Spiritual Gems from the parsha

Listen heavens, and I will speak; hear earth, the words of my mouth. (Deut. 32:1)

"Listen" is an expression of teaching, whereas "hear" connotes that one learns "by the way." The difference in language can be understand as follows: Moses wanted all the Jewish people, great and small, to listen to his words of exhortation to follow the Torah. Therefore, he started by addressing himself to the leaders of the people (hinted to by the word "heaven"). Once they listened, it would follow that the "earth," the simpler Israelites, would see that the leaders were conducting themselves in the proper manner, and they would behave, by the way, properly.

(Ohr HaChaim)

And the L-rd saw it and spurned them, because His sons and daughters were provoked. (32:19)

G-d's anger is kindled when "His sons and daughters are provoked" -- when the children of Israel provoke and anger one another, when there is strife, contention and separation. When the Jewish people are annoyed with each other, G-d is annoyed with them.

(Rabbi Moses Pollak)

Jacob is the lot of His inheritance (Deut. 32:9)

The Hebrew word for "lot"- "chevel"- also means "rope." Jacob was the third of the Patriarchs. Like a rope that is strong because it is made of three threads, Jacob had three merits: the merit of his father's father, his own father and himself. Through these combined strengths Jacob and his sons were able to become G-d's inheritance.

(Rashi)


...He, and Hosheia the son of Nun (32:44).

Why was Joshua (Yehoshua) referred to here by his original name, Hosheia? To inform us that although he was being given a position of greatness as the successor of Moses, he did not become egotistical or overbearing. He remained the same as always.

(Rashi)