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TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 20

Translation and Transliteration of 

1In the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, certain elders of Yisrael came to inquire of Hashem, and sat down before me.

vai-HI ba-sha-NAH ha-sh'-vee-EET ba-kha-MI-shi b'-a-SOR la-KHO-desh, BA-u a-na-SHEEM mi-zik-NAY yis-ra-AYL lid-ROSH et a-do-NAI, va-YAY-sh'-VU l'-fa-NAI. (Selah)

אוַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗ית בַּחֲמִשִׁי֙ בֶּעָשׂ֣וֹר לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ בָּ֧אוּ אֲנָשִׁ֛ים מִזִּקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לִדְרֹ֣שׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ לְפָנָֽי׃

2And the word of Hashem came to me:

vai-HI d'-var a-do-NAI e-LAI lay-MOR

בוַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר׃

3O mortal, speak to the elders of Yisrael and say to them: Thus said Hashem: Have you come to inquire of Me? As I live, I will not respond to your inquiry—declares Hashem.

ben-a-DAM da-BER et-zik-NAY yis-ra-AYL v'-a-mar-TA a-LE-hem KOH a-MAR a-do-NAI y'-ho-VI-ha ha-LI-d'-ROSH o-TI a-TEM ba-EEM KHA-y a-NI im-i-da-RESH la-KHEM n'-UM a-do-NAI y'-ho-VI-ha

גבֶּן־אָדָ֗ם דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶת־זִקְנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֗ם כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה הֲלִדְרֹ֥שׁ אֹתִ֖י אַתֶּ֣ם בָּאִ֑ים חַי־אָ֙נִי֙ אִם־אִדָּרֵ֣שׁ לָכֶ֔ם נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יֱהֹוִֽה׃

4Arraign, arraign them, O mortal! Declare to them the abhorrent deeds of their fathers.

ha-tish-POT o-TAM ha-tish-POT ben a-DAM et to-a-VOT a-vo-TAM ho-di-E-EM

דהֲתִשְׁפֹּ֣ט אֹתָ֔ם הֲתִשְׁפּ֖וֹט בֶּן־אָדָ֑ם אֶת־תּוֹעֲבֹ֥ת אֲבוֹתָ֖ם הוֹדִיעֵֽם׃

5Say to them: Thus said Hashem: On the day that I chose Yisrael, I gave My oath to the stock of the House of Yaakov; when I made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, I gave my oath to them. When I said, “I Hashem am your God,”

v'-a-MAR-ta a-LE-hem KOH a-MAR a-do-NAI y'-ho-VEH, b'-YOM b'-kho-REE b'-yis-ra-AYL, va-e-SA ya-DEE l'-ZE-ra bAYT ya-a-KOV, va-i-v'-DA la-HEM b'-E-retz mitz-RA-yim, va-e-SA ya-DEE la-HEM lay-MOR, a-NEE y'-ho-VEH e-lo-HE-khem.

הוְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם כֹּה־אָמַר֮ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִה֒ בְּיוֹם֙ בׇּחֳרִ֣י בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וָאֶשָּׂ֣א יָדִ֗י לְזֶ֙רַע֙ בֵּ֣ית יַעֲקֹ֔ב וָאִוָּדַ֥ע לָהֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וָאֶשָּׂ֨א יָדִ֤י לָהֶם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃

6that same day I swore to them to take them out of the land of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey, a land which I had sought out for them, the fairest of all lands.

ba-YOM ha-HU na-SA-tee ya-DEE la-HEM l'-ho-tzee-AM may-E-retz mitz-RA-yim el E-retz a-sher TAR-tee la-HEM za-VAT kha-LAV ud-VASH tz'-VEE HEE l'-khol ha-a-ra-TZOT

ובַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא נָשָׂ֤אתִי יָדִי֙ לָהֶ֔ם לְהוֹצִיאָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֶל־אֶ֜רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־תַּ֣רְתִּי לָהֶ֗ם זָבַ֤ת חָלָב֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ צְבִ֥י הִ֖יא לְכׇל־הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃

 20:6 The fairest of all lands

A spotted deer in Golan Heights

Eretz Yisrael is described here as ‘fair’ or ‘beautiful,’ in Hebrew tzvi (צבי). The word tzvi also means ‘deer,’ which prompts the Talmud (Ketubot 112a) to compare the Land of Israel to the skin of a deer (see also Daniel 11:16 where the Land of Israel is referred to as eretz ha-tzvi, ‘the beautiful land’). Just as deerskin stretches to fit over the body of the deer but shrinks when removed, so do the physical borders of Eretz Yisrael stretch to fit its Jewish inhabitants, but shrink when they are exiled from the land. Perhaps a deeper message can be applied for Israel’s inhabitants as well. Unlike other places in the world, the inhabitants of Israel must “stretch” themselves morally and spiritually to appreciate the holiness of the Land of the Deer, “the fairest of all lands.”

7I also said to them: Cast away, every one of you, the detestable things that you are drawn to, and do not defile yourselves with the fetishes of Egypt—I Hashem am your God.

va-o-MAR a-LE-hem, eesh shi-KU-tzay a-YE-nayv ha-sh'-LEE-khu u-v'-gi-lu-lay mitz-RA-yim al ti-ta-MA-u, a-NEE a-do-NAI e-lo-hay-KHEM.

זוָאֹמַ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם אִ֣ישׁ שִׁקּוּצֵ֤י עֵינָיו֙ הַשְׁלִ֔יכוּ וּבְגִלּוּלֵ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם אַל־תִּטַּמָּ֑אוּ אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃

8But they defied Me and refused to listen to Me. They did not cast away the detestable things they were drawn to, nor did they give up the fetishes of Egypt. Then I resolved to pour out My fury upon them, to vent all My anger upon them there, in the land of Egypt.

vai-yam-ROO-vee v'-LO a-VOO lish-MO-a e-LAI, eesh et shi-KUTZAY a-YNAY-HEM lo hish-LEE-khu, v'-et gi-LU-lei mitz-RA-yim lo a-za-VOO, va-o-MAR lish-POKH cha-MA-tee a-LAY-HEM, l'-kha-LOT a-PEE ba-HEM, b'-TOCH e-RETZ mitz-RA-yim.

חוַיַּמְרוּ־בִ֗י וְלֹ֤א אָבוּ֙ לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ אֵלַ֔י אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־שִׁקּוּצֵ֤י עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙ לֹ֣א הִשְׁלִ֔יכוּ וְאֶת־גִּלּוּלֵ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם לֹ֣א עָזָ֑בוּ וָאֹמַ֞ר לִשְׁפֹּ֧ךְ חֲמָתִ֣י עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם לְכַלּ֤וֹת אַפִּי֙ בָּהֶ֔ם בְּת֖וֹךְ אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

9But I acted for the sake of My name, that it might not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they were. For it was before their eyes that I had made Myself known to Yisrael to bring them out of the land of Egypt.

va-a-ASH l'-ma-AN sh'-MEE l'-vil-TI hay-KHEL l'-ay-NAY ha-go-YIM a-SHER-h'-MAH v'-to-KHAM a-SHER no-DA-tee a-LAY-hem l'-ay-NAY-hem l'-ho-tzee-A-yam may-E-retz mitz-RA-yim

טוָאַ֙עַשׂ֙ לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמִ֔י לְבִלְתִּ֥י הֵחֵ֛ל לְעֵינֵ֥י הַגּוֹיִ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֣מָּה בְתוֹכָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר נוֹדַ֤עְתִּי אֲלֵיהֶם֙ לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם לְהוֹצִיאָ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

10I brought them out of the land of Egypt and I led them into the wilderness.

va-o-tzi-EM me-E-retz mitz-RA-yim va-a-VE-em el ha-mid-BAR

יוָאוֹצִיאֵ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וָאֲבִאֵ֖ם אֶל־הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃

11I gave them My laws and taught them My rules, by the pursuit of which a man shall live.

va-e-TEYN la-HEM et-khu-KO-tai v'-et-mish-PA-tai ho-DA-tee o-TAM a-SHER ya-a-SEH o-TAM ha-A-DAM va-KHAI ba-HEM

יאוָאֶתֵּ֤ן לָהֶם֙ אֶת־חֻקּוֹתַ֔י וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֖י הוֹדַ֣עְתִּי אוֹתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אוֹתָ֛ם הָאָדָ֖ם וָחַ֥י בָּהֶֽם׃

12Moreover, I gave them My Shabbatot to serve as a sign between Me and them, that they might know that it is I Hashem who sanctify them.

v'-GAM et sha-b'-to-TAI na-ta-TEE la-HEM li-HYOT l'-OT bay-NEE u-vay-NAY-hem la-DA-at KEE a-NEE a-do-NAI m'-ka-d'-SHAM

יבוְגַ֤ם אֶת־שַׁבְּתוֹתַי֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לָהֶ֔ם לִהְי֣וֹת לְא֔וֹת בֵּינִ֖י וּבֵינֵיהֶ֑ם לָדַ֕עַת כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה מְקַדְּשָֽׁם׃

13But the House of Yisrael rebelled against Me in the wilderness; they did not follow My laws and they rejected My rules—by the pursuit of which a man shall live—and they grossly desecrated My Shabbatot. Then I thought to pour out My fury upon them in the wilderness and to make an end of them;

va-yam-ru-vi b'-YIT yis-ra-AYL ba-mid-BAR b'-khu-ko-TAI lo-ha-LA-khu v'-et m'-sh'-PA-tai ma-a-SU a-SHER ya-a-SEH o-TAM ha-a-DAM va-KHAI ba-HEM v'-et sha-b'-TO-tai khil-LU m'-OD va-o-MAR li-sh'-POKH kha-MA-ti a-LAY-hem ba-mid-BAR l'-kha-LO-tam

יגוַיַּמְרוּ־בִ֨י בֵֽית־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר בְּחֻקּוֹתַ֨י לֹא־הָלָ֜כוּ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֣י מָאָ֗סוּ אֲשֶׁר֩ יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה אֹתָ֤ם הָֽאָדָם֙ וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֔ם וְאֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י חִלְּל֣וּ מְאֹ֑ד וָאֹמַ֞ר לִשְׁפֹּ֨ךְ חֲמָתִ֧י עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר לְכַלּוֹתָֽם׃

14but I acted for the sake of My name, that it might not be profaned in the sight of the nations before whose eyes I had led them out.

va-e-a-SEH l'-ma-an sh'-MI, l'-vil-TI he-KHEL l'-ay-NAY ha-go-YIM, a-SHER ho-TSE-teeM l'-ay-NAY-hem

ידוָאֶעֱשֶׂ֖ה לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמִ֑י לְבִלְתִּ֤י הֵחֵל֙ לְעֵינֵ֣י הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹצֵאתִ֖ים לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃

15However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the fairest of all lands, which I had assigned [to them],

v'-GAM a-NEE na-sa-TEE ya-DEE la-HEM ba-mid-BAR l'-vil-TEE ha-VEE o-TAM el ha-A-retz a-SHER na-TA-tee za-VAT kha-LAV u-d'-VASH t'-VEE HEE l'-KOL ha-a-ra-TZOT

טווְגַם־אֲנִ֗י נָשָׂ֧אתִי יָדִ֛י לָהֶ֖ם בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר לְבִלְתִּי֩ הָבִ֨יא אוֹתָ֜ם אֶל־הָאָ֣רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֗תִּי זָבַ֤ת חָלָב֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ צְבִ֥י הִ֖יא לְכׇל־הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃

16for they had rejected My rules, disobeyed My laws, and desecrated My Shabbatot; their hearts followed after their fetishes.

ya-AN b'-mish-PA-tai ma-A-su v'-et khuk-KO-tai lo ha-l'-KHU va-HEM v'-et sha-b'-to-TAI khil-LU, KEE a-kha-RAY gi-lu-LE-hem li-BAM ho-LEKH

טזיַ֜עַן בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י מָאָ֗סוּ וְאֶת־חֻקּוֹתַי֙ לֹא־הָלְכ֣וּ בָהֶ֔ם וְאֶת־שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖י חִלֵּ֑לוּ כִּ֛י אַחֲרֵ֥י גִלּוּלֵיהֶ֖ם לִבָּ֥ם הֹלֵֽךְ׃

17But I had pity on them and did not destroy them; I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.

va-TA-khos a-YE-nee a-LE-hem mi-sha-KHA-tam, v'-lo a-see-TEE o-TAM ka-LAH ba-mid-BAR

יזוַתָּ֧חׇס עֵינִ֛י עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מִֽשַּׁחֲתָ֑ם וְלֹא־עָשִׂ֧יתִי אוֹתָ֛ם כָּלָ֖ה בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃

18I warned their children in the wilderness: Do not follow the practices of your fathers, do not keep their ways, and do not defile yourselves with their fetishes.

va-o-MAR el b'-nay-HEM ba-mid-BAR b'-khoo-KAY a-vo-TAY-khem al tay-LAY-khu, v'-et mish-p'-TAY-hem al tish-MO-ru, u-ve-gi-lu-LAY-hem al ti-ta-MA-u

יחוָאֹמַ֤ר אֶל־בְּנֵיהֶם֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר בְּחוּקֵּ֤י אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ אַל־תֵּלֵ֔כוּ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפְּטֵיהֶ֖ם אַל־תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ וּבְגִלּוּלֵיהֶ֖ם אַל־תִּטַּמָּֽאוּ׃

19I Hashem am your God: Follow My laws and be careful to observe My rules.

a-NEE a-do-NAI e-lo-HAY-khem b'-khu-ko-TAI le-KHU, v'-et mish-PA-tai shim-ROO va-a-SU o-TAM

יטאֲנִי֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם בְּחֻקּוֹתַ֖י לֵ֑כוּ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֥י שִׁמְר֖וּ וַעֲשׂ֥וּ אוֹתָֽם׃

20And hallow My Shabbatot, that they may be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I Hashem am your God.

v'-et sha-b'-to-TAI ka-DAY-shu, v'-ha-YU l'-OT bay-NEE u-vay-NAY-khem la-DA-at kee a-NEE a-do-NAI e-lo-HAY-khem

כוְאֶת־שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖י קַדֵּ֑שׁוּ וְהָי֤וּ לְאוֹת֙ בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֵיכֶ֔ם לָדַ֕עַת כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃

21But the children rebelled against Me: they did not follow My laws and did not faithfully observe My rules, by the pursuit of which man shall live; they profaned My Shabbatot. Then I resolved to pour out My fury upon them, to vent all My anger upon them, in the wilderness.

vai-yam-ru-vi ha-ba-NEEM b'-khu-ko-TAI lo-ha-LA-khu v'-et mish-pa-TAI lo-sham-ROO la-a-SOT ot-TAM a-SHER ya-a-SEH ot-TAM ha-a-DAM va-KHAI ba-HEM et sha-b'-to-TAI khil-LU va-o-MAR li-sh'-POKH kha-MA-TEE a-LAY-HEM l'-kha-LOT a-PEE baM ba-mid-BAR

כאוַיַּמְרוּ־בִ֣י הַבָּנִ֗ים בְּחֻקּוֹתַ֣י לֹֽא־הָ֠לָ֠כוּ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֨י לֹֽא־שָׁמְר֜וּ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת אוֹתָ֗ם אֲשֶׁר֩ יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה אוֹתָ֤ם הָאָדָם֙ וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֔ם אֶת־שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖י חִלֵּ֑לוּ וָֽאֹמַ֞ר לִשְׁפֹּ֧ךְ חֲמָתִ֣י עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם לְכַלּ֥וֹת אַפִּ֛י בָּ֖ם בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃

22But I held back My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it might not be profaned in the sight of the nations before whose eyes I had led them out.

va-ha-shi-VO-tee et ya-DEE va-a-AS l'-ma-AN sh'-MEE l'-vil-TEE he-KHEL l'-ay-NAY ha-go-YIM a-SHER ho-TSE-tee o-TAM l'-ay-NAY-hem

כבוַהֲשִׁבֹ֙תִי֙ אֶת־יָדִ֔י וָאַ֖עַשׂ לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמִ֑י לְבִלְתִּ֤י הֵחֵל֙ לְעֵינֵ֣י הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אוֹתָ֖ם לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃

23However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the lands,

gam-a-NEE na-sa-TEE et ya-DEE la-HEM ba-mid-BAR, l'-ha-FEETS o-TAM ba-go-YIM u-l'-za-ROT o-TAM ba-a-ra-TZOT

כגגַּם־אֲנִ֗י נָשָׂ֧אתִי אֶת־יָדִ֛י לָהֶ֖ם בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר לְהָפִ֤יץ אֹתָם֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם וּלְזָר֥וֹת אוֹתָ֖ם בָּאֲרָצֽוֹת׃

24because they did not obey My rules, but rejected My laws, profaned My Shabbatot, and looked with longing to the fetishes of their fathers.

ya-AN mish-PA-tai lo-a-SU v'-khuk-KO-tai ma-a-SU v'-ET sha-b'-to-TAI khil-LU v'-a-kha-RAY gi-lu-LAY a-vo-TAM ha-YU a-YNAY-hem

כדיַ֜עַן מִשְׁפָּטַ֤י לֹֽא־עָשׂוּ֙ וְחֻקּוֹתַ֣י מָאָ֔סוּ וְאֶת־שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖י חִלֵּ֑לוּ וְאַֽחֲרֵי֙ גִּלּוּלֵ֣י אֲבוֹתָ֔ם הָי֖וּ עֵינֵיהֶֽם׃

25Moreover, I gave them laws that were not good and rules by which they could not live:

v'-GAM a-NEE na-TA-tee LA-HEM khu-KIM lo to-VEEM u-mish-pa-TEEM lo yi-KH'-yu BA-HEM

כהוְגַם־אֲנִי֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לָהֶ֔ם חֻקִּ֖ים לֹ֣א טוֹבִ֑ים וּמִ֨שְׁפָּטִ֔ים לֹ֥א יִֽחְי֖וּ בָּהֶֽם׃

26When they set aside every first issue of the womb, I defiled them by their very gifts—that I might render them desolate, that they might know that I am Hashem.

va-a-ta-MAY o-TAM b'-mat-NO-tam b'-ha-a-VEER kol PE-ter ra-KHAM l'-ma-an a-shi-MAYM l'-ma-an a-SHER ye-d'-U a-SHER a-NEE a-do-NAI.

כווָאֲטַמֵּ֤א אוֹתָם֙ בְּמַתְּנוֹתָ֔ם בְּהַעֲבִ֖יר כׇּל־פֶּ֣טֶר רָ֑חַם לְמַ֣עַן אֲשִׁמֵּ֔ם לְמַ֙עַן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵדְע֔וּ אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃

27Now, O mortal, speak to the House of Yisrael and say to them: Thus said Hashem: By this too your fathers affronted Me and committed trespass against Me:

la-KHEN da-BER el-BEIT yis-ra-AYL ben-a-DAM v'-a-mar-TA a-LE-hem KOH a-MAR a-do-NAI y'-ho-VI o-DOT zo-AT gid-PU o-TI a-vo-TAY-khem b'-ma-a-LAM bi ma-AL

כזלָכֵ֞ן דַּבֵּ֨ר אֶל־בֵּ֤ית יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בֶּן־אָדָ֔ם וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֖ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֑ה ע֗וֹד זֹ֚את גִּדְּפ֤וּ אוֹתִי֙ אֲב֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם בְּמַעֲלָ֥ם בִּ֖י מָֽעַל׃

28When I brought them to the land that I had sworn to give them, and they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, they slaughtered their sacrifices there and presented their offensive offerings there; there they produced their pleasing odors and poured out their libations.

va-a-vee-EM el ha-A-retz a-SHER na-SA-tee et ya-DEE la-TAYT o-TAH la-HEM va-yi-ROO kol-gi-BA ra-MAH v'-kol-AYTZ a-VOT va-yi-z'-BE-khu-SHAM et-ziv-khay-HEM va-ya-SEE-mu-SHAM ray-AKH ni-KHO-khay-HEM va-ya-SEE-khu-SHAM et-nis-kay-HEM

כחוָאֲבִיאֵם֙ אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נָשָׂ֙אתִי֙ אֶת־יָדִ֔י לָתֵ֥ת אוֹתָ֖הּ לָהֶ֑ם וַיִּרְאוּ֩ כׇל־גִּבְעָ֨ה רָמָ֜ה וְכׇל־עֵ֣ץ עָבֹ֗ת וַיִּזְבְּחוּ־שָׁ֤ם אֶת־זִבְחֵיהֶם֙ וַיִּתְּנוּ־שָׁם֙ כַּ֣עַס קׇרְבָּנָ֔ם וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ שָׁ֗ם רֵ֚יחַ נִיח֣וֹחֵיהֶ֔ם וַיַּסִּ֥יכוּ שָׁ֖ם אֶת־נִסְכֵּיהֶֽם׃

29Then I said to them, “What is this shrine which you visit?” (Therefore such [a shrine] is called bamah to this day.)

va-o-MAR a-LE-hem, MA ha-ba-MA a-SHER a-TEM ha-ba-EEM SHAHM, va-yi-ka-REH sh'-MAH ba-MAH, ad ha-YOM ha-ZEH.

כטוָאֹמַ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם מָ֣ה הַבָּמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֥ם הַבָּאִ֖ים שָׁ֑ם וַיִּקָּרֵ֤א שְׁמָהּ֙ בָּמָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃

30Now say to the House of Yisrael: Thus said Hashem: If you defile yourselves as your fathers did and go astray after their detestable things,

la-KHEN e-MOR el-BEIT yis-ra-AYL KOH a-MAR a-do-NAI y'-ho-VEE ha-b'-DE-rekh a-vo-TAY-khem a-TEM nit-m'-EEM v'-a-kha-RAY shi-KU-tzay-HEM a-TEM zo-NEEM

ללָכֵ֞ן אֱמֹ֣ר ׀ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה הַבְּדֶ֥רֶךְ אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם אַתֶּ֣ם נִטְמְאִ֑ים וְאַחֲרֵ֥י שִׁקּֽוּצֵיהֶ֖ם אַתֶּ֥ם זֹנִֽים׃

31and if to this very day you defile yourselves in the presentation of your gifts by making your children pass through the fire to all your fetishes, shall I respond to your inquiry, O House of Yisrael? As I live—declares Hashem—I will not respond to you.

u-vi-se-ET mat-no-TEI-khem b'-ha-a-VEER b'-NEI-khem ba-ESH a-TEM nit-m'-IM l'-KOL gi-lu-LEI-khem ad ha-YOM, va-a-NEE i-da-RESH la-KHEM BEIT yis-ra-AYL, khai-a-NEE ne-UM a-do-NAI y'-ho-VA, im i-da-RESH la-KHEM.

לאוּבִשְׂאֵ֣ת מַתְּנֹתֵיכֶ֡ם בְּֽהַעֲבִיר֩ בְּנֵיכֶ֨ם בָּאֵ֜שׁ אַתֶּם֩ נִטְמְאִ֤֨ים לְכׇל־גִּלּֽוּלֵיכֶם֙ עַד־הַיּ֔וֹם וַאֲנִ֛י אִדָּרֵ֥שׁ לָכֶ֖ם בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל חַי־אָ֗נִי נְאֻם֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה אִם־אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ לָכֶֽם׃

32And what you have in mind shall never come to pass—when you say, “We will be like the nations, like the families of the lands, worshiping wood and stone.”

v'-ha-o-LAH al-ru-kha-KHEM ha-YO lo ti-HEH a-SHER a-TEM om-REEM ni-HEH ka-go-YIM k'-mish-p'-KHOT ha-a-ra-TZOT l'-sha-RET ETZ va-a-VEN

לבוְהָֽעֹלָה֙ עַל־ר֣וּחֲכֶ֔ם הָי֖וֹ לֹ֣א תִֽהְיֶ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ אַתֶּ֣ם אֹמְרִ֗ים נִֽהְיֶ֤ה כַגּוֹיִם֙ כְּמִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת לְשָׁרֵ֖ת עֵ֥ץ וָאָֽבֶן׃

33As I live—declares Hashem—I will reign over you with a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with overflowing fury.

khai-a-NEE, n'-UM a-do-NAI, y'-ho-VA, im-LO b'-YAHD cha-za-KAH u-viz-RO-a ne-TOO-yah u-v'-che-MAH she-foo-KAH em-LOKH a-LAY-khem

לגחַי־אָ֕נִי נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֑ה אִם־לֹ֠א בְּיָ֨ד חֲזָקָ֜ה וּבִזְר֧וֹעַ נְטוּיָ֛ה וּבְחֵמָ֥ה שְׁפוּכָ֖ה אֶמְל֥וֹךְ עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃

34With a strong hand and an outstretched arm and overflowing fury I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered,

v'-ho-tze-TI et-KHEM min ha-a-MEEM v'-ki-ba-TZ'-TI et-KHEM min ha-a-ra-TZOT a-SHER ne-fo-TZE-TEM BAM b'-YAD cha-ZA-KAH u-viz-RO-a ne-TOO-yah u-v'-che-MAH she-foo-KAH

לדוְהוֹצֵאתִ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙ מִן־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים וְקִבַּצְתִּ֣י אֶתְכֶ֔ם מִן־הָ֣אֲרָצ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר נְפוֹצֹתֶ֖ם בָּ֑ם בְּיָ֤ד חֲזָקָה֙ וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ נְטוּיָ֔ה וּבְחֵמָ֖ה שְׁפוּכָֽה׃

35and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples; and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.

v'-he-VEE-ti et-KHEM el mid-BAR ha-a-MEEM, v'-nish-PAT-tee it-KHEM sham, pa-NIM el pa-NIM

להוְהֵבֵאתִ֣י אֶתְכֶ֔ם אֶל־מִדְבַּ֖ר הָעַמִּ֑ים וְנִשְׁפַּטְתִּ֤י אִתְּכֶם֙ שָׁ֔ם פָּנִ֖ים אֶל־פָּנִֽים׃

36As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you—declares Hashem.

ka-a-SHER nish-PA-t'-TEE et a-vo-TAY-khem b'-mid-BAR E-retz mitz-RA-yim, KEN i-sha-FAYT i-t'-KHEM n'-UM a-do-NAI y'-ho-VAH

לוכַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁפַּ֙טְתִּי֙ אֶת־אֲב֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם בְּמִדְבַּ֖ר אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם כֵּ֚ן אִשָּׁפֵ֣ט אִתְּכֶ֔ם נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יֱהֹוִֽה׃

37I will make you pass under the shepherd's staff, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.

v'-ha-a-var-TI et-KHEM ta-KHAT ha-SHA-vet v'-he-ve-EE-ti et-KHEM b'-ma-SO-ret ha-b'-REET

לזוְהַעֲבַרְתִּ֥י אֶתְכֶ֖ם תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑בֶט וְהֵבֵאתִ֥י אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּמָסֹ֥רֶת הַבְּרִֽית׃

38I will remove from you those who rebel and transgress against Me; I will take them out of the countries where they sojourn, but they shall not enter the land of Yisrael. Then you shall know that I am Hashem.

u-va-RO-tee mi-KHEM ha-mor-DEEM v'-ha-po-SHEE-eem bi me-E-retz me-gu-RE-hem o-TZEE ot-TAM v'-el ad-MAT yis-ra-AYL lo ya-VO-o vi-da-TEM kee a-NEE a-do-NAI

לחוּבָרוֹתִ֣י מִכֶּ֗ם הַמֹּרְדִ֤ים וְהַפּֽוֹשְׁעִים֙ בִּ֔י מֵאֶ֤רֶץ מְגֽוּרֵיהֶם֙ אוֹצִ֣יא אוֹתָ֔ם וְאֶל־אַדְמַ֥ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֹ֣א יָב֑וֹא וִידַעְתֶּ֖ם כִּי־אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃

39As for you, O House of Yisrael, thus said Hashem: Go, every one of you, and worship his fetishes and continue, if you will not obey Me; but do not profane My holy name any more with your idolatrous gifts.

v'-a-TEM, beit yis-ra-AYL, ko-a-MAR a-do-NAI a-do-NAI, eesh gi-lu-LAV le-KHU a-vo-DO, v'-a-KHAR im eem-e-KHEM sho-m'-EEM e-LAI, v'-et shaym kod-SHEE lo t'-kha-l'-LU-OD, b'-ma-t'-no-TAY-khem u-v'-gi-lu-LAY-khem

לטוְאַתֶּ֨ם בֵּֽית־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל כֹּה־אָמַ֣ר ׀ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֗ה אִ֤ישׁ גִּלּוּלָיו֙ לְכ֣וּ עֲבֹ֔דוּ וְאַחַ֕ר אִם־אֵינְכֶ֖ם שֹׁמְעִ֣ים אֵלָ֑י וְאֶת־שֵׁ֤ם קׇדְשִׁי֙ לֹ֣א תְחַלְּלוּ־ע֔וֹד בְּמַתְּנוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם וּבְגִלּוּלֵיכֶֽם׃

40For only on My holy mountain, on the lofty mount of Yisrael—declares Hashem—there, in the land, the entire House of Yisrael, all of it, must worship Me. There I will accept them, and there I will take note of your contributions and the choicest offerings of all your sacred things.

KI v'-har-KOD-shi, b'-har m'-ROM yis-ra-AYL, n'-UM a-do-NAI y'-ho-VEH, SHAM ya-a-v'-DU-nee kol-BAYT yis-ra-AYL, ku-LOH ba-A-retz, SHAM er-TZAYM, v'-SHAM ed-ROSH et-t'-RU-mo-TAY-khem, v'-et-ray-SHEEYT mas-o-TAY-khem, b'-KOL kod-SHAY-khem.

מכִּ֣י בְהַר־קׇדְשִׁ֞י בְּהַ֣ר ׀ מְר֣וֹם יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל נְאֻם֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה שָׁ֣ם יַעַבְדֻ֜נִי כׇּל־בֵּ֧ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל כֻּלֹּ֖ה בָּאָ֑רֶץ שָׁ֣ם אֶרְצֵ֔ם וְשָׁ֞ם אֶדְר֣וֹשׁ אֶת־תְּרוּמֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם וְאֶת־רֵאשִׁ֛ית מַשְׂאוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם בְּכׇל־קׇדְשֵׁיכֶֽם׃

41When I bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands in which you are scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing odor; and I will be sanctified through you in the sight of the nations.

b'-RAY-akh nee-KHO-akh er-TZEH et-KHEM b'-ho-tzee-EE et-KHEM min ha-a-MEEM v'-ki-batz-TEE et-KHEM min ha-a-ra-TZOT a-SHER n'-fo-tzo-TEM BAM v'-nik-dash-TEE va-KHEM l'-ay-NAY ha-go-YIM

מאבְּרֵ֣יחַ נִיחֹ֘חַ֮ אֶרְצֶ֣ה אֶתְכֶם֒ בְּהוֹצִיאִ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙ מִן־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים וְקִבַּצְתִּ֣י אֶתְכֶ֔ם מִן־הָ֣אֲרָצ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר נְפֹצֹתֶ֖ם בָּ֑ם וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּ֥י בָכֶ֖ם לְעֵינֵ֥י הַגּוֹיִֽם׃

20:41 When I bring you out from the peoples and gather you 

President Yitzchak Ben-Zvi (1884-1963)

Having already lived in exile, the prophet Yechezkel describes the future miraculous ingathering of the exiles, a miraculous event our generation has been privileged to witness. Yitzhak Ben-Zvi (1884 – 1963), historian, Zionist leader and the second President of Israel, reflected on the role of the State in this biblical promise: “The ingathering of the exiles is the most central and lofty ideal of this country. The redemptive reestablishment of Israel – this is a complete revolution in the annals of our days, in the chronicles of our entire nation. It serves as a counterweight, opposing our destruction and our extended exile.”  For 2,000 years, Jews pondered the “When?” of these events, and Yitzchak Ben Zvi’s founding generation of Zionists dealt with the question of “How?” – how could they enable the process to succeed?  Now, it is our generation’s mission to ask the next question: “Why?” – Why is it that we have merited to witness, and be involved in, such wondrous episodes? The key to appreciating our present day opportunities, and the path to enhancing our future lies in seeking these answers and working towards their fulfillment.

42Then, when I have brought you to the land of Yisrael, to the country that I swore to give to your fathers, you shall know that I am Hashem.

v'-ya-da-TEM kee a-NEE a-do-NAI ba-ha-vee-EE et-KHEM el ad-MAT yis-ra-AYL el ha-A-retz a-SHER na-SA-tee et-ya-DEE la-TET o-TAH la-a-vo-TAY-khem

מבוִֽידַעְתֶּם֙ כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה בַּהֲבִיאִ֥י אֶתְכֶ֖ם אֶל־אַדְמַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נָשָׂ֙אתִי֙ אֶת־יָדִ֔י לָתֵ֥ת אוֹתָ֖הּ לַאֲבוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃

43There you will recall your ways and all the acts by which you defiled yourselves; and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils that you committed.

u-ze-khar-TEM-sham et-dar-KHE-khem v'-et kol-a-lee-LO-tei-khem a-SHER nit-m'-E-tem BAM u-n'-ko-TO-tem b'-fe-NEI-khem b'-kol-ra-o-tei-khem a-SHER a-see-TEM

מגוּזְכַרְתֶּם־שָׁ֗ם אֶת־דַּרְכֵיכֶם֙ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־עֲלִיל֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִטְמֵאתֶ֖ם בָּ֑ם וּנְקֹֽטֹתֶם֙ בִּפְנֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכׇל־רָעוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲשִׂיתֶֽם׃

44Then, O House of Yisrael, you shall know that I am Hashem, when I deal with you for My name's sake—not in accordance with your evil ways and corrupt acts—declares Hashem.

vi-da-TEM, kee a-NEE a-do-NAI, ba-a-so-TEE it-KHEM l'-ma-an sh'-MEE, lo k'-dar-khay-KHEM ha-ra-EEM, v'-kha-a-lee-lo-tay-KHEM ha-nish-kha-TOHT, bayt yis-ra-AYL, n'-UM a-do-NAI y'-ho-VAH. (pey)

מדוִֽידַעְתֶּם֙ כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה בַּעֲשׂוֹתִ֥י אִתְּכֶ֖ם לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמִ֑י לֹא֩ כְדַרְכֵיכֶ֨ם הָרָעִ֜ים וְכַעֲלִילוֹתֵיכֶ֤ם הַנִּשְׁחָתוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יֱהֹוִֽה׃