WHAT IS THIS?

“Moshe said to the heads of the tribes of the People of Israel Zeh this is what Hashem commanded” (Num.30.2)

It is the norm in the Torah for Moshe to convey the word of Hashem to Aharon or to the Kohanim or directly to the People of Israel. Speaking to the heads of the tribes is an exception. It means that there is something special about Zeh –This.

We may explain the significance of Zeh – this, from a passage in the Haggadah for the Pesah Seder with which we are familiar. We are told, “You shall tell your son on that day saying, ‘On account of Zeh – this, Hashem wrought for me when I went out from Egypt’ “.
The simple child tries to understand what Zeh is all about, but his question is ‘Ma Zot, not ’Ma Zeh – what is this?’ And the answer is provided by showing him the symbols of the exodus from Egypt on the Seder plate.

Zeh is the ability to conceptualise by visualising in the mind’s eye that which is heard. This is not easy when dealing with abstract concepts. So, the child unable to do this needs some tangible, visible association therefore he does not ask ‘Ma Zeh?’ but ‘Ma Zot?’, i.e. what is the Ot – the sign, the symbol that will help him to understand the concept.

It follows that Zot applies to something we see. Zeh is what we visualise in the mind’s eye.

Profound concepts like the word of Hashem are best ‘seen’ when heard in a contemplative mood with eyes closed.