דברים, פרק כ״ט, פסוק כ״ה

The betrayal of the covenant by the Israelites is framed as both a profound tragedy and a striking absurdity. They abandon God in favor of foreign, empty entities that share no historical or spiritual connection with them, and which offer absolutely nothing in return. The primary approach among commentators highlights the utter powerlessness of these false deities. The Israelites never experienced any divine strength from them, simply because these idols possess no independent power of their own [רמב״ן, רש״י, הטור הארוך, רבנו בחיי, גור אריה]. Others view this disconnect through a historical and logical lens. The people forsook the true God, whose existence and careful guidance were clearly proven to them through miracles, only to chase after Canaanite gods that were entirely new, foreign, and unknown to them [ספורנו, ביאור יש״ר, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

A deeper layer of this betrayal centers on the concept of a designated portion, and the underlying question of who exactly failed to provide this lot yields two primary approaches [ברכת אשר על התורה, משכיל לדוד]. One major perspective identifies God as the one who determines this distribution. According to this view, God never assigned idols, natural forces, or constellations to rule over the Israelites. While other nations might be governed through intermediary forces or heavenly ministers, the Israelites are led directly by God. Therefore, idol worship has no place in their designated existence [רמב״ן, רש״י, ספורנו, העמק דבר, הטור הארוך, שד״ל, רבנו בחיי, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In fact, these foreign powers could never be their portion, because God Himself is their portion, just as they are His [רא״ש, דעת זקנים, הדר זקנים, רבנו בחיי].

An alternative approach understands the idol itself as the one failing to provide. In this light, the false god they chose never improved their situation, never saved them in times of distress, and never granted them any land or inheritance [רמב״ן, רש״י, נתינה לגר, לבוש האורה]. The sheer futility of this worship magnifies the severity of their sin, as they abandoned their Creator for useless vanity [מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, the Israelites face a double rebuke. Not only did God never authorize or assign these entities to them, but the people themselves never witnessed any real power or benefit from these idols [מזרחי, שפתי חכמים, מיני תרגומא]. The absolute nature of this betrayal is so deep that any form of participation in idol worship, even if it does not involve literal bowing down, is considered equally severe [קיצור בעל הטורים].