Parashat Re'eh: Perspective, Choices, and Commitments
- Yudit Rosenbaum
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 22
Good morning, friends,
Today I want to share a short but heartfelt message. It is the Yahrzeit of my grandmother, Mara Shavel bas Avish Meyer, a"h. She was a true Eishes Chayil (woman of valor). She passed away before the war, spared from Auschwitz, unlike most of our family.
She grew up in Sanz and instilled the spirit of Chassidut in her children—a spirit that reached my father, Hashem yikom damo. May her neshama have an aliyah.
Parashat Re’eh: Seeing Ahead
This week is Parashat Re’eh, always read before Rosh Chodesh Elul. The very word “Re’eh” (ראה) contains hints of the upcoming season:
Aleph (א) for Elul (אלול)
Resh (ר) for Rosh Hashanah (ראש השנה)
It’s a reminder: as Elul approaches, Rosh Hashanah is not far behind. Life moves quickly. We may be coming back from holidays, but do we truly see what is before us?
This week, let’s focus on three interconnected themes:
Our Perspectives – how we look at life’s events.
Our Choices – the decisions shaped by those perspectives.
Our Commitments – the actions that follow our choices.
“HaYom”: Today Matters
At the opening of the parasha, we read:
“Re’eh Anochi Noten Lifneichem HaYom Bracha u’Klala”See, I place before you today a blessing and a curse.
The word “HaYom” (today) appears three times, reminding us of Rosh Hashanah, the “birthday of the world.” On that day, three books are opened:
The Righteous
The Wicked
The Beinonim (those in-between, given 10 days to tip the scales)
Why does Moshe say see and not listen? Because seeing leaves a deeper impact. Hearing about an earthquake is one thing; seeing the destruction is another. Hashem is urging us to open our eyes and truly see the choices before us.
Har Gerizim & Har Eival: The Power of Torah
Hashem instructs us to look at two mountains in Shechem: Har Gerizim (blessings) and Har Eival (curses). Though side by side, identical in climate and rain, one was lush and green while the other barren.
The message: the same source can yield opposite results. The difference lies in whether life is guided by Torah.
“Et HaBracha Asher Tishmeru” – the last letters spell TORAH (תורה).
With Torah, life is blessed.
Without Torah, life can feel empty, no matter how successful on the surface.
Tilting the Scales
The Rambam teaches: every action we take can tilt the balance of the entire world. Imagine the world as perfectly balanced—your next word, deed, or thought can push it toward blessing, or chas v’shalom, toward curse.
After “Re’eh” comes “Anochi”—the same word that began the Ten Commandments: “Anochi Hashem Elokecha.” Each of us has a purpose. Our choices matter.
Children of Hashem: Unity & Care
Later, the parasha tells us:
“Banim Atem LaHashem Elokeichem” – You are children of Hashem your God.
Every Jew is beloved by Hashem as a child. And like a loving father, He wants His children united.
“Lo Titgodedu” teaches:
Do not divide into factions.
Do not cut yourselves off from one another.
Unity leads directly to Tzedakah, caring for one another:
“Lo Se’ametz Et Levavcha” – Don’t harden your heart.
“Lo Tikpotz Et Yadcha” – Don’t close your hand.
“Patach Titpate’ach” – Open your hand generously, with love.
A Story of Prayer & Connection
Rabbi Zaid, childless for many years, once organized a shiur before Pesach for seven childless couples. The Rabbi who spoke gave them a single suggestion:
“Each husband should daven for another husband, and each wife for another wife.”
Rabbi Zaid himself partnered with a close friend. The following year, on Erev Pesach, both families were blessed with children. Years later, those very children became engaged to one another—building a faithful Jewish home together.
The lesson: when we pray for others, Hashem brings blessing to us as well.
Preparing for Elul
As we enter Rosh Chodesh Elul:
Let us sharpen our perspective.
Let us choose well.
Let us commit to meaningful action.
May this month bring us health, blessing, holiness, and sweetness.
Shabbat Shalom from Yerushalayim!
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