Re'eh 5773

Advertisements
Advertisements

6 min read

FacebookTwitterLinkedInPrintFriendlyShare

Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 )

Rabbi Kalman Packouz' popular Jewish weekly.

GOOD MORNING! Did you ever want to meet the President of the United States? Unless you are a foreign dignitary or a very generous contributor, the chances of getting an appointment are small. However, there is one time when it is relatively easier to meet the President -- when he is on the campaign trail. Then he seeks out to meet as many people as he can to impact them and communicate his message. In spiritual terms, the upcoming month of Elul is the spiritual equivalent of the campaign trail -- it is the time when the Almighty's presence can most easily be felt.

Tuesday, August 6th, and Wednesday, August 7th, are the two days of Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the new Hebrew month of Elul. This is a very special month in the Jewish year as it is the month preceding Rosh Hashanah (which begins Wednesday evening, September 4th). Jewish cosmology teaches us that each season of the year has a special spiritual opportunity for success. For instance, Passover is the time to work on freedom and Sukkot is the time to work on joy. Elul is the time to work on personal growth.

Elul, when spelled in Hebrew letters, is the acronym for the words, "I am to my beloved, my beloved is to me" (ani l'dodi v'dodi li --oftentimes it will be inscribed on the inside of an engagement ring). The month of Elul is a time of heightened spirituality where the Almighty is, as it were, closer and more approachable. It is a time of introspection and preparation for Rosh Hashanah. It is a time to do a spiritual audit and to fix up your life.

To help you prepare for Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgment, I present questions for you to ask yourself and discuss with family and friends. They are an excerpt from a fabulous and indispensable book, The Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Survival Kit, written by Aish HaTorah alumnus Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf.

 

QUESTIONS FOR A MEANINGFUL LIFE

  1. When do I most feel that my life is meaningful?
  2. Those who mean the most to me -- have I ever told them how I feel?
  3. Are there any ideals I would be willing to die for?
  4. If I could live my life over, would I change anything?
  5. What would bring me more happiness than anything else in the world?
  6. What are my three most significant achievements since last Rosh Hashanah?
  7. What are the three biggest mistakes I've made since last Rosh Hashanah?
  8. What project or goal, if left undone, will I most regret next Rosh Hashanah?
  9. If I knew I couldn't fail, what would I undertake to accomplish in life?
  10. What are my three major goals in life? What am I doing to achieve them? What practical steps can I take in the next two months towards these goals?
  11. If I could only give my children three pieces of advice, what would they be?

 

If you find the High Holidays boring, can't follow the prayer service and don't understand it; if the services lack meaning and aren't spiritual experiences, then to have a meaningful experience and to have something meaningful to share with your children and family -- you might want to get a copy of the Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Survival Kit ... especially if your kids think a shofar is someone who drives a limousine. Or get Beyond Survival by Rabbi Apisdorf at your local Jewish bookstore, at JudaicaEnterprises.com or by calling toll-free to 877-758-3242. Also, see Aish.com/holidays !

Unless you prepare in advance, then you are relying on a miracle to have any kind of positive experience at all.

 

Hear classes on...
ROSH HASHANA
Download to Go
or Listen FREE On-Line

 

Torah Portion of the Week
Re'eh, Deuteronomy 11:26 -- 16:17

This week is a jam-packed portion. It begins with a choice: "I set before you a blessing and a curse. The blessing: if you obey the commandments of God...; the curse: if you do not ... and you follow other gods.""

The portion continues with rules and laws for the land of Israel primarily oriented towards staying away from idol worship and the other religions in the land. In verses 13:1-12 you will find the section that caused a missionary's face to blanch and silenced him from continuing to proselytize a renowned rabbi.

One of the indications of the existence and necessity of the Oral Torah -- an explanation and clarification (later redacted as the Talmud) of the written Torah (The Five Books of Moses) -- comes from verse 12:21 "You will slaughter animals ... according to the manner I (God) have prescribed." Nowhere in the Torah are we instructed in the manner of shechita, ritual slaughter. One might conclude that there was a very sloppy editor. Or -- one might conclude that there are additional teachings (the Oral Law/Talmud) clarifying and amplifying the written Word.

The source of the Chosen People concept is brought this week: "You are a nation consecrated to God your Lord. God has chosen you from all nations on the face of the earth to be His own special nation ... (Deut. 14:1-2)." We are chosen for responsibility, not privilege --to act morally and to be a "light unto the nations."

The portion then gives instructions regarding: permitted and forbidden foods, the Second Tithe, remissions of loans every 7 years, treatment of those in need (to be warm-hearted and open-handed), a Jewish bondsman, the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot).

* * *

Dvar Torah
based on Love Your Neighbor by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

The Torah states:

"You shall surely tithe ..." (Deut. 14:22).

On this verse the Talmud (Taanis 9a) teaches, "Tithe in order that you become wealthy." Rabbi Shimon Shkop wrote that we must realize that one of our main functions in this world is to help others. This is included in our obligation to emulate the Almighty who constantly aids mankind. Just as a person who is appointed to be in charge of dispensing a certain amount of money and properly carries out his duties will be entrusted with larger amounts of money in the future, so too does God deal with man.

If a person takes tithes from his income, that is, he distributes part of his wealth to the poor and to other worthy causes, he shows that he is a reliable treasurer and God will entrust him with greater wealth.

 

CANDLE LIGHTING - August 2
(or go to http://www.aish.com/sh/c/)

Jerusalem 7:00
Guatemala 6:13 - Hong Kong 6:45 - Honolulu 6:51
J'Burg 5:23 - London 8:29 - Los Angeles 7:36
Melbourne 5:15 - Mexico City 7:54 - Miami 7:49
New York 7:53 - Singapore 6:58 - Toronto 8:22

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

The voice of reason is inaudible
to irrational people
-- Dr. Mardy Grothe

 

Happy Anniversary

Alvin & Evelyn
Brown

 

     
In Loving Memory of

Leonard Miller

by Richard & Susan
Finkelstein

 

Click here to comment on this article
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
EXPLORE
LEARN
MORE
Explore
Learn
Resources
Next Steps
About
Donate
Menu
Languages
Menu
Social
.