Weekly Parsha

This weekly part of the Bible study is dedicated to the Leal family and the healing of Enzo Leal.

Refuah Sheimah: Erick (Ezra) ben Hanna Miriam, Yehuda Baruch ben Sarah, Stephen Waczkiewicz (Shimon ben Sarah), Yossefa (Josie) "bat Sharon", Rafael ben Gladis e Esther Bracha "bat Sarah".

Continue praying for: Teddy Welz, Miriam (Mariana) "bat Zulay", Adina (Heidi) "bat Sarah" e Yosefa (Josie) "bat Sharon".

Re'eh

Deuteronomy 11:26 -- 16:17

The name of the Parshah, "Re'eh," means "See,"(רְאֵה‎—Hebrew for "see", the first word in the parashah) is the 47th weekly Torah portion ( פָּרָשָׁה‎, parashah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the fourth in the Book of Deuteronomy. It comprises 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 G-d...; the curse if you do not ... and you follow other gods."

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).

"See, I am placing before you this day a blessing and a curse. The blessing, if you will listen to the commandments of the Almighty which I am commanding you this day. And the curse, if you do not listen to the Almighty's commandments" (Deut. 11:26-28).

The first word of the verse, "See" is written in Hebrew in the singular, though Moshe is addressing the whole Jewish people.

What may we learn from this?

He (Moshe) is talking to each person individually.  Moshe began his address in the singular to tell everyone that they should listen to what he has to say as if he were speaking to him alone.

When listening to a speaker (or your rabbi!), it is easy to think, "He is speaking to everyone else here. I don't have to take what he says seriously since he is not really directing his words to me." This is an error. The way to grow is to view the words of the speaker as if they were directed only to you. Then you will take the words to heart.

The hardest thing in the world ... is to change yourself;
The easiest thing in the world ...is to fool yourself.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Tank

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Rabbi Tank is a professor at the American Jewish College, where he teaches classes on Talmud, Jewish History, and Contemporary Jewish Law. Rabbi Tank is dedicated to finding modern utility and meaning in ancient wisdom texts and is pleased to provide spiritual, cultural, social and educational programming to communities around the world. 

Rabbi Tank was educated at Yeshivas in New York and Miami. He studied Biblical Archeology at Bar Ilan University and Jewish Studies at Harvard University. Rabbi Tank has a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and he is also graduated in International Economic Development from the University of Oxford. 

Rabbi Tank Tank is a Jewish Chaplain actively involved in peace negotiations and relief operations. Rabbi Tank is the director of international affairs at the World Jewish Confederation headquarters in New York and He is member of the White House National Religious Leaders, an Executive Office of the President of the United States in Washington, D.C.

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