- About Us
- Prayer
- Lifelong Learning
- Community
- Events
- Groups
- Support TBS
A Good Time to Make a Choice for Goodness and Blessing
08/10/2023 11:12:56 AM
Rabbi Bryan Wexler
Author | |
Date Added | |
Automatically create summary | |
Summary |
The Book of Deuteronomy is more auditory than visual. The Hebrew name of the book, Devarim, can be translated as “words” or “sayings.” Moses delivers poetry and memoir; encouragement and criticism. Not originally a confident public speaker, now Moses offers a masterful verbal performance as nearly the entire book is comprised of a speech he gives to b’nai Yisrael. He uses every tool he can to get the people to listen, now and in the future. For most of the book, he is literally a lone voice in the wilderness.
The Hebrew root “Shema.” which can be translated as hear, listen, heed, and understand appears throughout this week’s Torah portion, Re’eh. Already in the second verse of the portion, we are promised blessing “when you listen (tishmeu) to the commandments of Adonai your God.” Verse three promises a curse “if you do not listen (lo tishmeu).”
All this focus on hearing makes the opening verse of the Torah portion particularly striking: “Look (Re’eh), I am giving you today blessing and curse.”
How are we to understand this opening phrase and especially the word “look.” Over the centuries, commentators have offered the following interpretation and lessons from this command to “look” and “see”:
1. Look at the world and at the choices before you.
2. Look in the mirror and examine your life and who you hope to be. Take responsibility for the choices you make and the world you hope to create.
3. Look for help. Look to role models.
4. Look and see that you have a choice.
And finally: now is a good time to choose.
According to Re’eh, choice is given “today.” That means that any day is auspicious for choosing. It’s always a good time to make a choice for goodness and blessing.
Yet, this time of year is especially important for both seeing and choosing. In a little over a week, the month of Elul will begin. Elul is the time when we are challenged to review the past year and create a vision for the coming year. We look inward — at our own motivations, impulses, and dreams. We look outward — to see whom we have hurt and how we might help repair the world. God is considered to be especially close as we inch closer to the High Holidays. In the language of our tradition, “the King is in the field.” God is within view. Now, we must re’eh, look. As we look, may we see all of the love and blessings that surround us. May we see all that cries out to us, and may we see the work that lies ahead.
Wed, January 8 2025
8 Tevet 5785
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
The TBS website was made possible by a generous donation from the TBS Endowment Fund.
Privacy Settings | Privacy Policy | Member Terms
©2025 All rights reserved. Find out more about ShulCloud