Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted
Hebrew Text
וּבָתִּים מְלֵאִים כָּל־טוּב אֲשֶׁר לֹא־מִלֵּאתָ וּבֹרֹת חֲצוּבִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא־חָצַבְתָּ כְּרָמִים וְזֵיתִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא־נָטָעְתָּ וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ׃
English Translation
and houses full of all good things, which thou didst not fill, and hewn out wells, which thou didst not dig, vineyards and olive trees, which thou didst not plant; when thou shalt eat and be replete;
Transliteration
Uvatim mle'im kol-tuv asher lo-mileta uvorot chatsuvim asher lo-chatsavta kramim vezeytim asher lo-natata ve'achalta vesavata.
Hebrew Leining Text
וּבָ֨תִּ֜ים מְלֵאִ֣ים כׇּל־טוּב֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־מִלֵּ֒אתָ֒ וּבֹרֹ֤ת חֲצוּבִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־חָצַ֔בְתָּ כְּרָמִ֥ים וְזֵיתִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־נָטָ֑עְתָּ וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ׃
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Chullin 17a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the blessings and prosperity that come from following God's commandments, illustrating the material rewards promised to the Israelites.
📖 Sotah 14a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the ethical treatment of others, emphasizing the importance of gratitude for the blessings one receives without personal effort.
Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)
The verse (Devarim 6:11) appears in Moshe's warning to Bnei Yisrael about the dangers of prosperity in Eretz Yisrael. It describes the material blessings awaiting them—houses, wells, vineyards, and olive trees—all prepared by others, which they will inherit upon entering the land. The emphasis on not having labored for these gifts serves as a moral lesson about gratitude and the spiritual risks of complacency.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi explains that these blessings were not merely vacant houses but were "full of all good things"—furnished and stocked by the Canaanites. This underscores Hashem's kindness in providing immediate comfort. The phrase "which you did not fill" warns against taking credit for these gifts, reminding Bnei Yisrael that their success derives from divine favor, not their own efforts.
Ibn Ezra's Insight
Ibn Ezra highlights the contrast between the transient wealth of the Canaanites and the eternal covenant of Bnei Yisrael. The wells, vineyards, and olive trees symbolize sustenance and stability, yet their effortless acquisition could lead to arrogance. He cautions that forgetting their source invites divine retribution, as later verses in Devarim warn.
Midrashic Perspective (Sifrei)
The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 38) interprets this verse as a test: Will Bnei Yisrael recognize Hashem's hand in their prosperity? The phrase "when you eat and are satisfied" alludes to the obligation of Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals), institutionalizing gratitude. The Sifrei further notes that the Canaanites' labor—digging wells, planting vineyards—was providentially orchestrated for Bnei Yisrael’s benefit.
Rambam's Ethical Application
In Hilchot Berachot (Laws of Blessings 1:4), Rambam derives from this verse that enjoying the world without blessing is akin to theft (me’ilah). The gifts described—houses, food, vineyards—require acknowledgment of their divine origin. This legal framing transforms the verse into a mandate for daily mindfulness of Hashem’s providence.
Spiritual Danger of Complacency