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Deuteronomy 9:5 - Divine promise, not merit

Deuteronomy 9:5 - דברים 9:5

Hebrew Text

לֹא בְצִדְקָתְךָ וּבְיֹשֶׁר לְבָבְךָ אַתָּה בָא לָרֶשֶׁת אֶת־אַרְצָם כִּי בְּרִשְׁעַת הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ מוֹרִישָׁם מִפָּנֶיךָ וּלְמַעַן הָקִים אֶת־הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע יְהוָה לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיַעֲקֹב׃

English Translation

Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but on account of the wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God does drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the Lord swore to thy fathers, Avraham, Yiżĥaq, and Ya῾aqov.

Transliteration

Lo v'tzidkatecha uvyosher l'vavcha ata ba larashet et-artzam ki birish'at hagoyim ha'eleh Adonai Eloheicha morisham mipanecha ul'maan hakim et-hadavar asher nishba Adonai la'avotecha l'Avraham l'Yitzchak ul'Yaakov.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹ֣א בְצִדְקָתְךָ֗ וּבְיֹ֙שֶׁר֙ לְבָ֣בְךָ֔ אַתָּ֥ה בָ֖א לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אֶת־אַרְצָ֑ם כִּ֞י בְּרִשְׁעַ֣ת <b>׀</b> הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֗לֶּה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ מוֹרִישָׁ֣ם מִפָּנֶ֔יךָ וּלְמַ֜עַן הָקִ֣ים אֶת־הַדָּבָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ לַאֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב׃
לֹ֣א בְצִדְקָתְךָ֗ וּבְיֹ֙שֶׁר֙ לְבָ֣בְךָ֔ אַתָּ֥ה בָ֖א לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אֶת־אַרְצָ֑ם כִּ֞י בְּרִשְׁעַ֣ת ׀ הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֗לֶּה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ מוֹרִישָׁ֣ם מִפָּנֶ֔יךָ וּלְמַ֜עַן הָקִ֣ים אֶת־הַדָּבָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ לַאֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse in Context

The verse (Devarim 9:5) comes as part of Moshe Rabbeinu's admonition to Bnei Yisrael before their entry into Eretz Yisrael. It emphasizes that their merit alone is not the reason for inheriting the land, but rather two key factors: the wickedness of the Canaanite nations and the fulfillment of Hashem's covenant with the Avot.

Key Themes and Interpretations

  • Not Due to Israel's Righteousness: Rashi explains that Moshe is cautioning Bnei Yisrael against arrogance, reminding them that their possession of the land is not a reward for their own righteousness. This aligns with the broader theme in Sefer Devarim of warning against self-righteousness after entering the land.
  • The Wickedness of the Nations: The Ramban (Nachmanides) elaborates that the Canaanite nations had reached a state of irredeemable corruption, similar to the generation of the Flood or the people of Sedom. Their expulsion was a divine judgment, not merely a geopolitical event.
  • Fulfillment of the Covenant: The Sforno highlights that the primary reason for the conquest is Hashem's oath to the Avot—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. This underscores the eternal nature of the covenant and Hashem's faithfulness to His promises.

Lessons for Jewish Thought

The Meshech Chochmah (R' Meir Simcha of Dvinsk) derives from this verse that even when Bnei Yisrael are undeserving, Hashem's promises to the Avot ensure their continuity in the land. However, this does not negate the need for moral responsibility; the verse serves as a reminder that dwelling in Eretz Yisrael requires upholding the values of the Avot.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Eikev 3) connects this verse to the idea that the land itself rejects sinful inhabitants, as seen in Vayikra 18:28. Thus, the Canaanites' expulsion was inevitable due to their moral decay, while Bnei Yisrael's retention of the land depends on their adherence to Torah.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 7a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the merit of the forefathers (zechut avot) and how it benefits their descendants, emphasizing that the Israelites' possession of the land is not due to their own righteousness but because of God's promise to the patriarchs.
📖 Nedarim 20a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the concept of divine justice and the reasons for the dispossession of the Canaanite nations, highlighting that it was due to their wickedness rather than the Israelites' merit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 9:5 mean when it says 'Not for thy righteousness... dost thou go to possess their land'?
A: The verse teaches that the Israelites did not merit the Land of Israel because of their own righteousness, but rather because of two reasons: 1) The wickedness of the Canaanite nations who were being displaced (Rashi), and 2) God's promise to the forefathers - Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov (Ramban). This humility is meant to prevent arrogance about possessing the land.
Q: Why does the Torah emphasize that the land wasn't given due to Israel's righteousness?
A: The Torah stresses this to prevent the Jewish people from becoming arrogant when inheriting the land (Sforno). It reminds us that everything comes from God's kindness and His covenant with our ancestors, not our own merits. This principle applies to all divine blessings we receive.
Q: How does God's promise to the forefathers relate to inheriting the land?
A: The verse connects the conquest of Canaan to God's eternal covenant with Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov (Bereishit 15:18-21). Even when later generations might not be worthy, God fulfills His promises to the righteous ancestors (Midrash Tanchuma). This shows the power of the merit of our forefathers (zechut avot).
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 9:5 today?
A: We learn that: 1) We must attribute successes to God's kindness rather than our own merits (Mesillat Yesharim), 2) The land of Israel is our eternal inheritance based on God's promise, and 3) We should be mindful of the wickedness that causes nations to lose their right to land (Malbim).
Q: What does 'the wickedness of these nations' refer to in this verse?
A: The wickedness refers to the immoral practices of the Canaanite nations including idolatry, sexual immorality and cruelty (Rashi on Vayikra 18:3). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 57a) explains they were given ample warning time to repent before being displaced. Their extreme corruption justified their removal from the land.