Sifrei Devarim 306/ספרי דברים ש״ו

1Pisqa’ 306.1. “Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1).R. Meir says:When Israel had been worthy,they would testify against themselves—for it is said:“Then Joshua said to the people:You are witnesses against yourselvesthat you have chosen HASHEM for yourselves. . .,And they replied: we are indeed witnesses!” (Josh. 24:22)But now, after corrupting themselves[by serving foreign cults, they deny their sin].As it is said:“Ephraim has encircled Me with fraud,and the House of Israel with deception” (Hos. 12:1).Then the tribes of Judah and Benjamin testified,as it is said:“And now—you dwellers in Jerusalem, you men of Judah !Come and judge between Me and My vineyard!What more could I have done for My vineyard?” (Is. 5:3-4)So the tribes of Judah and Benjamin corrupted themselves,as it is said:“Judah is a traitor . . . having desecrated what is consecrated to HASHEM!” (Mal. 2:11)Then He summoned the prophets to testify against them,as it is said:“Then HASHEM testified against Israel and Judah, through all His prophets” (2Ki. 17:13).But then they corrupted themselves by means of the prophets,as it is said:“So they taunted the messengers of God” (2Chron. 36:16).He then summoned the Heavens to testify against them,as it is said:“Today have I called the Heaven and the Earth to testify against you” (Dt. 4:26).But then they corrupted themselves before the Heavens,as it is said:“Can’t you see what they are doing in the cities of Judah?” (Jer. 7:17),and, moreover:“That the children gather wood, and the fathers light the fires,while the women knead dough to bake cookies for the Queen of Heaven!” (Jer. 7:18)He then summoned the Earth to testify against them,as it is said:“Listen, Earth! Behold I am bringing evil upon this people!” (Jer. 6:19)Then, they corrupted themselves upon the Earth,as it is said:“Even their altars will be piled up in the furrows of My fields” (Hos. 12:12).He then summoned the roads to testify against them,as it is said:“Thus spoke HASHEM!Stand at the roads . . . and inquire:Which is the best way to the path of eternity?Now travel it and find rest for your souls.But they replied: We will not!” (Jer. 6:16).Again, they corrupted themselves upon the roads,as it is said:“At every road-stop you built your high shrine” (Ezek. 16:25).He then summoned the gentile nations to testify against them,as it is said:“Therefore, listen you nations, and may your councils understand what they are facing” (Jer. 6:18).Yet again, they corrupted themselves by means of the gentiles,for it is said:“And they inter-mingled with gentiles, and learned their behavior” (Ps. 106:35)He then summoned the mountains to testify against them,as it is said:“Hear, O mountains, the complaint of HASHEM!” (Hos. 4:13).But then they corrupted themselves on the mountains,For it is said:“On the tops of the mountains they slaughtered sacrifices” (Hos. 4:13)He then summoned the herds to testify against them,as it is said:“Even the ox recognizes his owner!” (Is. 1:3)But they corrupted themselves with the herds,As it is said:“For they traded their honor for the image of an ox eating grass!” (Ps. 106:20)He then summoned the birds to testify against them,for it is said:“Even the stork in the sky knows her seasons, . . . but My people does notknow the statutes of HASHEM” (Jer. 8:7).But they corrupted themselvesby means of the herds, wild animals, and birds,As it is said:“So I entered and looked and beheld, the image of every abominable creeping thing.” (Ezek. 8:10)He then summoned the fish to testify against them,for it is said:“Or speak to the Earth, for it will instruct you, and the fish of the sea will inform you” (Job 12:8).But they corrupted themselves with the fish of the sea,as it is said:“And You made humans like the fish of the sea” (Hab. 1:14).He then summoned the ant to testify against them,for it is said:“Consider the ant, Lazy Bones!Observe her ways and gain wisdom. . .She prepares her bread in summer, and stores up her food at the harvest.” (Prov. 6:6-8)R. Shimon b. Elazar says:This fellow was shamed by having to learn from an ant!Now, had he only acted upon what he had learned,he might still have been shamed.But despite observing her ways, he didn’t learn a thing.” (Prov. 6:6-8)

22. In time to come,the Community of Israel will say before the Blessed Holy One:Master of the World!Look! My witnesses yet survive[to bear witness against me]!as it is said:“I summon the Heavens and Earth today to testify against them“(Dt. 30:19).He tells her:Now I will make them disappear,as it is said:“Now, see! For I am creating a new Heaven and a new Earth!” (Is. 65:17)She says before Him:Master of the World! Look!I see places where I corrupted myself and was shamed,as it is stated:“See your behavior in the valley” (Jer. 2:23).He said to her:Look! I will make them disappear,as it is stated:“Every valley will be elevated” (Is. 40:4).She says before Him:Master of the World! Look!My name survives!He replies:Look! I will make it disappear,as it is stated:“And He shall call you by a new name” (Is. 62:2).She says before Him:Master of the World! Look!My name is mentioneddirectly with the names of Baal.He replies:Look! I will make them disappear,as it is stated:“For I will remove the names of Baal from her mouth” (Hos. 2:19).She says before Him:Master of the World!Even so, the members of my household will mention it!He replies:“And their names will never again be mentioned” (Hos. 2:19).3. Again, on a future day,she is destined to say before Him:Master of the World!You have already written:“Saying: if a man sends off his wife, and she went from him,and took up with another man—shall he ever again return to her?” (Jer. 3:1).He will reply:Didn’t I specifically mention “a man?”And isn’t it already stated:“For I am God, and not a man!” (Hos. 11:9)Another word:Now, are you like divorced wives to Me, House of Israel?But isn’t it already stated:“Thus says HASHEM:Where is your mother’s writ of separationstating that I sent her away?And, which of my creditorsclaims that I sold you off?” (Is. 50:1)

3Another word:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1).There is an analogy—A king placed his son under the care of a tutorto accompany and guide him.Said the son:Father must believe thatthere is some purpose in placing me under the tutor’s care.Well, then, I will watch him,till he eats, drinks, and falls asleep.Then I will go out and do what I want!Said his father to him:I only gave you into the care if a tutorwho might never lose track of you.This is what Moses said to Israel:Perhaps you are planning to run offfrom beneath the wings of the Presence,or to remove yourself from off the Land?Moreover, the Heavens will keep the record,for it is stated:“The Heavens will disclose his perversity” (Job 2:27).Now, how do we know that the Heavens are also aware?As it is stated:“And the Land shall confirm it” (Job 2:27).The Community of Israel is destinedto stand in judgment before the All-Present,saying before Him:Master of the World!I don’t know who was corrupted by whom,or whose affections first changed.Did Israel corrupt herself before the All-Present,or did the All-Present change His affections for Israel?In light of what He says:“The Heavens proclaim His righteousness” (Ps. 50:6)—I would assume that Israel corrupted itself before the All-Present.For, indeed, He says:“For I, HASHEM, do not change” (Mal. 3:6).

44. Another word:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1).R. Judah says:There is an analogy—A king had two administrators in the city.He gave them access to his wealth, placing his son in their care.Then he said to them:As long as my son does my will, smother him in delights,pamper him with dainties, and give him plenty to eat and drink.But when my son does not do my will,let him not enjoy a thing of mine!So, too, when Israel does the will of the All-Present,what is said about them?“HASHEM will open for you His rich treasury, the Heavens” (Dt. 28:12).But when Israel does not do the will of the All-Present,what is said about them?“Then His anger will burn against you, and He will stop up the Heavens,and there will be no rain, and the soil will not surrender its yield” (Dt. 11:17).

5Another word:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1).R. Nehemiah says:There is an analogy—A king had a son who fell into bad company.The king began to complain about him to his brothers;he began to complain about him to his allies;he began to complain about him to his neighbors;he began to complain about him to his relatives.In fact, this father did not cease from his continuous complaintsuntil, finally, he said:By Heaven and Earth!To whom can I complain about you, if not to them!That’s why it is stated:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1).

6Another word:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1).R. Judah says:These Heavens [would not be] roomy enough for the Righteous,but for the fact thatthe world expands to accommodate their presence within it!For when Israel does the will of the All-Present,what is said about them?“HASHEM will open for you His rich treasury, the Heavens” (Dt. 28:12)—and the term, opening, actually implies expansion,as it is said [of Jacob’s wife, Leah]:“And He opened her womb” (Gn. 29:31) –[expanding her capacity to give birth].Nor would these [Heavens be] roomy enough for the Wicked.but for the fact that the world constricts them [and weighs upon them]!Now, when [Israel] does not do the will of the All-Present,what is said about them?“Then His anger will burn against you, and He will stop up the Heavens” (Dt. 11:17).Now, the term, stopping up, actually implies constriction,as it is said [of Abimelech, the King of Gerar]: “Since HASHEM had utterly stopped up every womb in the household” (Gn. 20:18)—[constricting their capacity to be fruitful].

75. Another word:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1).Said the Blessed Holy One to Moses:Say to Israel—contemplate the Heavens which I created for your use!Have they changed their nature?Or has the disc of the sun said:I shall not rise in the East this morningto illumine the entire world?In accordance with what is said:“And the sun will shine forth, and the sun will come to rest” (Ecc. 1:5)And not only this:But [the sun] actually rejoices in executing My will,as it is said:“He is like a bridegroom proceeding from his marital canopy” (Ps. 19:6)

9Another word:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1).R. Banaya used to teach:When a person is found guilty in a capital case,those witnessing against him must bethe first to lay a hand on him,As it is stated:“The hand of the witnesses shall be the first upon him to kill him” (Dt. 17:7).And afterwards, others may pitch in,As it is stated:“And the hand of all the people shall follow afterwards” (Dt. 17:7).Therefore, when Israel does not do the will of the All-Present,what is said of them?“Then the rage of HASHEM will burn against you,and He will close up the Heavens” (Dt. 11:17).And afterwards, retributions may pitch in,As it is said:“And you will quickly perish from off the good Land whichHASHEM is giving you” (Dt. 11:17).However, when Israel does the will of the All-Present,what is said of them?“And it shall be, on that day—says HASHEM; I shall answer!I shall answer the Heavens, and they shall answer the Earth . . .And I will sow her in the Land as My Own” (Hos. 2:23-25).

106. Another word:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1).R. Judah b. Hanania used to teach:At the moment that Moses said:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak,”The Heavens and the heights of the Heavens were utterly still.And at the moment that Moses said:“Let the Earth hear the utterances of my mouth,”The Earth and everything on it were utterly still.Now if you are astonished by this matter,go and see what is said regarding Joshua:“And he said before the eyes of Israel—You, Sun! Be still over Gibeon!And you, Moon! In the valley of Ayalon!So the sun and the moon stood in silence. . .And there was not another day like this one before or after,that HASHEM obeyed a human voice!” (Josh. 10:12-14).From this we learn thatthe Righteous govern the entire world!

15Another word:“Lend an ear, Heavens, and let me speak!” (Dt. 32:1)—for Israel hadn’t yet performed all the commandments given them from the Heavens.“Let the Earth obey the utterances of my mouth” (Dt. 32:1)—neither had Israel performed all the commandments given them upon the Earth.Then Moses summoned the testimony of two witnesseswho would exist for an eternity of eternities,As it is said:“Today, I summon to testify against you the Heavens and the Earth” (Dt. 30:19).Then the Blessed Holy One summonedthe Song [of Moses] to testify against them,as it is said:“Now write down for yourselves this Song” (Dt. 31:19).And we still don’t know which testimony is confirmed—That of the Blessed Holy One or that of Moses!But since He says:“Then this Song shall answer before them, as a witness” (Dt. 31:21)—it is apparent that the testimony of the Blessed Holy Oneconfirmed the testimony of Moses,but that the testimony of Moses did notconfirm that of the Blessed Holy One.Now, why did Moses summon against Israelthe testimony of two witnesses who would existfor an eternity of eternities?He thought:I am flesh and blood, who tomorrow will die.What will happen if Israel will come to say:We did not accept the Torah!Who, then, could challenge them?Therefore, he summoned against themthe testimony of two witnesses who would existfor an eternity of eternities.But the Blessed Holy One summonedagainst them [only] the Song, saying:The Song will testify against them from beneath [the Heavens],while I shall do so from above [the Earth].Now, how do I know thatthe All-Present is called a witness?For it is stated:“And I will oppose you in the name of Justice, and I will be a skilled witness” (Mal. 3:5).And it says:“But I am a knowing witness—says HASHEM” (Jer. 29:23).And finally:“May HASHEM the God bear witness against you from His holy Sanctuary” (Mic. 1:2).

168. “May my teaching drip like rain” (Dt. 32:2)—my teaching actually refers to words of Torah,as it is said:“Yes, a good teaching have I given you.It is My Torah, do not abandon it!” (Prov. 4:2).And it says:“Accept my chastisement before silver” (Prov. 8:10).chastisement, actually refers to words of Torah.As it is said:“Obey, my son, your father’s chastisement,And do not abandon your mother’s Torah” (Prov. 1:8).And He says:“Embrace chastisement and become wise, but do not let it go” (Prov. 8:33).And it says:“Be strengthened by chastisement, do not dismiss it!”(Prov. 4:13)And, moreover:“Take words with you, and return to HASHEM” (Hos. 14:3).Now, words refers to words of Torah,As it is said:“These words did HASHEM speak to your entire community.” (Dt. 5:19)

179. “Let my teaching drip like rain” (Dt. 32:2)—just as rain [brings] life to the world,so, too, words of Torah [bring] life to the world.Or: just as with rain,part of the world rejoices in it,while part of the world suffers from it,so, too, one whose cistern is full of wine—or one whose threshing floor is full before him—[may find the rain inconvenient].Is it possible to say thatthis applies to words of Torah as well ?The Teaching states:“Let my discourse flow like dew” (Dt. 32:2)—just as with dew, all of the world rejoices in it,so, too, with words of Torah, all the world rejoices in them.

1810. “Like the rain droplets upon the fine grass” (Dt. 32:2).Just as your raindrops descend upon the fine grass,causing it to sprout and grow,so, too, words of Torahcause you to sprout and grow.And so does He say [regarding Torah]:“Revere Her, and She will elevate you” (Prov. 4:8).

19“Like the cloud-bursts upon the herbs” (Dt. 32:2).Just as your cloud-bursts descend upon the herbs,reviving and nurturing them,so, too, words of Torah revive and nurture you.For it is stated:“They are a graceful complement to your head” (Prov. 1:9),And it continues:“She places a gracious complement on your head” (Prov. 4:9).

2112. “Like the rain droplets upon grass” (Dt. 32:2).Just as your rain droplets descend upon the fine grass,soaking them, so they don’t spawn worms,you, too, should be soaked in words of Torah,so that you don’t forget them!And this is what R. Jacob b. Hanilai once said to Rabbi:Come, let us soak up legal traditions,lest we get rusty!

22“Like the cloud-bursts upon the herbs” (Dt. 32:2).Just as your cloud-bursts descend upon the herbs,cleaning them off and perfuming them,you, too, should be perfumed by words of Torah—with two, three, or four repetitions!

29with all the creatures in the world.HHhHHHhhH

30“Like the cloud-bursts upon the herbs” (Dt. 32:2).When a person first goes to learn Torah,he’s unable to functionuntil he reviews two scrolls (sefarim)or [even, only] two chapters (sedarim).Then, eventually, it comes to him in cloud-bursts!This is the point of what is said:“Like the cloud-bursts upon the herbs” (Dt. 32:2)