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Deuteronomy 9:7 - Wilderness rebellion: why forget?

Deuteronomy 9:7 - דברים 9:7

Hebrew Text

זְכֹר אַל־תִּשְׁכַּח אֵת אֲשֶׁר־הִקְצַפְתָּ אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בַּמִּדְבָּר לְמִן־הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר־יָצָאתָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם עַד־בֹּאֲכֶם עַד־הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה מַמְרִים הֱיִיתֶם עִם־יְהוָה׃

English Translation

Remember, and forget not, how thou didst provoke the Lord thy God to anger in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Miżrayim, until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord.

Transliteration

Zechor al-tishkach et asher-hiktzafta et-Adonai Elohecha bamidbar lemin-hayom asher-yatzata me'eretz Mitzrayim ad-bo'achem ad-hamakom hazeh mamrim heyitem im-Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

זְכֹר֙ אַל־תִּשְׁכַּ֔ח אֵ֧ת אֲשֶׁר־הִקְצַ֛פְתָּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר לְמִן־הַיּ֞וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יָצָ֣אתָ <b>׀</b> מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם עַד־בֹּֽאֲכֶם֙ עַד־הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה מַמְרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם עִם־יְהֹוָֽה׃
זְכֹר֙ אַל־תִּשְׁכַּ֔ח אֵ֧ת אֲשֶׁר־הִקְצַ֛פְתָּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר לְמִן־הַיּ֞וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יָצָ֣אתָ ׀ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם עַד־בֹּֽאֲכֶם֙ עַד־הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה מַמְרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם עִם־יְהֹוָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 9:7, where Moshe Rabbeinu admonishes Bnei Yisrael before their entry into Eretz Yisrael. The verse serves as a reminder of their past rebellions during their journey through the wilderness, emphasizing the need for humility and repentance.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "זְכֹר אַל־תִּשְׁכַּח" ("Remember, and forget not") employs both a positive and negative commandment to reinforce the importance of recalling their transgressions. The doubling of language underscores that forgetting their past sins would lead to arrogance, making them believe they merited the land through their own righteousness rather than Hashem's grace.

Rebellion in the Wilderness

The verse specifies that Bnei Yisrael provoked Hashem "from the day you left Egypt until you came to this place." The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) enumerates several key rebellions:

  • The sin of the Golden Calf (Cheit HaEgel) at Har Sinai.
  • The complaints at Marah and Massah regarding water.
  • The incident of the spies (Meraglim), which delayed their entry into the land.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 7:3) teaches that remembering past sins is crucial for teshuvah (repentance). By recalling their rebellions, Bnei Yisrael would avoid repeating them and instead strengthen their commitment to mitzvot upon entering the land.

Spiritual Lesson

The verse serves as a timeless lesson: humility before Hashem requires acknowledging past failures. The wilderness period was a time of testing, and remembering these trials ensures that future generations recognize their dependence on divine mercy rather than their own merits.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 9:7 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 9:7 reminds the Jewish people not to forget how they angered Hashem during their 40 years in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The verse serves as a warning against rebellion and disobedience to G-d's commandments.
Q: Why is remembering our past mistakes important in Judaism?
A: Remembering past mistakes is central to Jewish thought because it helps us avoid repeating them. As Rashi explains on this verse, recalling our ancestors' rebellions in the desert teaches humility and the importance of following G-d's ways.
Q: What specific rebellions is this verse referring to?
A: This verse refers to several major rebellions mentioned in the Torah, including the Golden Calf (Exodus 32), the complaints about food (Numbers 11), and the sin of the spies (Numbers 13-14). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a) discusses these events as examples of how even great people can stumble.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: The Rambam teaches that every Jew should view themselves as having personally left Egypt (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah 7:6). Similarly, we must learn from our ancestors' mistakes in the wilderness - to strengthen our faith and commitment to Torah observance in our own generation.
Q: Why does the Torah emphasize remembering the wilderness experience?
A: The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explains that the wilderness period was a time of testing and spiritual growth. Remembering both the miracles and the failures helps us appreciate G-d's patience and the importance of remaining faithful, especially during challenging times in our lives.