“Give ear, O heavens, let me speak; let the earth hear the words
I utter” (Deut. 32:1) Parashat Ha-azinu is the last parasha
(portion) to be read on a regular Shabbat morning. That is
because V’zot Habracha, the last parasha of the Torah, is read
only on Simchat Torah. Ha-azinu is a poem that summarizes the
themes of the first section of Deuteronomy: God’s greatness and
Israel’s stubbornness. The opening words of Ha-azinu (seea
above) call upon the heavens and earth to bear witness to Moses’
words. But the Kotzker Rebbe (1787-1859; a Chassidic rabbi and
leader) inverts the relationship and reads the verse as an
instruction to the Israelites to, “Listen to heavenliness.” But
what is it we are supposed to listen to? Ha-azinu describes God
in absolute terms: “The Rock-God’s deeds are perfect, Yea, all
God’s ways are just…” (Deut. 32:4) We know, however, this
contradicts the Biblical narrative. Time and again God responds
to Moses’ pleas on behalf of the Israelites and doesn’t mete out
justice, but offers mercy i