Re'eh

📜 The Story

'Re'eh' means 'see.' Moses says to the Jewish people, 'See, I am putting before you today a blessing and a curse.' Keeping God's mitzvot (commandments) brings blessing. Turning away from them brings a curse. When the people enter the Land of Israel, some tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to call out the blessings, and others on Mount Ebal to call out the curses.

Moses tells the people to get rid of all idol worship and tear down the places where the nations of Canaan worshiped idols. The Israelites must bring their offerings only to the one place God will choose. That place would later be the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Moses also repeats the signs of kosher animals, so the people know which animals they may eat.

The parsha has many mitzvot about giving and kindness. In the seventh year, the Shmita year, loans are forgiven. When a Hebrew servant goes free, he must be sent off with generous gifts. Moses says not to close your hand to someone in need. Instead, 'open your hand' to your brother and to the poor in your land.

Moses warns the people about false prophets, and about anyone who tries to lead them to worship idols, even a close relative. They must not listen to such a person. The parsha also says not to cut ourselves when someone dies, because the Jewish people are a holy nation to God.

Near the end, Moses describes the three pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. On these holidays, all the men went up to the place God would choose. The choice to follow God's ways is ours. When we give to others with a full heart and keep the mitzvot with love, the blessing continues.