1)

What is the connection between this Pasuk and the previous one?

1.

Seforno: If the people avoid being attracted to their enemies' gods, then they will all be able to serve Hashem without fear of anyone talking them out of doing so.

2)

What is "va'Avad'tem es Hashem ... " referring to?

1.

Ramban, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It refers to worshipping Hashem (bringing Korbanos).

2.

Ba'al ha'Turim: It refers to Tefilah. 1

3.

Bava Kama, 92b: It refers to Keri'as Sh'ma and Tefilah.


1

Refer to 23:25:3:1. This follows the opinion of the Rambam, that "Avodah" refers to Avodah she'be'Lev - Tefilah (See also Rashi and Ba'al ha'Turim, Eikev, Devarim 11:13). According to the Ramban and other commentaries, (Tefilah is purely mi'de'Rabbanan, and) the Pasuk is speaking about the performing of Mitzvos (Refer to 23:25:2:1 & 23:25:3:2).

3)

Why does the Pasuk begin in the plural ("va'Avad'tem es Hashem ... ") and switch to the singular ("u'Veirach es Lachm'cha ve'es Meimecha"?

1.

Ba'al ha'Turim: Because on the one hand, Hashem never rejects the Tefilos 1 of the Tzibur, whilst, on the other, He proceeds to bless each member of the community according to his individual needs.

2.

K'li Yakar: Bearing in mind that 'All of Yisrael are responsible for one another', it is only when a large number of people are serving Hashem in unison 2 that He blesses each individual according to his needs.


1

Refer to 23:25:2:2.

2

Refer to 23:25:2:1.

4)

What is the sequence of the beginning of the Pasuk, the end of the Pasuk and the following Pesukim?

1.

Ramban: Most idolaters understand that Hashem is G-d over all deities, only they believe that worshipping His servants will bring them success. 1 Therefore the Torah writes that it is through worshipping Hashem exclusively that one attains success and protection, and that destroying the idols, far from causing harm, brings only goodness and blessing 2 in its wake. 3

2.

Ba'al ha'Turim: Refer to 23:25:3:1,

3.

K'li Yakar: Refer to 23:25:3:2.


1

For example, worshipping the sun will result in a successful harvest, and the moon, in abundant water in the fountains - and similarly, by worshipping the stars, and even more so by worshipping the angels (Ramban).

2

Abundance (Ramban).

3

As the Pesukim (25-28) go on to explain (Ramban).

5)

What kind of blessing (of one's bread and water) is the Torah referring to?

1.

Ramban: It means that there will be an abundance of food and beverages.

2.

Seforno: It means that the bread that one eats will satiate and not cause illnesses. 1

3.

Lev Eliyahu (p.196): It is also a B'rachah for Torah. 2

4.

Refer to 23:25:6:3**.


1

Presumably, the same applies to the water that one drinks (Refer to 23:25:6:2).

2

Lev Eliyahu: As we find in Mishlei 9:5 "L'chu Lachamu be'Lachami" and in Yeshayah 55:1 "Hoy Kol Tzamei L'chu la'Mayim".

6)

Why does the Torah write "Lachm'cha - 'your bread'?

1.

B'rachos, 48b: It is only called 'your bread' before you eat it - and, reading "u'Varech" as if it was written "u'Verach' ('recite a B'rachah!') the Pausk is obligating a B'rachah before eating bread. 1


1

Though it must be an Asmachta, since the B'rachah before eating is only mi'de'Rabbanan.

7)

What is the significance of the comparison of 'your water' to 'your bread'?

1.

Eruvin, 65s: Just as 'your bread' can be bought with Ma'aser Sheini money, so too, 'your water', which must therefore be referring to wine. 1 And what the Pasuk therefore implies is, unless the wine flows like water, 2 it is not considered a B'rachah.

2.

Oznayim la'Torah: Until now, Yisrael were guests at Hashem's Table - they ate bread from the sky and drank water from a roving well. Once they entered Eretz Cana'an however,, they would eat their own bread - that they baked, and drink their own water - that they themselves dug. That too, however, would come with a Divine blessing, provided they listened to Hashem's word.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 154.

2

See Torah Temimah, note 155.

8)

What does the Torah mean when it concludes "and I will remove illnesses from your midst"?

1.

Ramban: It means that one's food and drink will be healthy and will even cure existing illnesses, let alone not causing new ones.

2.

Rashbam: It means that Hashem will heal the illnesses that are caused by bad water. 1

3.

Bava Kama, 92b #1: The Torah is referring here to the eighty-three 2 illnesses 3 that are connected with the gall. 4

4.

Bava Kama, 92b #2: Commenting on what Chazal said 'Arise early and eat in the summer before the sun (becomes hot) and in the winter, before the cold (sets in)' and on the mantra 'Sixty runners can chase after the man who ate breakfast but cannot catch up with him!' - 'Va'avadtem es Hashem Elokeichem" - 'This refers to Keri'as Sh'ma and Tefilah'; 5 "u'Beirach es Lachm'cha ve'es Meimecha", following which 'Vahasirosi Machlah mi'Kirbecha!" 6


1

As He did by Marah. See Sh'mos 15:26 (Rashbam).

2

Bava Kama (Ibid.): The Gematriya of "Machlah".

3

See also Torah Temimah, note 156. that most illnesses are known to be based in the gall.

4

Bava Kama (ibid.): All of which can be removed with bread dipped in salt and a jar of water in the morning.

5

See Torah Temimah, note 158.

6

See Torah Temimah, note 159, who elaborates.

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