Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Deuteronomy 10:11 mean?
A: In Deuteronomy 10:11, Hashem commands Moshe (Moses) to lead the Jewish people into the Land of Israel, which was promised to their ancestors (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov). This verse emphasizes that entering and inheriting the land is a fulfillment of Hashem's oath to the forefathers.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it reaffirms the eternal covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people regarding Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel). The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that settling the land is a mitzvah (commandment) that applies in all generations, showing its ongoing significance.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 10:11?
A: We learn that Hashem keeps His promises, as He fulfilled His oath to the forefathers by bringing their descendants into the land. Rashi notes that this also teaches the importance of leadership—Moshe was instructed to guide the people, showing that proper leadership is essential for fulfilling divine missions.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: This verse reminds Jews of our deep connection to Eretz Yisrael and the importance of settling and cherishing the land. The Sifrei (a halachic Midrash) teaches that the commandment to inherit the land remains relevant, reinforcing the bond between the Jewish people and Israel in every generation.
Q: Why did Hashem say 'Arise, take your journey' to Moshe?
A: Hashem told Moshe to 'Arise' as an encouragement to actively lead the people forward. The Midrash Tanchuma explains that this language signifies urgency and purpose—Moshe wasn’t just to wait passively but to take initiative in fulfilling Hashem’s will by guiding the nation into their inheritance.
Context in Sefer Devarim
This verse (Devarim 10:11) appears in Moshe Rabbeinu's recounting of events after the sin of the Golden Calf. Rashi explains that this directive follows Hashem's forgiveness of Bnei Yisrael and the restoration of the second Luchot, marking a renewal of the covenant and the resumption of the journey toward Eretz Yisrael.
The Command to "Arise and Journey"
The Ramban notes that the phrase "קוּם לֵךְ לְמַסַּע" ("Arise, take thy journey") carries special significance. Unlike earlier commands where Hashem would specify when to travel via the cloud (Bamidbar 9:17-23), here Moshe is given direct instruction to initiate movement, indicating a shift to proactive leadership in preparation for conquest.
Leadership Role Before the People
The Oath to the Forefathers
The phrase "אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי לַאֲבֹתָם" ("which I swore to their fathers") is emphasized by the Midrash Tanchuma (Eikev 3) as a reminder that the merit of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov - not the people's own righteousness - was the primary basis for inheriting the land. The Kli Yakar connects this to the earlier verse about Moshe's successful prayer (Devarim 10:10), showing that ancestral merit combined with current leadership facilitated the divine promise.
Halachic Implications of Possession
The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1) derives from this verse that settling Eretz Yisrael is a mitzvah incumbent upon all generations, as the original oath to the Avot was eternal. The Netziv in Ha'amek Davar notes that the verb "וְיִרְשׁוּ" ("and possess") implies both physical conquest and spiritual acquisition through establishing Torah life in the land.