It all starts with the verse from Deuteronomy, "You shall know this day, and restore to your heart" (Deuteronomy 4:39). Rabbi Meir interprets this in a fascinating way. He suggests that God is saying, "You and your heart know the actions that you performed, and that the suffering I brought upon you did not correspond to the severity of your actions." In other words, even in times of hardship, God acknowledges a sense of fairness, a sense that the punishment should fit the crime. It’s a surprisingly empathetic view of the Divine.
Then, the text moves on to exploring different levels of acknowledging God's presence in the world. It’s a fascinating climb, starting with Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law. Remember him? He initially acknowledges God's greatness, saying "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods" (Exodus 18:11). But, as Etz Yosef points out, the implication is that he still believes in the existence of other gods!
Next, we have Naaman, the Aramean general. He takes it a step further, declaring, "Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel" (II Kings 5:15). Progress. But again, there's a catch. As Etz Yosef clarifies, Naaman only acknowledges God's uniqueness on earth, leaving open the possibility of other deities in the heavens!
Then comes Rahab, the woman of Jericho. She gets it right, proclaiming, "Because the Lord your God, He is God in Heaven above and on earth below" (Joshua 2:11). Finally! A complete acknowledgment of God's sovereignty in both realms.
But Moses? He takes it even further. He places God "even in the empty space of the world," stating, "That the Lord, He is the God in Heaven above and upon earth below; there is no other." The text asks, "What is, 'there is no other'?" and answers: "Even in the empty space of the world." It's a powerful image of God's all-encompassing presence, filling every void and corner of existence.
Rabbi Hoshaya then brings in a beautiful parallel. God says, "Give her from the fruit of her hands" (Proverbs 31:31) — a reward for righteous deeds. And then God says, because Moses attested to God saying, "There is no other," God, in turn, attests to Moses: "There has not risen another prophet in Israel like Moses" (Deuteronomy 34:10). It’s a divine acknowledgement of Moses' unique role, a reward for his unwavering faith. A mutual admiration society of the highest order, you might say.
Finally, the text shifts to the concept of justice and retribution. It references the verse, "So that it will be good for you, and you will extend your days" (Deuteronomy 22:7). But the people of Israel question this, pointing out the existence of accidental manslaughter and blood vengeance. "Master of the universe," they say, "is this extended days? A person kills a person unwittingly, the blood redeemer pursues him to kill him, and everyone dies before his time."
God responds to this very real concern, saying to Moses, "As you live, they are speaking correctly. Go and designate cities of refuge for them," as it is stated: "Then, Moses designated." So, even in the face of seemingly unfair circumstances, God provides a solution, a way to ensure justice and protection.
What does it all mean? Perhaps it's a reminder that acknowledging God's presence is a journey, a gradual unfolding of understanding. Or maybe it's a comforting thought that even when we feel overwhelmed by life's challenges, there's a divine ear listening, a divine hand ready to offer refuge and a path towards justice. And perhaps, just perhaps, the universe isn't piling on as much as we think.