TO HAVE AND TO BEHOLD

Parashat Re'eh

Torah - Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17
Haftarah - Isaiah 54:11 - 55:5

Av 25, 5786 / August 7-8, 2026

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We're continuing to read and discuss Ramban (Nachmanides) on the Book of Genesis.  On August 10, we'll be at: 

https://www.sefaria.org/Ramban_on_Genesis.1.18.2?lang=bi  

It is recommended that you also have with you a chumash with commentaries.

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Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.

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TO HAVE AND TO BEHOLD

"Behold (you - singular), I give before you (plural) a blessing and a curse." Deuteronomy 11:26





Many have wondered - why the change in number? Menachem Mendel, the Kotzker Rebbe, says the Torah was indeed given to "you all" - but that each person beholds within it only that which they are capable of seeing and only to the extent of their understanding. I would add that this implies the uniqueness of every person’s understanding of the Torah!

Hillel taught: 'Do not say, "It is impossible to understand this", for ultimately it will be understood. Do not say, "When I have leisure, I will study", for you may never have leisure.' Avot 2:5

As a people, we have the gift of the Torah. True, each of us may be limited by our ability to understand it. But that gives no excuse to refuse to learn! In the end, each of us can understand it, do it to the best of our ability and transmit our understanding to others - but only if we first take the time to behold it!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus, Temple B’nai Hayim
.אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם? הַלוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1
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