Deuteronomy-5-1-18
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Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).
Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:
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other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job,
the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and
history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
(JPS-1917
version of the Tanakh).
Please
Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth
from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2.
However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
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Part One.
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Foreword:
This section of Devarim is indeed “hardy”, as it contains the second delivery of the “Aseret HaDibrot” (the “Ten Utterances”). At this point in the narrative, Moshe Rabbeinu is addressing the new generation, those who would enter the Land, and he is ensuring that the Covenant made at Sinai is not viewed as a dry historical event, but as a living, binding reality.
Introduction
to Deuteronomy 5:1-18:
In this chapter, Moshe shifts from reviewing history to reviewing the Law. He begins by summoning all of Israel to “Hear” (Shema), “Learn” (Lemed), and “Observe” (Shamar). The essence of his introduction is that the Covenant was not just for the patriarchs or the generation that perished in the wilderness; it was made with us, those standing there that day.
This section reinforces the concept of “Ma’amad Har Sinai” (the Standing at Sinai) as a national experience of the Divine Word, transitioning into the first six of the Ten Utterances.
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Davarim
- Deuteronomy Chapter 5:1-18. (JPS-1917
version of the Torah).
1. And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them: “Hear, O Israel”, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and observe to do them.
2. יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Elohim (God) made a covenant with us in Horeb.
3. יְהוָה - the LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
4. יְהוָה - the LORD spoke with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire
5. I stood between יְהוָה - the LORD and you at that time, to declare unto you the word of יְהוָה - the LORD; for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount-saying:
6. יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - I am the LORD thy Elohim, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
7. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, even any manner of likeness, of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
8. Thou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve them; for יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - I the LORD thy Elohim am a jealous אֱלֹהִים, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate Me,
9. and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments.
10. Thou shalt not take the name of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elohim in vain; for יְהוָה - the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.
11. Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elohim commanded thee.
12. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work;
13. but the seventh day is a Sabbath unto יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elohim, in it thou shalt not do any manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou.
14. And thou shalt remember that thou was a servant in the land of Egypt, and יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elohim brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elohim commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.
15. Honour thy father and thy mother, as יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elohim commanded thee; that thy days may be long, and that it may go well with thee, upon the land which יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elohim giveth thee.
16. Thou shalt not murder. Neither shalt thou commit adultery. Neither shalt thou steal. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17. Neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s wife; neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
18. These words יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice, and it went on no more. And He wrote them upon two tables of stone, and gave them unto me.
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Let
us now check the ‘verse by verse’ section and the Commentary:
The Living
Covenant (Verses 1-5).
Verse 1: Moshe calls all Israel together. He uses three specific verbs: ‘Shema’ (listen with intent), ‘Lemed’ (study), and ‘Shamar’ (guard/perform). This creates the cycle of Hebrew life intellectual mastery leading to practical observance.
Verses 2-3: Moshe emphasizes that the Covenant was made “not with our fathers” (alone), but with “us, who are all of us here alive today”. This establishes the principle that every generation must view itself as having stood at the foot of the mountain.
Verses 4-5: Moshe describes the intimacy of the revelation: “Face to face did יְהוָה - the LORD speak with you”. Yet, he notes his own role as the intermediary (Amad) to convey the Word because the people were afraid of the fire.
The First
Utterance: Divine Identity (Verse 6):
Verse 6: “אֲנִי יָהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם- יְהוָה- the LORD your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt...”
Explanation: It is significant that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim does not identify Himself as the Creator of Heaven and Earth here, but as the Redeemer from slavery. This establishes the relationship based on a historical act of kindness and liberation!
The Second Utterance:
Exclusive Devotion (Verses 7-10):
Verse 7: “You shall have no other deities before Me”. This forbids the belief in or worship of any other power.
Verses 8-10: This prohibits the making of Pesel (graven images). It describes אֱלֹהִים as El Kanna (a jealous/zealous אֱלֹהִים). The warning about visiting iniquity upon the third and fourth generations is balanced by the promise of Chesed (kindness) to the thousandth generation for those who love Him.
The Third Utterance:
The Sanctity of the Name (Verse 11):
Verse 11: The prohibition against taking the Name of Hashem L’shav (in vain). This covers both perjury in court and the casual, disrespectful use of the Holy Name, reinforcing that our speech must reflect the holiness of our Creator.
The Fourth
Utterance: The Sabbath (Verses 12-15):
Verse 12: Note the word “Shamor” (Observe/Guard). In the Exodus version, it said “Zachor” (Remember). The Sages teach that both were spoken in a single utterance.
Verses 13-14: The Sabbath is defined as a total cessation of labour for all, including children, servants, and even animals.
Verse 15: In Devarim, the reason given for Shabbat is historical: “Remember that you were a slave in Egypt”. We rest to demonstrate that we are free men under God, not slaves to production.
The Fifth
Utterance: Honoring Parents (Verse 16):
Verse 16: “Honour your father and your mother”. This is the bridge between the duties to אֱלֹהִים and the duties to man. Interestingly, this is the first commandment in this list that includes a specific promise: “that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you”.
The Sixth Utterance: Protection of Life (Verse 17):
Verse 17: “Lo Tirtzach” (You shall not murder). This is the absolute prohibition against the illegal taking of human life, which is created in the “Tzelem Elokim” (Image of אֱלֹהִים).
The Seventh Utterance: Sanctity of Marriage (Verse 18):
Verse 18: “Lo Tin’af” (You shall not commit adultery). This protects the sanctity of the family unit, which is the bedrock of the community and the primary vehicle for passing on the Covenant.
My Closing Statement:
Amazingly, this chapter reminds us that the Torah is not a relic of the past, but very much in a “present-tense” document. By beginning with the reminder that the Covenant is with “us, the living”, Moshe prepares the people to receive the “Aseret HaDibrot” not as a list of rules, but as the foundational identity of a “free people”. From the recognition of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as Redeemer to the protection of the home and life, these verses outline a society built on the recognition of Divine Sovereignty and human dignity!
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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem;
walk in My statutes, and keep Mine
ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign
between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה
- the LORD your Eloheichem”.
Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as
follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”
For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,
He
is the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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