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Deuteronomy 5:3 - New generation, same covenant?

Deuteronomy 5:3 - דברים 5:3

Hebrew Text

לֹא אֶת־אֲבֹתֵינוּ כָּרַת יְהוָה אֶת־הַבְּרִית הַזֹּאת כִּי אִתָּנוּ אֲנַחְנוּ אֵלֶּה פֹה הַיּוֹם כֻּלָּנוּ חַיִּים׃

English Translation

The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.

Transliteration

Lo et-avoteinu karat Adonai et-habrit hazot ki itanu anachnu eleh fo hayom kulanu chayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹ֣א אֶת־אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ כָּרַ֥ת יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־הַבְּרִ֣ית הַזֹּ֑את כִּ֣י אִתָּ֔נוּ אֲנַ֨חְנוּ אֵ֥לֶּה פֹ֛ה הַיּ֖וֹם כֻּלָּ֥נוּ חַיִּֽים׃
לֹ֣א אֶת־אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ כָּרַ֥ת יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־הַבְּרִ֣ית הַזֹּ֑את כִּ֣י אִתָּ֔נוּ אֲנַ֨חְנוּ אֵ֥לֶּה פֹ֛ה הַיּ֖וֹם כֻּלָּ֥נוּ חַיִּֽים׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

The verse (Devarim 5:3) appears in Moshe's recounting of Ma'amad Har Sinai (the Revelation at Sinai) to Bnei Yisrael before entering Eretz Yisrael. It emphasizes that the covenant was not only with the previous generation who experienced Matan Torah but applies equally to the current generation standing before Moshe.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi clarifies that "our fathers" refers to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, to whom Hashem made covenants—but not this specific covenant of Torah acceptance at Har Sinai. The covenant at Sinai was made directly with those standing there ("us"), binding all future generations as well.

The Ramban's Insight

Ramban explains that while the Avot had personal covenants with Hashem, this was the first national covenant binding the entire Jewish people collectively. The phrase "who are all of us here alive this day" teaches that the covenant extends to all Jewish souls present at Sinai—including those not yet born, as our Sages teach all Jewish souls were present at Matan Torah.

Talmudic Perspective (Shevuot 39a)

The Talmud derives from this verse the principle of arvut (mutual responsibility)—that all Jews are guarantors for one another in Torah observance. Since all souls were present at Sinai, every Jew bears responsibility for their fellow's mitzvah observance.

Midrashic Interpretation (Sifrei Devarim)

The Midrash emphasizes that the covenant's obligations apply equally to all generations. Though the physical generation changed from Sinai to Moav, the spiritual commitment remained binding because the covenant was made with "us"—the eternal Jewish people.

Practical Implications

  • The verse establishes Torah observance as binding on all Jews in all generations
  • It affirms that our connection to Sinai isn't merely historical but a living covenant
  • It teaches that Jewish unity stems from our shared experience at Har Sinai
  • It reminds us that every Jew must feel as if they personally stood at Sinai

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 5a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the covenant and the living presence of the people at the time of the covenant.
📖 Sanhedrin 90b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the resurrection of the dead and the eternal nature of the covenant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 5:3 mean when it says the covenant was not made with our fathers?
A: Rashi explains that this verse emphasizes that the covenant at Mount Sinai was not only made with the previous generation (the 'fathers' who left Egypt), but it applies equally to all future generations of the Jewish people. The Torah is eternally binding on every Jew, as if we personally stood at Sinai.
Q: Why does the verse say 'with us who are all alive today' if it was given to the generation in the desert?
A: The Talmud (Shevuot 39a) teaches that this teaches the principle that all Jewish souls - past, present and future - were spiritually present at Mount Sinai. Even future generations who were not physically alive at the time are included in the covenant, showing the eternal nature of our bond with Hashem.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 5:3 apply to Jews today?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 8:1) explains that this verse establishes that every Jew in every generation must view themselves as having personally received the Torah at Sinai. This creates an unbroken chain of tradition and obligation from Mount Sinai until today.
Q: What lesson can we learn from 'we are all alive today' in this verse?
A: The Sforno teaches that this reminds us the Torah is eternally relevant - not just an ancient document. Just as the generation at Sinai felt the Torah's commandments were vital to their lives, we must approach Torah with that same sense of immediacy and personal connection in our own times.
Q: Why is this covenant different from the ones made with our ancestors?
A: As the Malbim explains, earlier covenants (with Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov) were individual promises, while the covenant at Sinai established a national relationship between Hashem and the entire Jewish people as a collective entity for all time. This created mutual responsibilities between G-d and Israel as a nation.