וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶלְיָקִ֣ים בֶּן־חִ֠לְקִיָּהוּ וְשֶׁבְנָ֨ה וְיוֹאָ֜ח אֶל־רַב־שָׁקֵ֗ה דַּבֶּר־נָ֤א אֶל־עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ אֲרָמִ֔ית כִּ֥י שֹׁמְעִ֖ים אֲנָ֑חְנוּ וְאַל־תְּדַבֵּ֤ר עִמָּ֙נוּ֙ יְהוּדִ֔ית בְּאָזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־הַחֹמָֽה׃
Lalu Elyakim bin Hilkia, Sebna, dan Yoah berkata kepada Rabsake: “Berbicaralah kiranya kepada hamba-hambamu ini dalam bahasa Aram, karena kami mengerti bahasa itu. Janganlah berbicara dengan kami dalam bahasa Yehuda sehingga didengar oleh rakyat yang ada di atas tembok.”
Idra Zuta
Hearing applies to the ear, that is, it is Binah that is called hearing. Hearing comprises all brain lobes of Chochmah, Binah and Da’at; because Chochmah is revealed only starting with Binah (as said in section 130). Chochmah is incorporated in it, as written, “Give therefore your servant an understanding (lit. hearing) heart” (I Melachim 3:9). The heart (spelled Lamed Bet) stands for the Lamed Bet (=32) paths of wisdom. Binah is included in it, as said, “Speak, Hashem; for your servant is listening” (I Shmuel 3:9), and “for we understand (lit. hear) it” (II Melachim 18:26). Da’at is included in it, as said, “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings” (Mishlei 4:10), “and treasure up my commandments with you” (Ibid. 2:1), hear in the sense of know. Thus, everything depends on the ear. It has already been explained that the reason is that the ears are the beginning point of the revelation in the outer part of the head, hence everything is included in it (as said in section 134). The acceptance of prayers and entreaties and the opening of eyes depend on the ear. This is what is meant by, “Hashem bend your ears and hear; open, Hashem, your eyes and see” (II Melachim 19:16). The ear is prepared by bending, which means the ascent of Malchut to Binah, which brings about the opening of the eyes, which are the brain lobes of Chochmah. Thus, everything derives from the ear.