Parashat Re'eh
Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11 - 55:5 (Third Haftarah of Consolation)
Dedications and Calendar of Events follow.
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please
cite the source
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The Eternal Optimist--------------------------------------------------------------
“See, I set before you today a blessing and a
curse. The blessing: when you hearken to the commandments of the Lord your
God, which I command you today. And the curse: if you do not hearken to
the commandments of the Lord your God, and you stray from the path which I command
you today, to follow after other gods that you do not know.” Deuteronomy
11:26-28
Rabbeinu Bachya: "If" (im) is an
expression of doubt which was therefore inappropriate in connection with
obedience to the Torah, but quite appropriate in the context of
punishment. The text therefore uses "when" (asher) - an
expression of certainty with reference to obedience.
What is the certainty that Rabbeinu Bachya is referring
to? One might think that it is a certainty that one will be blessed if one
obeys the commandments. But that could mean that there might be some doubt that
one would be cursed if one disobeyed! This might create some temptation to
sin - "Maybe I'll get away with it!"
I like to believe that the certainty has to do with
confidence that we will do the right thing. "If you do not
hearken" suggests only the possibility that we will disobey - therefore,
only the possibility that we might be cursed. However, "when you
hearken" shows a firm belief that we will obey the commandments - hence,
confidence that we will receive God's blessings. God the Eternal One is truly
the Eternal Optimist! If God has that kind of faith in us, shouldn't we return
the favor? It's not a question of "if" - only a question of
"when"!
Have a wonderful Shabbat!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
Congregation Beth MeierStudio City , CA
http://www.bethmeier.org
Visit me on Facebook
"For the sake of Zion I will not be
silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still." Isaiah
62:1
--------------------------------------------Candle lighting: 7:34 pm
Friday, 8/2 – Shabbat
Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday, 8/3 – Shabbat
Morning Service – 10:00 am. Ba’al K’riat Torah – Barry Glass. Kiddush
lunch, sponsored by Gail and Marshall Neiman in honor of Marshall ’s 80th birthday,
follows services.Tuesday, 8/6 – Lunch and Learn – noon - a 90 minute discussion on a Jewish topic of interest. Everyone is welcome to participate. Lunch is provided - donation requested.
Shabbat, 8/9-10 – Bar Mitzvah of Beck Saunders. Mazal tov!
This d’var torah is offered in honor of Jason Snow, becoming a bar mitzvah this Shabbat. Mazal tov!
This d’var torah is offered in honor of Marshall Neiman, celebrating his 80th birthday this Shabbat. Ad meah v’esrim!
This d'var torah is offered for a
refuah shleimah for Dov Nechemya Hakohen ben Rachel Chaya Sarah, Eve Beatty,
Howard Ehrlich, Jerry Forman, Beth Goldstein, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan,
Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Frank Marcovitz, and Phil Raider.
Please let me know if there is
anyone you would like to add to this list, or if anyone's name may be removed
from this list.
My weekly d'var torah is also available via e-mail through Cyber Torah. Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will
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