Deuteronomy 5:19 - Divine revelation at Sinai.

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Hebrew Text

אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֶל־כָּל־קְהַלְכֶם בָּהָר מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵשׁ הֶעָנָן וְהָעֲרָפֶל קוֹל גָּדוֹל וְלֹא יָסָף וַיִּכְתְּבֵם עַל־שְׁנֵי לֻחֹת אֲבָנִים וַיִּתְּנֵם אֵלָי׃

English Translation

These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly in the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a great voice which was not heard again. And he wrote them on two tablets of stone, and delivered them to me.

Transliteration

Et-hadevarim ha'ele diber Adonai el-kol-kehalchem bahar mitoch ha'esh he'anan veha'arafel kol gadol velo yasaf vayichtevem al-shnei luchot avanim vayitnem elai.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֶֽת־הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֡לֶּה דִּבֶּר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֶל־כׇּל־קְהַלְכֶ֜ם בָּהָ֗ר מִתּ֤וֹךְ הָאֵשׁ֙ הֶֽעָנָ֣ן וְהָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל ק֥וֹל גָּד֖וֹל וְלֹ֣א יָסָ֑ף וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֗ם עַל־שְׁנֵי֙ לֻחֹ֣ת אֲבָנִ֔ים וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם אֵלָֽי׃

Parasha Commentary

The Divine Revelation at Sinai

The verse describes the unparalleled revelation at Mount Sinai, where Hashem spoke directly to the entire nation of Israel. Rashi (Devarim 5:19) emphasizes that this was a unique event in history—where the Divine Presence was revealed to an entire nation, not just to an individual prophet. The mention of "the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness" symbolizes the awe-inspiring nature of the revelation, as explained by the Ramban (Devarim 4:11), who notes that these elements represent the concealment and revelation of the Divine Presence simultaneously.

The Eternal Voice

The phrase "with a great voice which was not heard again" is interpreted by the Talmud (Berachot 22a) to mean that the voice of Hashem at Sinai had no echo—a supernatural phenomenon demonstrating its divine origin. The Sforno (Devarim 5:19) adds that this voice was singular and never repeated in the same way, underscoring the uniqueness of Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah).

The Writing on the Tablets

The verse concludes with the giving of the Luchot (tablets), which Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 1:8) teaches were inscribed by Hashem Himself. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 47:2) elaborates that the letters were carved through the stone miraculously, readable from both sides. This symbolizes the Torah's accessibility and clarity to all who seek it.

Fire, Cloud, and Darkness: Represent the multifaceted nature of divine revelation—both revealed and concealed (Ibn Ezra).
Great Voice: Demonstrates the unity and permanence of Torah, as it was heard simultaneously by all (Mechilta).
Two Tablets: Correspond to the two categories of mitzvot—between man and Hashem, and between man and his fellow (Rashi, Shemot 31:18).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 5a

The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the nature of the divine revelation.

📖 Megillah 31a

The verse is cited in relation to the reading of the Torah and the events at Mount Sinai.

📖 Avodah Zarah 2b

The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the uniqueness of the revelation at Sinai compared to other nations' experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 5:19 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 5:19 describes how Hashem spoke the Ten Commandments to the entire Jewish people at Mount Sinai amidst fire, cloud, and thick darkness. The verse emphasizes the unique, awe-inspiring revelation where Hashem's voice was heard directly by the nation, and how He inscribed these commandments on the Two Tablets of Stone and gave them to Moshe (Moses). Rashi explains that the 'great voice' was powerful yet clear, showing the divine nature of the Torah's transmission.

Q: Why is the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai important?
A: The giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai is the foundational event in Judaism, marking the formal covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people. According to the Rambam (Maimonides), this moment established the Torah as divine law, binding for all generations. The Talmud (Makkot 24a) teaches that the Ten Commandments encapsulate all 613 mitzvot (commandments), making this event central to Jewish faith and practice.

Q: What can we learn from the way Hashem gave the Torah at Mount Sinai?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 29:4) teaches that Hashem gave the Torah amidst fire, cloud, and darkness to show that Torah must be approached with awe, humility, and reverence. The fact that all of Israel heard Hashem's voice directly (as stated in this verse) teaches that every Jew has a personal connection to Torah. Additionally, the tablets being made of stone symbolize the eternal and unbreakable nature of the covenant.

Q: How does the revelation at Mount Sinai apply to us today?
A: The revelation at Mount Sinai is not just a historical event but a living covenant. The Talmud (Shabbat 146a) teaches that every Jewish soul, past and future, was present at Sinai. This means that the commandments given then are still binding today. Orthodox Judaism views the Torah as eternally relevant, and the experience at Sinai reminds us to study and observe mitzvot with the same awe and commitment as our ancestors.

Q: Why were the Ten Commandments written on stone tablets?
A: Rashi (on Exodus 31:18) explains that the stone tablets symbolize the permanence of the Torah—just as stone is durable, so too are Hashem's commandments everlasting. The Talmud (Bava Batra 14a) also notes that the tablets were made by Hashem Himself, emphasizing their divine origin. The two tablets may also represent the two categories of mitzvot: between man and Hashem, and between man and his fellow.