The "Eyes" Have It

Does Hashem really need a lesson in dikduk - grammar?! An oft-asked question is why the first pasuk in our Sedra of Re'eh seems to have a grammatical mistake: The word Re'eh ("see") is singular, while the complimentary word lifneychem ("before you") is plural! It ought to read either, R'u lifnechem, or Re'eh l'fanecha! What gives?

Let's answer by asking another question! The Torah later says we should do "that which is good & right" (ha-tov v'ha-yashar), in the eyes of G-d. What is the difference between good & right? And why the eyes? Does Hashem really have "eyes," or is another message being sent?

Rashi comments that "good" means "good in the eyes of Heaven," while "right" means "right in the eyes of man." What Rashi seems to be saying is we have been given two eyes, rather than one, for a very good reason: We must, at all times, look up to the Heavens & be sure that we are acting in the way Hashem would want us to act.

But at the same time, it is not enough to seek approval for our actions in the Heavenly court alone. The way we act must also be palatable to those around us; how they look upon our behavior is also of paramount importance.

This requires us to constantly check our actions. Yes, G-d may love it when we exuberantly sing out in prayer to Him & loudly praise His name. But wait - how do the people davening next to us feel about it?! Are we impinging on their ability to pray undisturbed, with concentration?

And yes, it is a very noble thing, for example, to march for the cause of human rights. But if that march happens to be on a Saturday & so desecrates the Shabbat - have we truly brought honor & glory to Hashem's name & His commandment to respect & observe Shabbat?!

Now, perhaps, we can answer our initial question about the unusual combination of the singular & the plural in the opening sentence of Re'eh. Each of us has a personal, unique relationship with G-d, a one-on-One connection that accompanies us every moment of our lives. We must be true to that singular dynamic & appreciate just how special that makes each & every one of us.

But - we must also recognize that we are not alone in this world, we are part of a greater whole, a community, a worldwide family. What we do affects not only ourselves; it extends far & wide. Not only are we connected to Hashem; we are joined at the neshama with every other Jew. And so, we have to look & focus carefully in both directions & be "right" and "good" at the very same time.