1. In the beginning of this week’s Torah portion Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our teacher) says, “Listen (Ha’azinu) O heavens (and be my witness) for I will speak. Let the earth hear (Tishma) (and witness) the words of my mouth”.
Moshe Rabbeinu then goes on to warn the Jewish people about how they should act and tells them the rewards for their good deeds (and Heaven Forbid what will happen if they don’t follow Hashem’s instructions).
2. The reason for using the Heavens and earth as witnesses (as Rashi explains) is because Moshe Rabbeinu w”anted there to be everlasting witnesses to the Jewish people’s acceptance of Hashem’s commandments and the rewards they bring; therefore he called upon the everlasting Heavens and earth.
The Weekly Sedra – Parshas Haazinu
The Rebbe says:
1. In the beginning of this week’s Torah portion Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our teacher) says, “Listen (Ha’azinu) O heavens (and be my witness) for I will speak. Let the earth hear (Tishma) (and witness) the words of my mouth”.
Moshe Rabbeinu then goes on to warn the Jewish people about how they should act and tells them the rewards for their good deeds (and Heaven Forbid what will happen if they don’t follow Hashem’s instructions).
2. The reason for using the Heavens and earth as witnesses (as Rashi explains) is because Moshe Rabbeinu w”anted there to be everlasting witnesses to the Jewish people’s acceptance of Hashem’s commandments and the rewards they bring; therefore he called upon the everlasting Heavens and earth.