Chazal (Pirkei Avos 4:B) teach that one should be meticulous in his Torah study because shigigas Talmud oleh zadon, a careless misinterpretation is considered tantamount to willful transgression. However, one who is sincere in his study but errs, is making a sincere mistake. In his commentary to Berachos 29b, the Yismach Moshe offers a homiletic rendering of Chazal which goes to the core of the consequences that result from failed leadership. A talmid chacham, Torah scholar, must be meticulous in his behavior, his every action must be the product of forethought and introspection. Indeed, he must guard himself much more than the am ha’aretz, common man, who is not well-versed in Torah. When the am ha’aretz sees the talmid chacham acting inappropriately (even if it is only in the common person’s mind and based upon his personal subjective barometer of right and wrong), in his mind, he has license to act sinfully. The shegagah, thoughtless act, of the scholar will often have an adverse effect on the unlearned man. This applies equally if the scholar’s mussar, rebuke, is not accepted because the people have little respect for him. The am ha’aretz will not view this as an isolated occurrence, or, perhaps, an ineffective scholar, but will assert that scholarship in and of itself is of little value.
If, however, talmidei chachamim live up to the standard which is expected of them: if they are l’shem Shomayim, for the sake and glory of Heaven – not simply to lord over people or ingratiate themselves to them; when they are transparent and, thus, have the respect of the wider community – they will positively impact the am ha’aretz. Thus, explains Horav Yissachar Shlomo Teichtal, zl, Ha’azinu ha’Shomayim, those who are Himmel menshen, individuals who live spiritual lives, whose minds are in the heavens, they should listen carefully to everything that I say. Then, v’sishma ha’aretz Imrei fi, the am ha’aretz who is connected to the mundane world will also listen and follow in the correct path.
With this idea in mind, we may explain the difference between haazanah and shmiyah, which are synonyms for listening/hearing. Haazanah is a stronger form of listening, whereby the listener applies himself cognitively to understand fully what he hears. In contrast, shmiyah is applied to hearing, even if the listener does not quite understand. The talmid chacham is enjoined to think well above what he is about to do because his actions have consequences. The am ha’aretz just listens and follows what he is taught, even if he does not fully understand. He follows the example of those who are more erudite than he. Thus, the Torah uses haazinu concerning Shomayim and sishma in connection with eretz.
