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Exodus 20:19 - Divine voice from heaven speaks.

Exodus 20:19 - שמות 20:19

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה כֹּה תֹאמַר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם כִּי מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם דִּבַּרְתִּי עִמָּכֶם׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, Thus thou shalt say to the children of Yisra᾽el, You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

Transliteration

Vayomer Adonay el-Moshe ko tomar el-bnei Yisrael atem re'item ki min-hashamayim dibarti imachem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה כֹּ֥ה תֹאמַ֖ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אַתֶּ֣ם רְאִיתֶ֔ם כִּ֚י מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי עִמָּכֶֽם׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה כֹּ֥ה תֹאמַ֖ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אַתֶּ֣ם רְאִיתֶ֔ם כִּ֚י מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי עִמָּכֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Shemot 20:19) appears immediately after the revelation at Har Sinai, where Hashem spoke the Aseret HaDibrot (Ten Commandments) directly to Bnei Yisrael. This moment was unparalleled in human history—Hashem revealed Himself to an entire nation, demonstrating His direct relationship with Klal Yisrael.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments on the phrase "כִּי מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם דִּבַּרְתִּי עִמָּכֶם" ("that I have talked with you from heaven") by noting that Hashem lowered the heavens and spread them over Har Sinai like a canopy (based on Midrash Tanchuma). This emphasizes that the Divine Presence was tangibly close to Bnei Yisrael, not distant or abstract. Rashi further explains that this was to show that Hashem is not confined to the heavens but interacts directly with His people.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (1:5), Rambam discusses how this revelation established the authenticity of Moshe's prophecy. Since Bnei Yisrael directly heard Hashem's words, they could never doubt Moshe's role as the true intermediary. This verse reinforces that their experience was not hearsay but firsthand knowledge of Divine communication.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Shemot Rabbah (29:4) teaches that Hashem spoke from heaven to emphasize that His words are eternal and transcendent, unlike earthly kings whose decrees may change.
  • Mechilta D'Rabbi Yishmael states that the heavens were "torn open" at Har Sinai, symbolizing that the barrier between the physical and spiritual realms was temporarily removed.

Halachic Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 25) connects this verse to the prohibition of idolatry. Since Bnei Yisrael witnessed Hashem's direct speech—without form or image—they were commanded never to attribute divinity to physical representations. This experience became the foundation for emunah (faith) in an incorporeal G-d.

Kabbalistic Interpretation

The Zohar (Shemot 88a) explains that "from heaven" refers to the Sefirah of Tiferet, the central channel of Divine emanation. This signifies that the Torah was given with perfect balance of Chesed (kindness) and Gevurah (judgment), unifying all spiritual realms in its transmission.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Makkot 24a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the unique nature of divine communication with Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that Hashem spoke 'from heaven' in Exodus 20:19?
A: Rashi explains that Hashem spoke from heaven to demonstrate that He is not limited to earthly forms or locations. This emphasizes His complete otherness and divinity. The Midrash (Mechilta) adds that the voice came from all directions to show Hashem's omnipresence.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is foundational because it confirms the divine origin of the Torah. The Rambam (Maimonides) lists belief in divine revelation as one of the 13 Principles of Faith. The fact that all Israel heard Hashem speak at Sinai establishes the authenticity of our Torah tradition.
Q: How does this verse about hearing Hashem's voice apply to us today?
A: The Talmud (Makot 24a) teaches that while our ancestors heard Hashem's voice directly at Sinai, we connect to that revelation through Torah study. Just as they were witnesses to the divine voice, we become links in the chain of transmission by faithfully learning and observing Torah.