The interpreters asked why concerning the heavens it is written, “Lend ear,” and concerning the earth it is written, “hear.” Also, why is it written in terms of speaking with regard to the heavens, and “words” when it comes to the earth?

The “heavens” are people whose engagements are all spiritual, and “earth” are those who engage in earthly matters. “Lend ear” implies closeness, as though standing close to someone and telling him, “Listen to what I’m telling you.” But “hearing” implies distance, as it is written, “We heard a rumor from afar.”

“Lend ear” pertains to people who engage in spiritual matters, who are not far from the truth. “Speaking” also pertains to them, as our sages said about the verse, “Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel.” To the men, you shall say words as hard as tendons, but to the women—soft speaking.

Maimonides says that it is forbidden to reveal the “truth,” which is Lishma [for Her sake], to women and children and uneducated people until they gain knowledge and acquire much wisdom. Then, that secret is revealed to them little by little.

For this reason, the body does not agree to “speaking,” which is words that are as hard as tendons, meaning Lishma, working not in order to receive reward. But the body can agree to “soft speaking,” meaning Lo Lishma [not for Her sake]. For this reason, uneducated people and women need soft speaking.

Therefore, working people, who engage in spirituality, are permitted to be told to work Lishma because they are not far from the matter of Lishma. This is why it is written, “Lend ear,” implying closeness, unlike those who are far from the matter of Lishma.