* TORAH WEEKLY * Highlights of the Weekly Torah Portion Parshas Re'eh For the week ending 30 Av 5755 25 & 26 August 1995 =========================================================== Summary Moshe presents to the nation the blessing of a spiritually oriented life, and the curse of becoming disconnected from Hashem. When the nation enters Eretz Yisrael they must burn down any trees that have been used for idol- worship, and destroy all idolatrous statues. Hashem will choose only one place where the Divine Presence will dwell. Offerings may be brought only there; not to a private altar. Moshe repeatedly warns against eating animal blood. In the desert, all meat was slaughtered in the Mishkan, but in Eretz Yisrael meat may be shechted anywhere. The categories of foods that may only be eaten in Jerusalem are listed by Moshe. He warns the nation against copying the ways of the other nations. Since the Torah is complete and perfect, nothing may be added or subtracted from it. If a false prophet tells the people to permanently abandon a Torah law or indulge in idol worship, he is to be put to death. One who entices others to worship idols is to be put to death. A city of idolatry must be razed. It is prohibited to show excessive signs of mourning, such as marking the skin or making a bald spot between the eyes. Moshe reiterates the classifications of kosher and non-kosher food and the prohibition of cooking meat and milk. Produce of the second tithe must be eaten in Jerusalem, and if the amount is too large to carry, it may be exchanged for money to be spent on food in Jerusalem. In certain years this tithe is given to the poor. Bnei Yisrael are instructed to always be open- hearted, and in the seventh year any loans must be discounted. A Jewish bondsman is released after six years, and must be sent away with generous provisions. If he refuses to leave, his ear is pierced with an awl at the doorpost, and he remains a bondsman until the Jubilee year. The Parsha ends with a description of the three pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuos, and Succos. =========================================================== Commentaries "See! I am putting in front of you today a blessing and curse..." (11:26). When one hears a Rabbi exhorting his flock to lead more spiritual lives and spurn the "flesh-pots," the thought might cross one's mind: "What does he know about flesh-pots that he can tell me how much better a spiritual life is? Maybe if he had a Rolls Royce, he wouldn't be so quick to reject a good time!" That's what Moshe is hinting at here: "See! Look at me! I was a prince in Egypt; I'm one of the richest men in the world; I know what material wealth is. On the other hand, I've ascended to spiritual realms that no other mortal has reached. I spent 120 days speaking to Hashem "face-to-face." As a result, I now wear a veil over my face except when I teach Torah, because my face radiates a light that you can't look at! Look at me -- I know both worlds and I'm telling you -- Choose the spiritual path!" (Adapted from the Ohr HaChaim haKadosh) "See! I am putting in front of you today a blessing and curse...." (11:26). Our Sages teach us that a person should constantly imagine that whole world is in a state of precise balance -- half meritorious and half culpable. He should think that if he does just one mitzvah, he will tip the world's scales of judgment to the side of credit, but if he does one aveirah (transgression) he will tip the scales to the negative side...(Kiddushin 40). Consequently, the Torah tells each individual here "See!" Every single action that you do "I am putting in front of you a blessing and a curse" that you have the power to tip the scales in either direction.... (Toras Moshe) "See! I am putting in front of you today a blessing and curse...." (11:26). Wealth and poverty do not always have the same effect on a person. There are those whose wealth influences them for the good, and through the blessing of their wealth they come to a greater appreciation of Hashem. However, had they been poor, they would have been so occupied trying to find food, that they would have forgotten their Creator. This was the case in Egypt, where the Bnei Yisrael were so exhausted by the hard labor that they didn't listen to Moshe. On the other hand, there are those whom wealth removes from the path of righteousness, as we see so often in our history, that the Jewish people become successful and self-satisfied and forget Who gave them what they have. However, when a person is poor and "broken," Hashem never ignores his supplications. That's what the verse is saying here: "See -- I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse" -- and don't think that the blessing is wealth and the curse is poverty; rather everything depends on how a person deals with his riches or poverty. And whether he be rich or poor, if he turns his focus to the Torah and mitzvos, then whatever his status is in life he receives the blessing. (L'Torah U'Moadim) "You shall tithe the entire crop of your planting..." (14:22). In the first, second, fourth and fifth years of the seven-year shemittah cycle, Jews living in Eretz Yisrael were instructed to separate a tenth of their crops, and bring it to Jerusalem to eat. In the third and sixth years of the cycle, that tenth was given to the poor instead. One might ask: "Why weren't the landowners required to first share with the poor and only subsequently to enjoy their produce in Jerusalem?" The Rambam writes that one must give tzedakah with a joyous countenance and that giving with a disgruntled demeanor negates the mitzvah. It is not enough to do "chesed" (kindness), one must love chesed. More than any other positive mitzvah, writes the Rambam, tzedakah is a sign of the essence of a Jew. By commanding us to bring one tenth of our crops to Jerusalem to rejoice there, Hashem taught us two vital lessons: One -- that our material possessions are a present from Hashem and He can dictate how we use that material bounty. Two -- that using material wealth in the way prescribed by Hashem generates feelings of joy and sanctity. Once we have internalized these lessons in the first two years of the cycle, we can offer that bounty to the poor in the third year -- not perfunctorily, but with a true love of Chesed. (Rabbi Zev Leff) =========================================================== Haftorah: Re'eh - Rosh Chodesh Elul The standard Haftorah for Re'eh is Isaiah 54:11-55:55 which is summarized below. However, due to Rosh Chodesh Elul, the Haftorah of Isaiah 66:1-24 is read instead. In this, the third Haftorah of the "seven of consolation," the prophet Isaiah depicts a time in the future when it will be recognized that Hashem has glorified Israel, and the people will hasten to the scion of David who will lead Israel. In this lyrical evocation of the Messianic Era, the prophet speaks of a world where protection will come openly from Hashem, and where those who hearken to Hashem will be satisfied in abundance, whereas material efforts alone will not suffice. =========================================================== Pirkei Avos: Chapter 1 On Homes and Houses "Let your home be opened wide and let the poor be members of your household. Rabbi Yossi ben Yochanan (Avos 1:5) It is not enough to welcome the needy in your home. You should show them such friendly hospitality that they feel no sense of embarrassment and feel as much at home as the members of your own family. "Keep your distance from a bad neighbor, don't collaborate with a wicked man and never despair from seeing retribution reach the sinner." Rabbi Nitai the Arbeli (Avos 1:7) Just as when you are shopping for a home you make careful inquiries as to the size and quality of the house offered for sale you should also carefully investigate what sort of neighbors you will have to insure that you have a positive environment for you and your family. Rabbeinu Yonah =========================================================== SUBSCRIBE! to one of the many weekly "lists" published by Ohr Somayach Institutions: weekly - Summary of the weekly Torah portion dafyomi - Rav Mendel Weinbach's insights into the Daf Yomi ask - The Rabbi answers YOUR questions on Judaism parasha-qa - Challenging questions on the weekly Torah portion os-special - All the SPECIAL publications produced by Ohr Somayach os-alum - "B'Yachad" - the Ohr Somayach Electronic Alumni Newsletter judaismo - Spanish-Language newsletter on the Parsha & Judaism. There is NEVER a charge for any of the above lists (though your local information provider, such as AOL, Prodigy or CompuServe, might charge a nominal fee). To subscribe to any of these lists, send the message: subscribe {listname} {your full name} to: listproc@jer1.co.il =========================================================== Dedication opportunities are available for Torah Weekly. Please contact us for details. =========================================================== Jewish L EEEEEEEE Prepared by Ohr Somayach Institutions J L E 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 J L Exchange Jerusalem 91180, Israel J J L E Tel: 972-2-810315 Fax: 972-2-812890 JJJJ Learning EEEEEEEE Internet: ohr@jer1.co.il ===========================================================Written and Compiled by Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman Production Design: Lev Seltzer =========================================================== (C) 1995 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue newsletters. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission, and then send us a sample issue.