The Torah is meant to be read, re-read, and re-read over and over again.  It begins with a  ב (bet), and ends with a  ל (lamed), which, when put together, spell  לב (lave), or heart.  Our Torah was given to us with love from the figurative heart of G-d, because Adonai is love.

         This week, our parashah begins with the word Re’eh, translated as seeing, see, look, watch, behold, and I’m sure there are others I may have forgotten to mention.  It is one of our portions which contains many seemingly disparate items, lessons, or ideas.  For me, they share in common the theme of showing us everything we give earthly value to comes from Adonai.  The parashah even begins by telling us to look:  “I place before you the blessing and the curse...”.  Isn’t everything we have or want a bit of both?  Rhetorical question, as the answer is, of course!

        Once we attain something we want, someone will always be there to try to take it away from us.  Even our own children don’t belong to us - we don’t own them.  Our children, like everything we think we have, were given to us to be placed in our own hands as wonderful gifts from Adonai.  Gifts of which we are also responsible for caring, nurturing, and sharing.

        Our children, food, animals, works of our hands, homes, property, money, family, friends, and probably other items I accidentally omitted, are all given to us to care for, to share, and as a responsibility.  We are commanded this week to never forget it is Adonai who lends us all of the above, and Adonai  who can take them from us.  Yes, people will physically take the aforementioned items from us occasionally, but only if Adonai allows it.  While I recognize I could now begin a discussion of good and evil, fate and destiny, as well as the power of choice, and all of these are involved with our parashah, but understand this:  I leave the thinking about these to you.

        Watch, and learn.  Act towards each other with the love Adonai reminds us we are blessed with, as discussed this week.  Evil exists here.  It is due to this fact we must guard ourselves and each other from it.  This week, we are told it is every person’s responsibility to take care of each other.  Next week, we will be told to elect judges and law enforcement agents to help us.

        There are also certain ideas which we find repeated many times throughout our parashah.  These are:  the number seven; take care of the Levites; be careful what you eat and where you eat; don’t worship false gods -or allow anyone to lead you or anyone else astray; rejoice, bless and thank Adonai for everything all of the time; and demonstrate your love and awe of Adonai through your actions towards your fellow human.  The parashah reminds us time and again the Levites will not have earthly wealth, and we should never neglect to see to their earthly needs and comfort, as the Levites are the representatives of Adonai on earth.  They carry the responsibility of  tending to and nurturing your/our souls, and therefore shouldn’t need to worry about their own needs or desires, as the Levites are concerned with and responsible for the needs of us all - our souls’ connection to and with Adonai.

        As with everything else, we are responsible for helping the Levites fulfill their purpose, and we do this by tending to their needs, so as to free their time and minds to all matters pertaining to Adonai.  We are continually reminded this week to do so joyfully.  The earthly wealth we have is given to some in order to share with those who aren’t able to attain these things.  We are warned not to give so that we ourselves are made poor, but we are to take care of each other, thereby not creating situations which lead to feelings of desperation in others.  As we all know, these situations lead to all things criminal.

        As I stated earlier, the number seven is repeated often, and interestingly (and ironically), this week it is not explicitly stated to remember, observe, and perform Shabbat.  Instead, we are reminded many times to remember it was Adonai who freed us from slavery.  In fact, Passover is discussed at length.  The two ideas are most definitely related.  We are responsible to do what we can in this world, but ultimately, we only have so much control, and therefore must leave some of the responsibility to Adonai.  We are partners, which means we must act, but Adonai, being our partner, acts too.

        We are also reminded that while Adonai will give us true prophets, we must guard ourselves and each other from false prophets.  Furthermore, these false prophets are here on earth to “test” us, and our faith.

        One way we are told to protect ourselves this week is by what we ingest.  While the parashah speaks of what we call Kosher foods, and it goes into great detail, because what we eat is included within the parashah, it is about so much more than just physical food.  In fact, to support the insight of mine Adonai inspired me to teach, as well as learn, the Kosher discussion is juxtaposed with a discussion about tithing and the Jubilee.  The transition may appear sudden and strange until one ponders the spiritual message.  What one puts into one’s mouth affects what comes out.  What we “take in” affects what we give and do.  Therefore, we must always remember, as we are admonished to here, to always thank Adonai for our blessings.

        The discussion of idol worship applies as well.  Especially when one is cognizant that idol worship is about worshiping tangible things, and the intangible which they represent, i.e. power, lust, money, control, etc.  We can guard against this by always keeping in mind our material wealth is from Adonai, and it is transient.  Our souls are immortal.  Our souls will remain long after our bodies do.  Our souls are a part of Adonai, connect us with each other, and with Adonai.  Adonai is the beginning, the end, the heart and soul of all of existence, and we are a part of this amazing and wonderful truth.  As long as we make certain to keep this truth in mind, we are in fact blessed no matter what our material wealth may or may not be.  Material things are to be shared.  Those who have are required to recognize they are temporary if used and hoarded selfishly, but if used lovingly and shared, our coffers will remain full.  Sometimes we are tested, sometimes the giver becomes needy.  While it is difficult, at best, to adjust our thinking when our physical circumstances change, and when we are used to being caretakers to have to be taken care of for a time, it is a necessary situation in order to bring to the attention of those who don’t like to give:  it is now their turn and responsibility to joyously give.  Not only to joyously give, but to give in such a way as to enable those in need to be able to once again take care of themselves.  We must release those who are suffering from the burden we place upon them when we lord our money over their heads.

        Watch, and learn.  The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away - we are all familiar with this saying.  It is true.  Connect with Adonai, and do as Adonai does, help those who need you now, take care of your “brothers,” or fellow human beings, especially your family.  Do so lovingly, joyously, and helpfully.  What goes up must come down.  Everything we experience here on earth cycles through.  One day we have, the next we don’t.  If we share joyfully and lovingly what we have when we can, then when we don’t have any longer, we become part of the opportunity for others to do the same for us.  Rise to the occasion.  The best we have to give others is to tend to each other’s souls.  We can raise up each other, when we act in G-d’s ways, or we can bring each other down.  The blessing or the curse - this is what we have before us.  They are both the same.  The difference lies in our perspective.  Choose to be a blessing.

        Shabbat Shalom!  I’d love to know what you think!