## Sforno on Deuteronomy Chapter 6

###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:1:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:1:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:1:1)

**וְזֹאת הַמִּצְוָה.** אָמְנָם הַמִּצְוֹת הַתְּלוּיוֹת בָּאָרֶץ וּבִכְנִיסַתְכֶם בָּהּ, כִּוֵּן בָּהֶם הַמְצַוֶּה יִתְבָּרַךְ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
וזאת המצוה, so called because the commandments that can be fulfilled only in the land of Israel are the ones through whose performance the One Who has commanded them considers Himself blessed.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:2:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:2:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:2:1)

**לְמַעַן תִּירָא אֶת ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ.** שֶׁתִּזְכֹּר שֶׁהוּא בַּעַל הַקַּרְקַע, וְכִי גֵּרִים וְתוֹשָׁבִים אַתֶּם עִמּוֹ (ויקרא כה: כג).

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
למען תירא את ה' אלוקיך, for you will remember then that He is the owner of the earth you till, and that you are considered as aliens, or at best as resident strangers by Him.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:2:2
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:2:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:2:2)

**אַתָּה וּבִנְךָ וּבֶן בִּנְךָ.** שֶׁגַּם הַדּוֹרוֹת שֶׁלֹּא רָאוּ אֶת מַעֲשֵׂה ה׳ הַגָּדוֹל יִירָאוּהוּ, כְּשֶׁיְּקַבְּלוּ אֵלֶּה הַמִּצְווֹת מִכֶּם שֶׁרְאִיתֶם.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
אתה, ובנך, ובן בנך. This is a reminder that even the generations who had not been eyewitnesses to G’ds powerful miracles will learn to revere Him when they accept the commandments, as you have seen.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:2:3
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:2:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:2:3)

**וּלְמַעַן יַאֲרִיכֻן יָמֶיךָ.** וּכְדֵי שֶׁאֵלּוּ הַמִּצְוֹת יִקְנוּ לְךָ חַיֵּי עוֹלָם שֶׁכֻּלּוֹ אָרֹךְ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ולמען יאריכון ימיך, and in order that these commandments (their performance) acquire for you your ticket to the world after death, a world in which there is only long, infinite life.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:3:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:3:1)

**וְשָׁמַעְתָּ יִשְׂרָאֵל.** וּבִהְיוֹת זֶה הַתַּכְלִית הַמְכֻוָּן מֵאֵת הָאֵל יִתְבָּרַךְ בְּרֹב חַסְדּוֹ עָלֶיךָ, רָאוּי שְׁתִּשְׁמַע וְתָבִין אֶת כַּוָּנַת הָאֵל יִתְבָּרַךְ בְּכָל אֵלֶּה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ושמעת ישראל, when you have attained this purpose which G’d had had in mind for you from the beginning in His great kindness. It is important that through performance and awareness you will appreciate the tremendous goodwill G’d has demonstrated by His legislating these commandments.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:3:2
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:3:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:3:2)

**וְשָׁמַרְתָּ לַעֲשׂוֹת אֲשֶׁר יִיטַב לְךָ.** וְתִשְׁתַּדֵּל לַעֲשׂוֹת אָז מֵאַהֲבָה לְרָצוֹן לְפָנָיו מַה שֶּׁיִּיטַב לְךָ לְהַקְנוֹתְךָ אֹשֶׁר נִצְחִי, וּכְמוֹ כֵן תִּשְׁמוֹר לַעֲשׂוֹת אַתָּה שֶׁתִּרְבּוּן מְאֹד, וְזֶה בִּשְׁמִירַת צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט לִכְבוֹדוֹ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ושמרת לעשות אשר ייטב לך, and you will endeavour to carry out all these tasks out of a feeling of love for G’d, in order to be worthy of His goodwill, aware that He is interested in creating conditions which will make you merit a continued existence. Seeing that this is His purpose in legislating any and all of these commandments, you will also observe these commandments in order to multiply greatly on earth. This is a goal you will achieve if your performance of these commandments is not for the sake of the material reward but לשמה, for His honour, as acts of righteousness and justice in the pure sense. כאשר דבר ה' אלוקיך לך, ארץ זבת חלב ודבש, as He had said to you concerning this land that it “flows with milk and honey.” This land is inherently capable of providing those of its owners who take the lesson we just spelled out to heart, with an easy livelihood, a livelihood which leaves the person sufficient leisure time to pursue Torah studies and by means of this to penetrate more deeply into its meaning and also to be fruitful and to multiply.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:3:3
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:3:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:3:3)

**כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר ה׳ אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֶיךָ לָךְ אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ.** כְּמוֹ שֶׁהוּא דִּבֵּר לְךָ אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ, מוּכֶנֶת לְעוֹבְדָיו לָזֶה הַתַּכְלִית, שֶׁתִּתְפַּרְנְסוּ בָּהּ שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר, וְיִהְיֶה לָכֶם פְּנַאי לְעִיּוּן וּלְמַעֲשֶׂה, לִפְרוֹת וְלִרְבּוֹת.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:4:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:4:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:4:1)

**שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל.** הִתְבּוֹנֵן וְהָבֵן זֶה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
שמע ישראל, listen Israel with your mind open;


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:4:2
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:4:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:4:2)

**ה׳.** הַנּוֹתֵן מְצִיאוּת כָּל נִבְרָא.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
'ה, He is the One Who is responsible for the existence of a physical universe and our globe, the only part of it on which physical life exists.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:4:3
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:4:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:4:3)

**אֱלֹהֵינוּ.** הוּא נִבְחַר שֶׁבַּנִּבְדָּלִים אֶצְלֵנוּ, אֲשֶׁר מִמֶּנּוּ נְקַוֶּה לְהַשִּׂיג חֲפָצֵינוּ בְּלִי אֶמְצָעִי. וּמִצַּד הֱיוֹתוֹ עֶלְיוֹן בְּכֹחוֹ הַבּוֹרֵא, הִנֵּה לוֹ לְבַדּוֹ רָאוּי לְהִשְׁתַּחֲווֹת. וּמִצַּד שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ תִּקְוָתֵנוּ בְּלִי אֶמְצָעִי, רָאוּי שֶׁאֵלָיו לְבַדּוֹ נִתְפַּלֵּל וְנַעֲבוֹד.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
אלוקינו, He is the choicest of all the abstract forces assigned to supervise the conduct of human beings, and even inert creatures. From Him we yearn for assistance in helping us to achieve our purpose on earth. We do not turn to any intermediary. He alone is fit to have prayers addressed to.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:4:4
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:4:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:4:4)

**ה׳ אֶחָד.** וּבִהְיוֹתוֹ נוֹתֵן הַמְּצִיאוּת אַחַר אֲפִיסוּת מֻחְלָט, הִתְבָּאֵר שֶׁאֵין נִמְצָא זוּלָתוֹ מִמִּין מְצִיאוּתוֹ, וְשֶׁהוּא נִבְדָּל בְּמִין מִמְּצִיאוּת עוֹלָם הַנִּפְסָדִים וּמִמְּצִיאוּת עוֹלָם הַגַּלְגַּלִּים וּמִמְּצִיאוּת עוֹלָם הַמַּלְאָכִים, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁהוּא יָחִיד בְּעוֹלָמוֹ הָרְבִיעִי. וְזֶה נִרְאֶה שֶׁנִּרְמַז בִּהְיוֹת אוֹת הַדָּלֶ״ת שֶׁל אֶחָד גְּדוֹלָה, וּבְאוֹת הָעַיִ״ן שֶׁל שְׁמַע הַגְּדוֹלָה נִרְמַז שֶׁרָאוּי לִפְקֹחַ עַיִן וּלְהַגְדִּיל הָעִיּוּן בָּזֶה. וּלְזֶה אָמְרוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה (ברכות פרק היה קורא): וּבִלְבַד שֶׁיַּאֲרִיךְ בְּדָלֶ״ת שֶׁל אֶחָד, לְמַעַן יְכַוֵּן לָזֶה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ה' אחד; seeing that He created all phenomena in this universe, celestial or terrestrial out of a total void, it is logically impossible for there to be another phenomenon representing an existence independent of Him. It also makes him basically different, unique, for all things created by Him are by definition potentially terminal, transient existences. He is absolutely unique in the world based on four basic raw materials, water, fire, earth, air. This idea appears to be hinted at in the letter ד=4 in the word אחד which is written larger than usual and the letter ע in the word שמע which is also written in larger than normal script, suggesting that we should use our eyes to take note of these concepts, the “testimony, עד” that this is so. This is why our sages said that we must draw out the word אחד when reciting it so as to give us time to reflect on the full meaning of the verse.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:5:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:5:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:5:1)

**וְאָהַבְתָּ.** תִּשְׂמַח לַעֲשׂוֹת דָּבָר שֶׁיִּיטַב בְּעֵינָיו, כַּאֲשֶׁר תָּבִין שֶׁאֵין תַּכְלִית נִכְבָּד כָּזֶה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ואהבת, you will then enjoy doing things which are pleasing to Him when you understand that there is nothing in this world which is more worth doing. [the word ואהבת is not perceived a commandment by the author; in fact it is questionable if loving someone could be the subject of a commandment altogether. Ed.]


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:6:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:6:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:6:1)

**עַל לְבָבֶךָ.** שֶׁתִּזְכֹּר תָּמִיד לְהַיְשִׁיר כָּל פְּעֻלּוֹתֶיךָ לָזֶה הַתַּכְלִית.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:7:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:7:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:7:1)

**וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ.** תְּלַמֵּד אוֹתָם בְּשִׁנּוּן וַחֲרִיפוּת מוֹפְתִים שִׂכְלִיִּים.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
Teach them through repetition and through sharp, intellectual evidence.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:7:2
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:7:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:7:2)

**וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם.** כִּי בְּזֹאת הַהִתְמָדָה תִּזְכְּרֵם תָּמִיד.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
**And you are to discuss them.** For through this you will constantly remember them.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:10:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:10:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:10:1)

**אֲשֶׁר לֹא בָנִיתָ וּבָתִּים מְלֵאִים כָּל טוּב אֲשֶׁר לֹא מִלֵּאתָ.** שֶׁתַּשִּׂיג עֹשֶׁר בְּלִי עָמָל.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
.אשר לא בנית ובתים מלאים כל טוב אשר לא מלאתYou will attain wealth without having toiled for it.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:12:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:12:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:12:1)

**הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ פֶּן תִּשְׁכַּח.** כִּי עֹשֶׁר קָנוּי בָּזֶה הָאֹפֶן גּוֹרֵם בְּרוֹב הַמְשֵׁךְ אַחַר הַתַּאֲווֹת, וּבָהֶן יִשְׁכַּח הָאָדָם אֶת עוֹשֵׂהוּ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
השמר לך פן תשכח, for wealth acquired in such a fashion is liable to fostering the desire, greed for more; in the pursuit of more material wealth man is liable to forget his Maker.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:20:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:20:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:20:1)

**מָה הָעֵדֹת.** הַחֵלֶק הָעִיּוּנִי שֶׁהוּא עֵדוּת מוֹפְתִי.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
מה העדות, a reference to the philosophical, theological aspects of the Torah. These invariably relate to the supernatural matters described in the Torah.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:20:2
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:20:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:20:2)

**וְהַחֻקִּים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים.** הַחֵלֶק הַמַּעֲשִׂי.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
והחקים והמשפטים, the practical laws,


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:20:3
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:20:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:20:3)

**אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֶתְכֶם.** וְלֹא הִסְפִּיקוּ מִצְוֹת בְּנֵי נֹחַ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
אשר צוה ה' אלוקינו אתכם, and He did not deem the seven Noachide laws as adequate.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:21:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:21:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:21:1)

**עֲבָדִים הָיִינוּ.** וּבִהְיוֹת שֶׁבְּעַבְדוּתֵנוּ לֹא הָיִינוּ יְכוֹלִים לִקְנוֹת הַשְּׁלֵמוּת הַמְּכֻוָּן מֵאִתּוֹ, הִפְלִיא לַעֲשׂוֹת לְהוֹצִיאֵנוּ וּלְהָבִיא אוֹתָנוּ אֶל הָאָרֶץ שֶׁנּוּכַל לִקְנוֹת בָּהּ אוֹתָהּ הַשְּׁלֵמוּת.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
עבדים היינו, seeing that during the many years of our being slaves we could not attain the degree of perfection G’d had in mind for us to attain, He performed miracles in order to lead us out and to bring us to the land in which we could attain this degree of perfection.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:24:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:24:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:24:1)

**וַיְצַוֵּנוּ ה׳ לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת כָּל הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה.** לְהָכִין אוֹתָנוּ בִּשְׁמִירָתָם.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ויצונו ה' לעשות את כל החקים האלה, in order to make us ready by means of their observance,


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:24:2
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:24:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:24:2)

**לְיִרְאָה אֶת ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ.** וְזֶה כְּהִתְבּוֹנֵן וְהִכִּיר אֶת גָּדְלוֹ, וְכָל זֶה רָצָה לְטוֹב לָנוּ כָּל הַיָּמִים. כִּי חָפֵץ חֶסֶד הוּא, לֹא לְתוֹעַלְתּוֹ. לְחַיּוֹתֵנוּ כְּהַיּוֹם הַזֶּה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ליראה את ה' אלוקינו, this is the result of acquiring a measure of understanding of His greatness; all of this G’d wanted us to appreciate לטוב לנו כל הימים, for He desires to confer goodness, love, He has no egotistical motives. לחיותנו כהיום הזה. To keep us alive as of this day.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:25:1
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:25:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:25:1)

**וּצְדָקָה תִּהְיֶה לָּנוּ.** וְזֶה שֶׁאָמַרְתִּי לְךָ לְטוֹב לָנוּ כָּל הַיָּמִים, רְצוֹנִי לוֹמַר לְטוֹב לָנוּ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
This is what I had in mind when I said to you וצדקה תהיה לו לטוב לנו כל הימים, it will be good for us not only in this life but will be a charitable act assuring us of life in the hereafter.


###### Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:25:2
[Sforno on Deuteronomy 6:25:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Deuteronomy/r/6:25:2)

**לְחַיֹּתֵנוּ כְּהַיּוֹם הַזֶּה.** חַיֵּי שָׁעָה, וְלִהְיוֹת לָנוּ צְדָקָה וּזְכוּת לִפְנֵי ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ בָּעוֹלָם הַנִּצְחִי.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
We will enjoy the transient life on this earth as a result of having first assured ourselves through observance of the commandments of our share in the world to come, i.e. eternal life.