Perhaps we can continue this idea to explain why Rashi omitted the Gemara that says that Mosheh had heard this, but had forgotten it. There is no reason to think that Rashi does not agree on this point. Yet, perhaps when Rashi says: He admitted, and was not ashamed to say, “I had not heard,” he was alluding to Mosheh wondering how he could possibly have forgotten part of the Torah that Hashem, Himself, taught him? Could it be, he thought, that he never actually heard it properly? To explain this thought: The Chidushei Harim once expounded on the Gemara that explains that a Jewish bondman has a hole bored through his ear – and specifically the ear – because it is the ear that heard on Sinai not to steal, and yet he stole; the ear heard on Sinai: For Bnei Yisrael are servants to Me” – they are to be My servants and not servants to [my] servants, and yet he took himself another master, so he should have a hole bored in his ear. Now, the obvious question is that it was his hands that stole, not his ear; his hands sold himself as a servant, not his ears! To this, the Chidushei Harim responded: Veizt zech ois az her hot nisht gut gehert – Apparently, he did not hear it well! In other words, had he really heard it properly at Sinai, he certainly would not have sold himself – so it is indeed the ear that is at fault!
So Mosheh publicized the fact that he did not hear it properly, thereby teaching them the importance of hearing things properly. Once again, he was not at all concerned about his own honor, but only the importance of teaching them properly -- Teach it to Bnei Yisrael, Place it in their mouth.
So let the call come out from here that each Jew find the ability to arouse himself to be strong in this matter – to follow the path paved by Mosheh and be happy when we err, for only then can we learn Torah properly. Then it enters the heart and stays there as a spiritual acquisition. We should increase our quality of “good eye”, both with respect to Torah matters and regarding mundane matters as well. The main thing is to be ready to give up one’s honor and status for the sake of helping others. We constantly pray for the return of the Beis Hamikdash, but without developing a “good eye” how will we be able to fulfill its mitzvos? There will be crowds everywhere, with no special sections for “special” people. If one feels the slightest superiority over “the masses,” he won’t be able to stand being among them! The Kozhnitzer Magid explains the Mishnah that counts among the ten miracles that were performed for our forefathers in the Beis Hamikdash that when standing it was crowded, but spacious when they bowed down, as hinting that one who stands up for himself with haughtiness will find it very crowded. But one who bows down in humbleness will always find space. With the help of Hashem, when we strengthen ourselves in this matter, we will become closer to Him, and He will purify and sanctify us with His supernal sanctity, Amen. KYR.
