Torah Thoughts

This week we read the Torah portion “Re’eh” (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25).

“Re’eh” contains 17 positive commandments (“do’s”) and 38 negative commandments (“do not’s”) and 126 verses.

Our Torah portion opens with the concept of blessing and curse resulting from our actions. Our freedom of choice provides us with a lever to control the destiny of the world, the Jewish People and ourselves.

(Deuteronomy 12:20) The Jewish People are granted permission to eat meat, even that which is not consecrated as a sacrifice. Of course, we are only permitted to eat those species designated as “kosher” (14:3-21) and only animals slaughtered in the appropriate manner- by a qualified Jewish shochet using a knife that is free of nicks and blemishes, using a prescribed method. It is interesting to note that the Torah says (verse 21) we must slaughter animals in “the manner I have commanded you,” yet nowhere does the Torah describe this method explicitly. This verse alludes to the Oral Torah. The Torah consists of a written and an oral part. The written Torah is what became known as the Chumash or “Five Books of Moses,” later having the Prophets and Writings appended to form the TaNaCh, the Bible as we know it. The oral Torah evolved into the Talmud, which we have today as a text. It was originally passed down from teacher to student as oral teachings, elucidating the written Torah. The written Torah is a code. The oral Torah is the key to unlocking the secret code. That is why it is difficult to understand the Torah at face value. Other religions have adopted or adapted the Torah, but they fail to perceive the essence of the Torah. Only the Jewish People, to whom G-d bequeathed this special gift, possess the key.

(Deuteronomy 13:2-6) The Torah warns the Jewish People that during their history there will arise a prophet or a dreamer who may even predict the future and produce miracles. If he exhorts the people to worship a deity other than G-d, he is a false prophet, and his “supernatural” abilities are merely a test to determine our steadfastness in our faith. The Talmud teaches us that no matter how many “miracles” such an individual performs, if he attempts to change one detail in the Torah- he is branded a charlatan.

(Deuteronomy 15:7-11) The Torah mandates supporting the poor, interestingly in the context of providing him a loan. Indeed, Miamonides elucidates eight degrees of charity, the greatest of which is providing an opportunity for the indigent to develop self-reliance (providing him with a fishing-rod and not only fish.) The wording of the verse “…destitute among your brethren in any of your cities in your land” teaches us, according to the oral tradition, priorities in dispensing charity. Family members take precedence, followed by local townsfolk and lastly “in your land”- the poor of the Land of Israel are priority over the poor in other lands. The Torah tells us that the scourge of poverty will not disappear. It is the responsibility of each member of society to support those in need, since from the perspective of the well off, the needy exist to provide an opportunity to express the G-d-like quality of Chesed (loving kindness). The Hebrew verb for giving is “NaTaN”. This word is a palindrome i.e. it is read the same backwards and forwards, teaching us that the act of giving is reciprocated. G-d showers blessings upon those who assist His beloved needy children, thus exhibiting their love for Him and His children.

The HAFTARA (excerpt from the prophets) this week is the third in a series of seven “Haftarot of Consolation”. These are read between Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashanah.

This week we read from Isaiah 54:11-55:5. The Haftara begins with G-d comforting Jerusalem, referred to as the “tempest-tossed” and “inconsolable”. This alludes to Jerusalem’s traumatic history of having her children, the Jewish People, taken away from her. The prophet describes Jerusalem’s majestic reconstruction in the Messianic era, and the return of her children, who will become Torah scholars and live in peace.

All those who plot against the Jewish People will ultimately be destroyed.