets who received visions, Moshe heard Hashem's words directly (Bamidbar 12:6-8). The Talmud (Makot 23b) derives from this verse that all 613 mitzvot were given through Moshe at Sinai, establishing the principle of Torah MiSinai.

Connection to Eretz Yisrael

The concluding phrase "that they may do them in the land" teaches that the mitzvot are intrinsically connected to Eretz Yisrael. The Sforno notes that while some mitzvot apply everywhere, many (particularly agricultural and Temple-related laws) can only be fully observed in the Land. This reinforces the Torah's vision of creating a holy society in our ancestral homeland.

Pedagogical Approach

The instruction "which thou shalt teach them" establishes the model for Torah transmission. The Talmud (Kiddushin 30a) derives from here that a teacher must ensure students understand the material thoroughly. Rashi emphasizes the word "תְּלַמְּדֵם" (you shall teach them) implies repetitive instruction until mastery is achieved, as the Torah must be taught with clarity and patience.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the importance of standing during prayer, drawing a parallel to Moses standing before God to receive the commandments.
📖 Megillah 21a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the proper posture for teaching Torah, emphasizing the significance of standing when receiving divine instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'stand here by me' mean in Deuteronomy 5:28?
A: Rashi explains that this phrase shows the special closeness between Hashem and Moshe. Unlike the rest of the Jewish people who stood at a distance during the giving of the Torah, Moshe was invited to stand near Hashem to receive the commandments in greater detail.
Q: Why does the verse mention commandments, statutes, and judgments separately?
A: The Rambam teaches that these three categories represent different types of mitzvot: 'commandments' (mitzvot) are clear divine decrees, 'statutes' (chukim) are laws whose reasons aren't obvious to us (like kashrut), and 'judgments' (mishpatim) are logical laws (like not stealing). All three are equally important in Jewish tradition.
Q: What is the significance of teaching the commandments 'that they may do them in the land'?
A: The Sifrei (classic midrash on Deuteronomy) explains that the Torah's commandments are meant to be lived in Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel). Many mitzvot are specifically tied to the land (like agricultural laws), showing the deep connection between Torah observance and the Jewish homeland.
Q: How does this verse relate to Torah study today?
A: The Talmud (Kiddushin 29b) derives from this verse that there is a mitzvah to teach Torah to others. Just as Moshe was commanded to teach Israel, every Jew has an obligation to learn and transmit Torah knowledge to the next generation, ensuring the continuity of Jewish tradition.
Q: Why does Hashem say 'which I gave them' when they hadn't entered the land yet?
A: Rashi notes that the Torah speaks in the present tense ('gave') because from Hashem's perspective, the promise to give Israel the land was as certain as if it had already happened. This teaches us about the absolute reliability of divine promises in Jewish thought.