This week's Torah reading, called Haazinu (listen) is a rebuke that Moshe gives the Jewish people about to enter the Land of Israel. We find the same expression he uses in the book of Ishaia, but in a reverse order. What does it represent? Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 2. p. 415
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Hazenu: Lessons from the Prophets on Spiritual and Material Life
This week’s Torah reading is Hazenu, a short but powerful passage. In it, Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses) rebukes the Jewish people just before they enter the Land of Israel.
Interestingly, the same words Moshe uses appear at the beginning of Isaiah, but in reverse order.
The Biblical Texts
Deuteronomy 32:1 (Hazenu)
"Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth."
Isaiah 1:2
"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord has spoken..."
Notice that Moshe in Deuteronomy uses “give ear” (listen) for the heavens and “hear” for the earth, while Isaiah reverses this.
Why the Difference?
The simplest explanation is that both Moshe and Isaiah made the heavens and the earth witnesses to the covenant between God and Israel.
- “Listen” implies closeness
- “Hear” implies distance
Moshe, closest to the heavens, says to the heavens: “listen”, and to the earth: “hear”.
Isaiah, closer to the earth, says to the heavens: “hear”, and to the earth: “listen”.
Levels of Prophecy
Prophecy exists on multiple levels. Each prophet receives revelation in a way unique to them. The Hebrew word for prophet, na’vi, comes from nasim, meaning someone who expresses God’s message through words and actions.
- Moshe Rabbeinu: The highest level of prophecy; spoke with absolute authority: “This is what God says.”
- Isaiah: A great prophet, but on a lower level; spoke with slightly more distance: “Thus says God.”
A key principle: it is impossible to contradict Moshe Rabbeinu’s prophecy. Even the Messiah will never surpass his level of revelation.
Heaven and Earth: Symbols of Our Lives
Why did Moshe address the earth if he was closest to the heavens? And why did Isaiah address the heavens if he was closest to the earth?
The lesson:
- Spiritual life (Moshe) must be expressed in daily, material actions.
- Material actions (Isaiah) need spiritual support.
In other words, a person must develop both a spiritual and a material life. Simply doing good deeds or purely spiritual growth is not enough; both dimensions must work together.
Conclusion
Hazenu teaches that our lives rest on two pillars:
- Spiritual life, like Moshe, oriented toward the heavens.
- Material life, like Isaiah, oriented toward the earth.
By combining both, we can live fully in alignment with God’s will and lead a balanced, meaningful life.