Gaea's

Of the many sub-topics in Parshat Ki Tavo, one especially noteworthy expression is when the Torah says, “G-d has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, and ears to hear until this day” (Deuteronomy 29:3). Tradition (and Rashi) has it that Moshe gave Shevet Levi (the tribe of Levi) a Torah scroll, and the rest of the nation justifiably complained that they didn’t get one. But their complaint wasn’t that they didn’t get a scroll, but that future generations might have a problem with it. Upon hearing this complaint Moshe rejoiced. As Rabbi Liebowitz (and others) explains, he was actually HAPPY about a complaint because it showed how much they valued the Torah and their bond with G-d so much, that they even thought about the future of that bond.

BUT, if we look closer at the Passuk (verse) we’ll see it even clearer. G-d gave us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to feel.

Why does the Torah say that our hearts will KNOW? The answer is that if we feel something strongly enough, in our hearts we KNOW it to be true. The Jews knew in their hearts that they had to protect the future of the Torah by safeguarding against potential diversions. The Torah is telling us that we must look into our hearts, and do whatever it takes to preserve, maintain and grow as Jews, until our hearts KNOW what’s right. And if we don’t know exactly what we need to do, we must always use our eyes to look at customs of the past, our ears to listen to the existing rules, and our minds to develop our own Jewish niche, until our heart knows that we’ve found it!

Related posts:

1. Dvar for Netzavim-Vayelech (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30)
2. Dvar for Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
3. Dvar for Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9)
4. Dvar for Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25)
5. Dvar for Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22)
6. Dvar for Vaetchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11)
7. Dvar for Ki Tetzei (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19)
8. Dvar for Vaeira (Exodus 6:2-9:35)
9. Dvar for Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
10. Dvar for Haazinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52)
11. Dvar for Vaeira (Exodus 6:2-9:34)
12. Dvar for Shlach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)
13. Dvar for Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)
14. Dvar for Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)
15. Special Dvar for Shavuot 5769
16. Dvar for Vayakhel/Pekudei (Exodus 35:1-40:38)
17. Dvar for Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)
18. Dvar for Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)
19. Dvar for Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)
20. Dvar for Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)