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Deuteronomy 9:4 - Pride or Providence?

Deuteronomy 9:4 - דברים 9:4

Hebrew Text

אַל־תֹּאמַר בִּלְבָבְךָ בַּהֲדֹף יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֹתָם מִלְּפָנֶיךָ לֵאמֹר בְּצִדְקָתִי הֱבִיאַנִי יְהוָה לָרֶשֶׁת אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת וּבְרִשְׁעַת הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה יְהוָה מוֹרִישָׁם מִפָּנֶיךָ׃

English Translation

Speak not thou in thy heart, after the Lord thy God has cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land: and for the wickedness of these nations the Lord does drive them out from before thee.

Transliteration

Al-tomar bilvavekha bahadof Adonai Elohekha otam milfanekha lemor betzidkati hevi'ani Adonai lareshet et-ha'aretz hazot uvrishat hagoyim ha'eleh Adonai morisham mipanekha.

Hebrew Leining Text

אַל־תֹּאמַ֣ר בִּלְבָבְךָ֗ בַּהֲדֹ֣ף יְהֹוָה֩ אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ אֹתָ֥ם <small>׀</small> מִלְּפָנֶ֘יךָ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ בְּצִדְקָתִי֙ הֱבִיאַ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֔ה לָרֶ֖שֶׁת אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙ הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֔לֶּה יְהֹוָ֖ה מוֹרִישָׁ֥ם מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃
אַל־תֹּאמַ֣ר בִּלְבָבְךָ֗ בַּהֲדֹ֣ף יְהֹוָה֩ אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ אֹתָ֥ם ׀ מִלְּפָנֶ֘יךָ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ בְּצִדְקָתִי֙ הֱבִיאַ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֔ה לָרֶ֖שֶׁת אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙ הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֔לֶּה יְהֹוָ֖ה מוֹרִישָׁ֥ם מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse

The verse (Devarim 9:4) warns the Jewish people against attributing their conquest of Eretz Yisrael to their own righteousness. Instead, it emphasizes that the nations were expelled due to their wickedness, not because of Israel's merit. This idea is central to maintaining humility and recognizing Hashem's role in their success.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "אַל־תֹּאמַר בִּלְבָבְךָ" ("Do not say in your heart") refers to an internal thought, not just spoken words. He emphasizes that even privately, one should not entertain the notion that their righteousness earned them the land. Rashi further clarifies that the expulsion of the Canaanite nations was due to their sins, such as idolatry and immorality, as stated in Vayikra 18:24-28.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (3:32), Rambam discusses Divine Providence and explains that the conquest of Eretz Yisrael was part of Hashem's broader plan for establishing a nation dedicated to Torah and mitzvot. The verse serves as a reminder that the Jewish people's role is to fulfill their mission, not to take credit for events orchestrated by Divine will.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Sifrei (Devarim 9:4) teaches that this warning was necessary because human nature tends toward arrogance when experiencing success. The Torah counters this by attributing the conquest to Hashem's justice against the Canaanites.
  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Ki Tavo 1) compares this to a king who removes tenants from a vineyard not because the new tenants are worthy, but because the former ones were corrupt. Similarly, the Jewish people must remain humble and recognize their dependence on Hashem's mercy.

Practical Lessons

This verse teaches:

  • Humility: Success should not lead to self-righteousness but to gratitude and recognition of Divine intervention.
  • Accountability: The Jewish people must avoid the sins of the displaced nations to merit remaining in the land.
  • Divine Justice: Hashem's actions are based on righteousness, and human beings must align themselves with His will.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 8a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the dangers of arrogance and attributing one's success to personal righteousness rather than divine will.
📖 Nedarim 32a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the importance of humility and the pitfalls of self-righteousness, particularly in the context of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 9:4 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 9:4 warns the Jewish people not to mistakenly believe that they inherited the Land of Israel because of their own righteousness. Rather, it was due to the wickedness of the Canaanite nations and God's promise to the forefathers (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov). Rashi explains that this verse teaches humility—even when we succeed, we must recognize that it comes from God's kindness, not our own merit.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it reminds us to avoid arrogance and recognize that our blessings come from God, not our own deeds. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 2:3) teaches that humility is a key Jewish value. The Talmud (Sotah 5a) also warns that pride can lead to downfall, reinforcing the message of this verse.
Q: How can we apply Deuteronomy 9:4 in daily life?
A: We can apply this verse by practicing gratitude and humility. When we experience success—whether in livelihood, health, or other blessings—we should remember that it comes from God's kindness, not our own worthiness. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 3:6) teaches that acknowledging God's role in our achievements protects us from spiritual downfall.
Q: What does 'for the wickedness of these nations' refer to?
A: Traditional Jewish sources (Rashi, Ibn Ezra) explain that the Canaanite nations were guilty of severe immoral practices, including idolatry and cruelty. The Torah (Vayikra 18:24-25) states that the land 'vomited out' its inhabitants due to their sins. Their expulsion was a divine judgment, not merely a military conquest by Israel.
Q: Does this verse mean our actions don't matter?
A: No—our actions absolutely matter! The verse warns against arrogance, not effort. The Talmud (Berachot 33b) teaches that 'everything is in the hands of Heaven except the fear of Heaven.' We must strive to do mitzvot while recognizing that outcomes depend on God's will. Ramban (Deuteronomy 9:5) clarifies that Israel's merit was God's covenant with their ancestors, but they still needed to uphold Torah.