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Hebrew Text
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם מִהְיֹת לָהֶם עֲבָדִים וָאֶשְׁבֹּר מֹטֹת עֻלְּכֶם וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם קוֹמְמִיּוּת׃
English Translation
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Miżrayim, that you should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bars of your yoke, and made you walk upright.
Transliteration
Ani Adonai Eloheichem asher hotzeiti etchem me'eretz Mitzrayim mihiyot lahem avadim va'esbor motot ulchem va'olech etchem komemiyut.
Hebrew Leining Text
אֲנִ֞י יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מִֽהְיֹ֥ת לָהֶ֖ם עֲבָדִ֑ים וָאֶשְׁבֹּר֙ מֹטֹ֣ת עֻלְּכֶ֔ם וָאוֹלֵ֥ךְ אֶתְכֶ֖ם קֽוֹמְמִיּֽוּת׃ {פ}
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Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Bava Metzia 61b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the prohibition of usury, emphasizing God's role in liberating the Israelites from Egypt as a basis for ethical financial practices.
📖 Sanhedrin 105a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the nature of divine commandments and the importance of remembering God's deliverance from Egypt.
Introduction to the Verse
This verse (Vayikra 26:13) appears in the Torah portion of Bechukotai, where Hashem reminds Bnei Yisrael of His redemption from Mitzrayim (Egypt) and His role in liberating them from slavery. The imagery of breaking the "bars of your yoke" and making them walk "upright" (קוֹמְמִיּוּת) conveys both physical and spiritual freedom.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi explains the phrase "וָאֶשְׁבֹּר מֹטֹת עֻלְּכֶם" ("I have broken the bars of your yoke") as referring to the heavy burdens of Egyptian slavery. The "yoke" symbolizes oppression, and Hashem shattered it completely. Regarding "וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם קוֹמְמִיּוּת" ("and made you walk upright"), Rashi interprets this as walking with pride and dignity, free from subjugation.
Rambam's Perspective
Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 9:1) emphasizes that the Exodus was not merely a historical event but a foundational demonstration of Hashem's power and providence. The breaking of the yoke signifies the removal of external oppression, while walking upright represents the internal freedom to serve Hashem without hindrance.
Midrashic Interpretation
The Midrash (Torat Kohanim 26:13) elaborates on the term "קוֹמְמִיּוּת", teaching that it implies standing tall like a komah sheleimah (a complete stature). This reflects both physical liberation and spiritual elevation—Bnei Yisrael were no longer bent under labor but could stand straight in devotion to Hashem.
Symbolism of the Yoke
Practical Lessons
This verse serves as a perpetual reminder that our service to Hashem must be with dignity and joy, not as slaves under coercion. The Seforno adds that walking upright symbolizes the moral and intellectual clarity granted to Bnei Yisrael upon receiving the Torah at Har Sinai.