“Look!” Such begins this week’s parasha, a translation of its name, r’eih. Observe, consider, perceive, discern. That is our work in this season leading up to the New Year. With Rosh Chodesh Elul – the month of cheshbon hanefesh / accounting the soul – beginning on the other side of shabbat this week, indeed, let us all consider our lives.
The context of this command in our parasha is on the cusp of the Israelites crossing the Jordan, before seizing, dispossessing, or “inheriting” the land to its west. They are told to choose between a blessing and a curse – between obeying the laws of G-d as Moses relays them and ignoring them. The laws set forth by Moses to the Israelites at this juncture are uncompromising to the people and their religion and cultural ways. The Israelites are to be unmerciful and complete in their destruction of the people who are living in the land already.
This parasha confronts us today with a momentous challenge where we must indeed look and find the meaning within. The S’fas Emes opined on this parasha in the late 19th century saying that “peace is a vessel that holds blessing.” If we continue to search out meaning in Torah, and in our lives, choosing the path of blessing, it might thus mean choosing the path of peace. And peace is not the negation of war, but the presence of solidarity and justice.
Let us choose that. In Torah, our lives, to the west of the Jordan, and everywhere else.
Shabbat shalom and chodesh tov,
R’ David
PS– The Kadima School year is nearly upon us! If you haven’t registered your young ones for Kadima School 5786 (2025-2026), do it now! And, if you are looking for some joyous, supported part-time work this year with Kadima’s fabulous kiddos, apply here to be the last piece of our school faculty puzzle!
The context of this command in our parasha is on the cusp of the Israelites crossing the Jordan, before seizing, dispossessing, or “inheriting” the land to its west. They are told to choose between a blessing and a curse – between obeying the laws of G-d as Moses relays them and ignoring them. The laws set forth by Moses to the Israelites at this juncture are uncompromising to the people and their religion and cultural ways. The Israelites are to be unmerciful and complete in their destruction of the people who are living in the land already.
This parasha confronts us today with a momentous challenge where we must indeed look and find the meaning within. The S’fas Emes opined on this parasha in the late 19th century saying that “peace is a vessel that holds blessing.” If we continue to search out meaning in Torah, and in our lives, choosing the path of blessing, it might thus mean choosing the path of peace. And peace is not the negation of war, but the presence of solidarity and justice.
Let us choose that. In Torah, our lives, to the west of the Jordan, and everywhere else.
Shabbat shalom and chodesh tov,
R’ David
PS– The Kadima School year is nearly upon us! If you haven’t registered your young ones for Kadima School 5786 (2025-2026), do it now! And, if you are looking for some joyous, supported part-time work this year with Kadima’s fabulous kiddos, apply here to be the last piece of our school faculty puzzle!
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