19. Come and see, the last generation that left Egypt knew everything because Moses revealed it to them all the forty years they were in the wilderness, as I said. We learned that Rabbi Yitzchak said, Even Moses revealed it only on the day he departed from the world, as it is written, "I am a hundred and twenty years old this day" (Devarim 31:2), on the very day HE PASSED AWAY. Hence he did not speak until he was given permission as it is written, "Now therefore write this poem for yourselves" (Ibid. 19). When he did reveal, he did not say 'Give ear, Yisrael,' but, "Give ear, O heavens" (Devarim 32:1).

20. Rabbi Yosi said, It is written, "this poem," THAT IS, "NOW THEREFORE WRITE THIS POEM FOR YOURSELVES." Could it be called a poem? IT SHOULD HAVE SAID 'THIS TORAH.' Rabbi Yitzchak said, It is surely a poem. As a poem is drawn through the Holy Spirit from above downwards, SO these words also were drawn through the Holy Spirit from above downwards. This is why Moses spoke of a poem.

21. Come and see all that Moses has spoken and called to the high ones before he uttered a word, as it is written, "Give ear, O heavens." "My doctrine shall drop as the rain..." (Ibid. 2). Why all that? Because "I will call on the name of Hashem" (Ibid. 3). Before he said that, he caused all the worlds to tremble.

22. We learned that when Moses said, "Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak," the worlds shook. A voice resounded saying, Moses, Moses, why are you shaking the whole world? You are human, shall the world shake because of you? He opened and said, "I will call on the name of Hashem." At that moment they became silent and listened to his words.