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Deuteronomy 7:13 - Divine love brings abundant blessings.

Deuteronomy 7:13 - דברים 7:13

Hebrew Text

וַאֲהֵבְךָ וּבֵרַכְךָ וְהִרְבֶּךָ וּבֵרַךְ פְּרִי־בִטְנְךָ וּפְרִי־אַדְמָתֶךָ דְּגָנְךָ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ שְׁגַר־אֲלָפֶיךָ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹת צֹאנֶךָ עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּע לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ לָתֶת לָךְ׃

English Translation

and he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: and will bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thy oil, the increase of thy cattle, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he swore to thy fathers to give thee.

Transliteration

Va'ahavkha uverakhekha vehirbekha uverakh pri-bitnekha ufrei-admatekha degankha vetiroshkha veyitzharekha shegar-alafekha ve'ashtrot tzonekha al ha'adama asher-nishba la'avotekha latet lakh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַאֲהֵ֣בְךָ֔ וּבֵרַכְךָ֖ וְהִרְבֶּ֑ךָ וּבֵרַ֣ךְ פְּרִֽי־בִטְנְךָ֣ וּפְרִֽי־אַ֠דְמָתֶ֠ךָ דְּגָ֨נְךָ֜ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ֣ וְיִצְהָרֶ֗ךָ שְׁגַר־אֲלָפֶ֙יךָ֙ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת צֹאנֶ֔ךָ עַ֚ל הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ לָ֥תֶת לָֽךְ׃
וַאֲהֵ֣בְךָ֔ וּבֵרַכְךָ֖ וְהִרְבֶּ֑ךָ וּבֵרַ֣ךְ פְּרִֽי־בִטְנְךָ֣ וּפְרִֽי־אַ֠דְמָתֶ֠ךָ דְּגָ֨נְךָ֜ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ֣ וְיִצְהָרֶ֗ךָ שְׁגַר־אֲלָפֶ֙יךָ֙ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת צֹאנֶ֔ךָ עַ֚ל הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ לָ֥תֶת לָֽךְ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

This verse (Devarim 7:13) describes the blessings Hashem promises to bestow upon Bnei Yisrael if they adhere to His commandments. The blessings encompass both physical prosperity (agricultural and livestock abundance) and spiritual fulfillment (divine love and multiplication of offspring). The verse emphasizes the covenantal relationship between Hashem and the Jewish people, rooted in the oath made to the Avot (Patriarchs).

Key Themes and Interpretations

  • Divine Love (וַאֲהֵבְךָ): Rashi explains that this love is not arbitrary but conditional upon fulfilling mitzvot. The Sifrei (Devarim 43) elaborates that Hashem's love manifests through guidance and closeness, akin to a parent's love for a child.
  • Blessing and Multiplication (וּבֵרַכְךָ וְהִרְבֶּךָ): Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 9:1) teaches that these blessings are part of the reward for mitzvah observance in this world, while the ultimate reward is in Olam Haba (the World to Come). The multiplication of offspring fulfills the promise to Avraham of descendants as numerous as the stars (Bereishit 15:5).
  • Fruit of the Womb and Land (פְּרִי־בִטְנְךָ וּפְרִי־אַדְמָתֶךָ): The Talmud (Berachot 35a) connects agricultural success to Torah study, stating that when Klal Yisrael is devoted to Torah, their material needs are provided. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 3:6) adds that these blessings are interdependent—children and crops flourish together as a sign of divine favor.

Specific Blessings: Grain, Wine, and Oil (דְּגָנְךָ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ)

These three staples represent sustenance and joy. The Ramban notes that they are central to mitzvot (e.g., challah from grain, wine for Kiddush, oil for Menorah). Their abundance signifies a thriving, spiritually attuned society. The Talmud (Ta’anit 4b) teaches that these blessings are withheld when the people neglect Torah and chesed (kindness).

Cattle and Flocks (שְׁגַר־אֲלָפֶיךָ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹת צֹאנֶךָ)

Rashi interprets שְׁגַר as offspring (calves) and עַשְׁתְּרֹת as abundant flocks. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 38) links this to the idea that prosperity in livestock reflects divine approval, as seen in the wealth of the Avot. The Kli Yakar emphasizes that these blessings are tied to Eretz Yisrael—only in the land sworn to the Avot do they reach their full potential.

Covenantal Context

The verse concludes by anchoring these blessings in the oath to the Avot. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) explains that the merit of the Avot ensures the promise's fulfillment, but the people must uphold their end through mitzvot. This duality—divine grace and human responsibility—is central to the Torah’s vision of bracha (blessing).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 40a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the blessings of the land and the importance of gratitude for these blessings.
📖 Sotah 11a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the rewards for fulfilling God's commandments and the blessings promised to the Israelites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 7:13 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 7:13 describes the blessings Hashem promises to the Jewish people if they follow His commandments. These blessings include love from Hashem, prosperity, fertility (many children), abundant crops (grain, wine, oil), and thriving livestock—all in the Land of Israel, which was sworn to our forefathers.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between Hashem and the Jewish people. According to Rashi and Rambam, these blessings are contingent upon observing mitzvot (commandments). It teaches that material and spiritual success in the Land of Israel is directly tied to our faithfulness to Torah.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 7:13 today?
A: We learn that Hashem’s blessings—both physical and spiritual—are connected to our commitment to Torah and mitzvot. The Talmud (Berachot 35a) explains that when we prioritize serving Hashem, He ensures our material needs are met. This principle applies today, reminding us that success comes through Divine favor earned by righteous living.
Q: How does this verse apply to agricultural laws in Judaism?
A: The mention of grain, wine, and oil in this verse connects to agricultural mitzvot like terumah (tithes for priests), maaser (tithes for Levites and the poor), and shmita (Sabbatical year). Rambam (Hilchot Shemita) teaches that observing these laws ensures the land’s fertility, fulfilling the blessing of 'fruit of your land.'
Q: Does this verse promise only material blessings?
A: No. While material prosperity is mentioned, the verse begins with 'He will love you'—highlighting a spiritual relationship. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explains that Hashem’s love is the foundation of all blessings. True fulfillment comes from combining physical abundance with closeness to Hashem through Torah and mitzvot.