(Devarim 11:30) "Are they not across the Jordan?": across the Jordan and beyond. These are the words of R. Yehudah. "after the way of the coming of the sun": the place from which the sun shines (i.e., rises). "in the land of the Canaani, who inhabits the plain": This refers to Mount Gerizim and Mount Eival, which are inhabited by Cuthites. "opposite Gilgal": near Gilgal. "near the terebinths of Moreh": This is Shechem. It is written here "the terebinths of Moreh," and, elsewhere, (Bereshith 12:16) "And Avram passed through the land, until the place of Shechem, until the terebinths of Moreh." Just as "the terebinths of Moreh" there, is in Shechem, so, here, (Shechem is intended). R. Elazar b. R. Yossi said: I said to the Cuthite scribes: You falsified the Torah⁠a and "brought up" (i.e., originated) nothing. For you wrote "near the terebinths of Moreh near Shechem," (this ["near Shechem"] being the addition of the Cuthites). We, too, agree that it is Shechem. We learn it from a gezeirah shavah , (identity [i.e., we learn it by way of the oral law, to which you do not subscribe]), it being written "Are they not across the Jordan," and, elsewhere "And Avram passed through the land, etc." Just as "the terebinths of Moreh" there, is Shechem, so, here (Shechem is intended). How did you derive it! R. Elazar says: These are not the Mount Eival and Mount Gerizim between the Cuthites, it being written "Are they not across the Jordan" — near the Jordan. "after the way of the coming of the sun" — the place where the sun sets. "in the land of the Canaani": But is it not the land of the Chivi? "who inhabits the plain": But do they not dwell among mountains and hills? "opposite Gilgal": But is the Gilgal not seen from there? — R. Eliezer b. Yaakov says: The purpose of Scripture (here) is (not to give an exact description, but) to teach them the way to return as he showed them in the beginning (viz. Bamidbar 13:17-20), viz. ("after the way") — Go by the way (i.e., by the beaten path) and do not go through the fields. "who inhabits" — Go through the habitation and not through the desert. "in the plain" — Go by way of the plain and not by way of the mountains.