In this week’s perasha, Ha’azinu, Moshe teaches a “song” to the Jewish Nation which acts as a binding document. Presented in poetic form and in just 52 pesukim, the song covers our past, present, future, and the ultimate redemption. As with any binding document, there must be witnesses to verify its authenticity.
In the opening pasuk (Debarim 32:1), Moshe calls upon Heaven and Earth as witnesses because they are permanent and enduring, capable of “testifying” across all generations. Sifrei and Rashi explain that since Moshe would soon pass away, Heaven and Earth, creations that will outlast him, could serve as eternal witnesses, ensuring that the Jewish Nation could never deny their covenant responsibilities.
Looking closer, you’ll notice that Moshe uses different phrasing when “speaking” to Heaven and Earth, and likewise when asking them to “listen.” The pasuk states: “Give ear, O Heavens, and I will speak; and may the Earth hear the words of my mouth.” When addressing the Heavens, Moshe uses הַאֲזִינוּ (“give ear”), a word usually used when speaking to someone close, along with וַאֲדַבֵּרָה (“I will speak”), a familiar verb throughout the Torah. But when addressing the Earth, he uses וְתִשְׁמַע (“and may it hear”).
Rashi explains that because Moshe was deeply spiritual, he was “closer” to the Heavens, so he used the language of intimacy there. The Earth, tied to the physical, required the language of distance.
This choice of words carries a practical lesson for us as well. Just like Moshe adapted his language depending on his audience, we also need to learn how to speak in ways that fit the moment. There are times when we’re speaking to someone close, and one kind of approach is needed. Other times, when the person feels distant, whether emotionally, intellectually, or even physically, a different approach is required. If we don’t choose carefully, we may miss the chance to bring people closer, and our words could be lost.
And it’s not only about how we speak. It’s about how we listen. “Ha’azinu” doesn’t just mean to hear, it means to truly give ear, to pay attention. We all prefer to hear words that are sweet and easy, but we must also be willing to listen to the harder words, the ones that push us to grow. “וְתִשְׁמַע” reminds us that when there’s distance, extra effort is needed to hear clearly. That’s true in teaching, leadership, parenting, and even friendships. If we don’t listen with care, we lose precious opportunities to understand, to connect, and to build.
Moshe teaches us how to communicate wisely and delicately every day. How we choose our words, how we listen, and how we take responsibility all shape our relationships with one another and with G-d. If we learn to stop blaming, to speak with care, and to truly hear even the hard words, we strengthen the bond that has carried our people through history. Imagine what our homes, our schools, and our communities would look like if each of us tried to “give ear” more carefully, to “speak” with more thought, and to “listen” with more patience. Our perasha reminds us that words can build or destroy, and that careful listening can bridge even the widest gaps. The choice is ours: to let words slip by, or to use them to bring each other closer and draw us nearer to G-d.