A thought on Parshas Va'eschanan
A Thought on Parshas Va'Eschanan
"...v'sha'manu v'asinu..."
"... let us hear and we will obey..." (5:25)
"...sh'ma Yisroel..."
"...you should hear..." (6:4"
The Torah emphasizes the importance of obeying HaShem by listening to His words. We do this each time we study the Torah in order to practice its commandments and values. We did this in the desert, too, as evidenced by the obedient posture we declare here.
The Rambam (Moreh HaNevuchim 3:33) comments that the commitment to "hear and obey" signifies the readiness to accept and to internalize that which needs to be internalized. In a somewhat uncharacteristic manner, he then cites as a midrashic illustration a verse from Shir HaShirim: "mash'cheini acha'recha v'narutza" - pull me towards you and we shall run (1:4).
Meanwhile, the Rosh address our second verse, which is the opening line to the Sh'ma which we recite twice daily. He cites a midrash which describes how HaShem hearkens to the voices of our people as we say the Sh'ma. Even the angelic malachim assemble in awe in order to hear us proclaim HaShem's unity.
The Rosh also brings a supportive illustration for this from Shir HaShirim: "ha'yosheves ba'ganim chaverim mak'shivim l'kolech hash'mi'eini" - the one sitting in the garden, friends listening to your voice; let me hear it (8:13).
How interesting that both the Rambam and the Rosh turn to the poetic scripture of Shlomo HaMelech to explain the concept of "hearing." Perhaps what prompts them both to seek such spiritual imagery is the concept of "hearing HaShem" and "HaShem hearing us." That in itself prompts one to transcend our sensory understanding of communication and to ponder the higher ideal of sensing the Divine will.
For us to grasp something of what "hearing HaShem" might be, the Rambam borrows the metaphor sketched by Shlomo HaMelech of one who yearns and longs to rush after the Presence of the One they love. For us to grasp something about "being heard by HaShem", the Rosh draws on the metaphor of how precious and valued is the sound of the loved one's voice.
Wishing you a good Shabbos Nachamu. D. Fox
"...v'sha'manu v'asinu..."
"... let us hear and we will obey..." (5:25)
"...sh'ma Yisroel..."
"...you should hear..." (6:4"
The Torah emphasizes the importance of obeying HaShem by listening to His words. We do this each time we study the Torah in order to practice its commandments and values. We did this in the desert, too, as evidenced by the obedient posture we declare here.
The Rambam (Moreh HaNevuchim 3:33) comments that the commitment to "hear and obey" signifies the readiness to accept and to internalize that which needs to be internalized. In a somewhat uncharacteristic manner, he then cites as a midrashic illustration a verse from Shir HaShirim: "mash'cheini acha'recha v'narutza" - pull me towards you and we shall run (1:4).
Meanwhile, the Rosh address our second verse, which is the opening line to the Sh'ma which we recite twice daily. He cites a midrash which describes how HaShem hearkens to the voices of our people as we say the Sh'ma. Even the angelic malachim assemble in awe in order to hear us proclaim HaShem's unity.
The Rosh also brings a supportive illustration for this from Shir HaShirim: "ha'yosheves ba'ganim chaverim mak'shivim l'kolech hash'mi'eini" - the one sitting in the garden, friends listening to your voice; let me hear it (8:13).
How interesting that both the Rambam and the Rosh turn to the poetic scripture of Shlomo HaMelech to explain the concept of "hearing." Perhaps what prompts them both to seek such spiritual imagery is the concept of "hearing HaShem" and "HaShem hearing us." That in itself prompts one to transcend our sensory understanding of communication and to ponder the higher ideal of sensing the Divine will.
For us to grasp something of what "hearing HaShem" might be, the Rambam borrows the metaphor sketched by Shlomo HaMelech of one who yearns and longs to rush after the Presence of the One they love. For us to grasp something about "being heard by HaShem", the Rosh draws on the metaphor of how precious and valued is the sound of the loved one's voice.
Wishing you a good Shabbos Nachamu. D. Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 6:33 PM
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