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Chumash      Tanya-Likutei Amarim
Chumash Mikraot Gedolot-Devarim
 
Summary:

(5748) (Deut 30:12): "It is not in heaven". The need to explain "for if it were in heaven, you would have to climb up after it [in order] to learn it" (Tal. Eruvin 55a).

Explanation of "heaven" here according to the simple meaning of the verse;

Merging of the simple meaning of the verse in this Parsha ("For this commandment which I command you this day" ibid 11) refers to the entire Torah. and the explanation of Ramban that it refers to Teshuvah and the hint in the words of the Alter Rebbe in the title page of Tanya: "explaining clearly how it is exceedingly near, in both a lengthy and a short way"

 

Translation:

Tal. Eruvin 55a: This is in harmony with the following statement of R. Abdimi b. Hama b. Dosa: What is the significance of the text: It is not in heaven, [that thou shouldst say: ‘who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us’], neither is it beyond the sea [that thou shouldst say, ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us’]? ‘It is not in heaven’, for if it were in heaven you should have gone up after it; and if it were ‘beyond the sea’, you should have gone over the sea after it.

Raba expounded, ‘It is not in heaven’, it is not to be found with him who, because he possesses some knowledge of it, towers in his pride as high as the heavens, ‘[neither is it beyond the sea’] it is not found with him who, because of some knowledge of it, is as expansive in his self-esteem as the sea.

R. Johanan expounded: ‘It is not in heaven’, it is not to be found among the arrogant; ‘neither is it beyond the sea’, it is not to be found among merchants or dealers.

 
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