Re'eh

📜 The Story

Parshat Re'eh opens with Moshe's powerful words to the Jewish people: See, I place before you today blessing and curse. Moshe explains that keeping Hashem's mitzvot brings blessing, while turning away from them brings curse. Later, when the people enter the Land of Israel, some tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to declare the blessings and others on Mount Eival to declare the curses.

In this parsha, Moshe commands the people to remove all idol worship and to tear down the pagan sites of the nations of Canaan. Instead, the Jewish people are to bring their offerings only to the one place that Hashem will choose, the future site of the Beit Hamikdash. Moshe also repeats the signs of kosher animals, so the people know which animals they may eat.

The parsha teaches many mitzvot of giving and kindness. Every seventh year, the shmita year, debts are to be released and Hebrew servants set free, and they must be sent off with generous gifts. Moshe warns not to close one's hand to the poor, and gives the famous instruction, open your hand generously to your brother, to your poor, and to your needy in your land.

Moshe also warns against false prophets and against anyone who tries to entice people toward idol worship, even a beloved close relative, commanding that such a person should not be pitied or listened to. The parsha also mentions the prohibition against cutting oneself in mourning, because the Jewish people are a holy nation to Hashem.

Near the end of the parsha, Moshe details the three pilgrimage festivals, Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot, when all the men would go up to the place Hashem chooses. The parsha teaches us that the choice is truly ours, and that when we give to others wholeheartedly and keep the mitzvot with love, we continue the blessing promised to us.