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Exodus 13:5 - Divine promise, sacred observance.

Exodus 13:5 - שמות 13:5

Hebrew Text

וְהָיָה כִי־יְבִיאֲךָ יְהוָה אֶל־אֶרֶץ הַכְּנַעֲנִי וְהַחִתִּי וְהָאֱמֹרִי וְהַחִוִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ לָתֶת לָךְ אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ וְעָבַדְתָּ אֶת־הָעֲבֹדָה הַזֹּאת בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה׃

English Translation

And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Kena῾ani, and the Ḥitti, and the Emori, and the Ḥivvi, and the Yevusi, which he swore to thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.

Transliteration

Vehaya ki-yevi'akha Adonai el-eretz hakna'ani vehachiti veha'emori vehachivi vehayevusi asher nishba la'avotekha latet lakh eretz zavat chalav udvash ve'avadta et-ha'avodah hazot bachodesh hazeh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָיָ֣ה כִֽי־יְבִיאֲךָ֣ יְהֹוָ֡ה אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ הַֽ֠כְּנַעֲנִ֠י וְהַחִתִּ֨י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜י וְהַחִוִּ֣י וְהַיְבוּסִ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֤ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ לָ֣תֶת לָ֔ךְ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָ֑שׁ וְעָבַדְתָּ֛ אֶת־הָעֲבֹדָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַזֶּֽה׃
וְהָיָ֣ה כִֽי־יְבִיאֲךָ֣ יְהֹוָ֡ה אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ הַֽ֠כְּנַעֲנִ֠י וְהַחִתִּ֨י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜י וְהַחִוִּ֣י וְהַיְבוּסִ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֤ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ לָ֣תֶת לָ֔ךְ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָ֑שׁ וְעָבַדְתָּ֛ אֶת־הָעֲבֹדָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַזֶּֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context and Overview

This verse (Exodus 13:5) appears in the context of the mitzvah of sanctifying the firstborn and observing the festival of Pesach (Passover). It emphasizes the future fulfillment of Hashem's promise to bring Bnei Yisrael into Eretz Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, where they must continue the service of Pesach.

The Promise of the Land

Rashi explains that the enumeration of the seven Canaanite nations (here, five are mentioned) serves as a reminder that despite their current strength, Hashem will drive them out to fulfill His oath to the Avot (Patriarchs). The phrase "אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ" ("a land flowing with milk and honey") is interpreted literally by Ramban (Nachmanides) as a sign of the land's fertility, where milk flows from goats and honey from dates and figs (as per Talmud, Ketubot 111b).

The Mitzvah of Pesach in the Land

The verse concludes with the obligation to observe "הָעֲבֹדָה הַזֹּאת" ("this service") in the month of Nissan. The Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 1:3) clarifies that this refers to the Korban Pesach (Paschal offering), which was to be brought after entering Eretz Yisrael. The Sforno adds that this mitzvah would serve as an eternal reminder of the Exodus, reinforcing emunah (faith) in Hashem's providence.

Spiritual Significance

  • Continuity of Redemption: The Ibn Ezra notes that just as Hashem redeemed Bnei Yisrael from Egypt, He would complete their redemption by bringing them to the Land, linking physical and spiritual freedom.
  • Divine Oath: The mention of the oath to the Avot (as highlighted by Rashbam) underscores the eternal covenant between Hashem and Klal Yisrael, binding the past, present, and future.

Historical and Ethical Lessons

The Kli Yakar emphasizes that the listing of the Canaanite nations serves as a warning: Bnei Yisrael must not emulate their corrupt practices (as noted in Vayikra 18:3). The gift of the Land is conditional upon moral and spiritual fidelity, a theme echoed by the prophets.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 17a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the blessings and promises of the Land of Israel, emphasizing its fertility and the divine promise to the ancestors.
📖 Sotah 11b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the Exodus and the fulfillment of God's promises to bring the Israelites into a land flowing with milk and honey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'a land flowing with milk and honey' mean in Exodus 13:5?
A: The phrase 'a land flowing with milk and honey' describes the fertility and abundance of the Land of Israel. 'Milk' symbolizes the richness of livestock and dairy products, while 'honey' refers to the sweetness of fruits, particularly date honey (Rashi on Exodus 3:8). This emphasizes that the land is blessed and capable of sustaining the Jewish people.
Q: Why does the verse list the nations (Kena'ani, Hitti, etc.) before mentioning the Land of Israel?
A: The Torah lists these nations to remind the Jewish people that the land was inhabited by powerful nations, yet Hashem would help them conquer it as part of His promise to the forefathers (Ramban on Exodus 13:5). This reinforces that the conquest was miraculous and divinely ordained.
Q: What is 'this service in this month' referring to in Exodus 13:5?
A: 'This service' refers to the mitzvah of observing Passover (Pesach) and eating matzah, as mentioned earlier in the chapter (Rashi on Exodus 13:5). 'This month' is the month of Nissan, when the Exodus occurred, teaching that future generations must relive the redemption through these commandments.
Q: How does Exodus 13:5 connect to the Jewish people today?
A: This verse reminds us of Hashem's eternal covenant with the Jewish people and the significance of the Land of Israel. Even today, we acknowledge this promise in prayers and holidays like Passover, reinforcing our bond with the land and our history (Mishnah Pesachim 10:5).
Q: Why does the Torah emphasize that Hashem 'swore' to give the land to our forefathers?
A: The mention of Hashem's oath highlights that the promise to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov was unconditional and eternal (Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 9). This assures the Jewish people that their right to the land is divinely guaranteed, regardless of challenges.