Not in Heaven (lo ba-shamayim hi) is a phrase found in a Biblical verse, Deut 30:12, which encompasses the passage's theme, and takes on additional significance in rabbinic Judaism.
In its literal or plain meaning, the verse means that God's commands are not overwhelming but rather close to human hearts and abilities to obey. As noted in the New Oxford Annotated Bible, "The covenant demand is not beyond human reach or understanding but has been graciously revealed... 'the word is near you.'" The full verse states: "It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?' In general, the verse conforms with how "... the deuteronomic tradition believed its Torah to be an immediately accessible wisdom, neither distant nor wondrous."
Read more about Not In Heaven: Jewish Interpretations, Sources
Famous quotes containing the word heaven:
“... if it be true that death is annihilation, then the man who believes that he will certainly go straight to heaven when he dies, provided he has fulfilled certain simply observances in this life, has a cheap pleasure which will not be followed by the least disappointment.”
—Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914)