This Shabbos we read Parashas Re'eh where we are told HaShem Presents us with a Blessing and a Curse.We will be Blessed if we keep HaShem's Commandments and cursed if we don't.
HaShem Instructs that when we enter the Land of Canaan, that we are to stand and call out the Blessings on Mount Gerizim and the Curses on Mount Eival so as soon as we come into the land, we get a very strict reminder to always obey G-D .
HaShem then reminds us to keep the Land Sanctified and to utterly destroy all the places and altars and pillars and trees where other nations performed their Avodah Zarah.
Then HaShem Tells us not to use private altars but only to offer offerings at the place HaShem Chooses.
We are told not to copy any of the ways of the Canaanites or other nations , but to remain a pure and holy people unto our G-D .
HaShem then Teaches us not to listen to the words of a false prophet who performs signs and wonders, but tells us to follow other ways other than what G-D Tells us in His Torah, or tries to get us to follow deities or ways that are foreign to us or pagan, and so HaShem Warns us that we are not to hearken to the words of this prophet.Just before this part, HaShem Tells us to listen to His Word that He Commands us not to add to or subtract from His Word , or add new testaments , for only Torah and Tanach and HaShem's Words to Moshe and to our Prophets who keep HaShem's Laws, are from G-D .HaShem even reminds us , that such a false person is a test to see how much we love G-D and will be faithful to G-D Only and thus , we are told to ignore the words of such a 'dreamer of a dream.' Torah goes on to what to do to one who tries to entice a Jew away from His Laws and then continues to speak of a wayward city where a whole town exists that has been enticed away from HaShem, to follow Avodah Zarah, and how we must utterly , after investigation and finding it is a 'wayward city' ,how the city must be destroyed and not even its tainted articles be used, but must be burnt.
HaShem Continues to Explain how we Jews are a Treasured People and not to make a bald spot or cut ourselves for the dead, as other nations did.Thus , we are not to go along with even the fashions and fads of the other nations, but remain holy and unique.
HaShem then talks of forbidden foods and tithes, the remission of loans and being kind to our brethren and bondsmen and then the Parsha talks of the Pilgrim Festivals of Pesach, Shavuos and Succos and how three times a year,are our males to appear before HaShem our G-D ,in the ' Place He will Choose ' on the Festival of Matzos, on the Festival of Shavuos and on the Festival of Succos ,' not appearing empty-handed but to give according to the Blessing that HaShem Blessed us with.
Our Parsha is called Parashas Re'eh , where HaShem says ,' Re'eh Anochi Notein Lif'neichem Hayom Bracha U'K'lala,' - ' See , I present before you today a Blessing and a Curse .'
HaShem Says to us that we have a choice, to choose whether we want to do the right thing or not and whatever we choose, will bring about its own consequences .It is interesting that HaShem uses the word ' Re'eh,' which means 'See.' Thus HaShem wants us to see what is before us.HaShem tells us that before our choice is a Blessing or a Curse and so , HaShem Let's us see what the result will be before we act either way.HaShem Warns us that we can bring upon ourselves hardship if we don't listen and HaShem Tells us that we can also bring upon ourselves Blessings if we do listen. The choice is ours to make.HaShem puts both paths 'Lif'neichem' - 'Before us' and let's us choose.
How are we to choose? By 'Re'eh,' seeing,looking ahead at where each path will lead. But how are we supposed to choose correctly when we get so tempted by the Yetzer Horah? The answer to that is in the first word and name of this Parsha - ' Re'eh ', which teaches us how to look and see .' For within the word 'Re'eh,' is the word 'Yir'eh,' which means to 'Fear.' Thus in 'Re'eh' - 'looking and seeing ,' we must always keep 'Yir'eh,' - the 'Fear of HaShem,' Lif'neichem before us and then the Yetzer Horah , will have no power over us. If we Fear HaShem with love, then the path 'Lifneichem before us will always lead us to a Bracha, a Blessing . HaShem also Uses the word 'Re'eh,' - 'See,' for it is with the eyes that first see all things around us, that gets us to want and desire that which is not correct. Thus if we keep 'Yir'eh ' - 'Fear ' of HaShem ,withing our 'Re'eh ,' - 'Seeing ' and let it lead us to keep HaShem's Will and Torah Laws , we will always keep to the right path and be Blessed. It is for our own sakes that we choose wisely for HaShem Wants to Bless us and does not delight in the punishment of those that deserve punishment.Within the word 'K'lal,' - 'Cursed,' is the word 'Kalal,' which means ' Burnished Metal,' which is metal that has burnished , which means 'Polished,' and polished means it has been cleaned .Thus even in the 'Kilel,' - 'Curse,' and punishment, there is a cleaning,a cleansing and fixing of the Aveirah.
HaShem is most merciful , and wishes us only to do His Will .
If we do His Will, then we choose to be nearer to Him , the result of that will be the most beautiful 'Bracha,' of all - 'Blessing of all, to 'Re'eh,' - to 'See' and be close to His Beautiful Shechinah at the End of Days.
With love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with Love, a Beautiful Sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all , a beautiful sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.