61 Lessons
Re'e FAMILY, REGARDLESS!"- Parshat R'eh
This short but "packed" article suggests an interesting story, as well as several innovative understandings regarding the machloket in this week's parsha how all Israel is termed the "children of Hashem", and why the mitzva of Ahavat Yisrael is unconditional. Not only should we see every Jew, even one who's actions are irresponsibly, as our brother, but even as our child!
Parashat Hashavua Which Is the Greater Value – Religiosity or Unity?
Our parasha focuses on the “place that Hashem will choose” (see Devarim 12:5-11). From the time these Torah passages were given, it took a long time until the place was identified. Only in the time of King David, more than 400 years after the Exodus from Egypt, was the secret revealed that the place was Jerusalem.
Re'e Stop Working Just for the Pay!
Once when I was serving reserve duty (miluim) in the IDF, I was sitting in the synagogue tent learning some Torah, when I happened to overhear some tidbits of conversation between two of my buddies. One of them was Torah-observant, the other one not yet. Out of the corner of my ear I heard the latter ask, "Tell me, how do you live with the fact that I can enjoy the world to the hilt, while you're saddled with all those Torah restrictions?" The religious one gave him a quick, short answer: "You enjoy This World, while I'll enjoy the World to Come!" Cringe.
Parashat Hashavua The Apprentice
In the ancient world, when grieving for a dead person, idol worshippers would make a bald spot in their hair between the eyes. The Torah explicity forbids this practice in Parshat Re'eh. Why?
Parashat Hashavua To what extent are we supposed to pray for our needs?
On Tefilla – part III
We will continue to delve into the matter of tefilla as it is practiced within a community of believers in Hashem. In that framework, let us ask: To what extent are we supposed to pray for our needs and to what extent are we to make practical efforts toward them? Also, where does belief in Hashem's providence fit in?
Re'e The "Eyes" Have It
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?
Re'e Hunting for Meat
Parshas Re’eih includes the commandment that instructs us how to prepare our meat for our table.
Re'e Defining Reality
One of the gifts of great leaders, and one from which each of us can learn, is that they frame reality for the group. That is one of their most magisterial roles, and no one did it more powerfully than did Moses in the book of Deuteronomy.
Re'e Choices
The Torah presents us with the most basic choice that we can make – the stark choice between eternal life and death itself. Surprisingly e are witness to the fact that many times human beings make choices that are anti-life.
Parashat Hashavua Insights on Dealing with Societal Crisis
The Coronavirus pandemic is certainly a health issue; it is important to avoid contracting or transmitting it, which are Torah obligations. But the period has been challenging for us in two other ways. The Financial crisis and the social crisis.
