Chassidut on the Torah

Chassidut Archives

The week of Parshas Re’eh, Shabbos Mevarchim Elul 5761 Overview Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17) opens with a blessing and curse being placed before the Jewish people - our actions determine the outcome! The Jews are reminded to obliterate idolatry from the Land and to offer sacrifices only where permitted. Laws are given concerning slaughtering and eating meat. The Jews are warned not to worship as the idolaters did. Punishments of false prophets, missionaries, and apostate cities are discussed. G-d calls the Jews His “children” and a “special nation” which He chose from all the other nations. Next are listed laws of kosher animals, fowl, fish and insects and the prohibition for cooking milk and meat together. Also, laws of tithes and the Sabbatical year are relayed, in particular, the relinquishing of debts. The Jews are reminded not to withhold giving loans because of this, and will receive G-d’s blessing for doing so. Following this is a list of laws regarding slaves. Additional laws that are listed: first-born “clean” animals are dedicated to G-d; blemished animals are forbidden to be offered; consuming blood is forbidden. Re’eh concludes with the laws of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. Overview This week’s parsha discusses the challenge in refuting a false prophet. The verse about this says, “...G-d puts you through this trial to know...” how dedicated we are to Him (13/4). The Alter Rebbe asks in his work, Likutei Torah, what is the meaning of this word “to know”? G-d knows everything, why does He have to test us. He answers that the purpose of a life trial is not for G-d but for our own benefit: to help us come to a more attuned awareness of our relationship with G-d. How does it work? Every trial presents an obstacle to our serving G-d fully. Chassidus explains that hidden in these trials is a special very high spark of G-dliness that only we have the power to redeem. This is according to the kabbalistic principle that everything from a high spiritual level that enters this world, falls to a lower, more hidden plane. The higher the spark, the lower it falls into concealment. When a person stands up to a test, he or she reveals this hidden spark, literally bringing a light of consciousness in their soul and the world. This is the meaning of the verse, ‘that G-d tests us to KNOW’; that we come to know more about how to relate to G-d. What is the connection to the Torah’s teaching about false prophets? The Tzemach Tzedek explains that the most difficult trial in our generation is the strength of our faith in G-d and His Torah. Everyone will admit that life deals its share of challenges. Don’t let them get you in the dumps, and certainly don’t run away from them. Look at these obstacles as G-d’s wake-up call for you to become a better Jew, spouse, employer, friend, etc. Crossing these road bumps will only help you get to the final destination, of making the world more attune to G-d. Let me tell you a true story. Shira, a sixth grade teacher from the Midwest spent last Shabbos with us at Ascent. She was on her way to Sbarro for a quick lunch at a minute before 2 PM last Thursday. Here in Israel to learn more about Judaism, she was shocked by how many people were on the streets asking for tzedakah. Such a person was standing in front of Sbarro. Looking into her purse, all Shira had were big bills. Her hunger and time constraints put aside, Shira went in search of a money changer or bank to get some smaller money to pass on to the unfortunate person. Turning the corner of King George, Shira was thrown to the ground, shaken but alive. The obstacle of changing her money saved Shira’s life. In a different discourse, the Alter Rebbe discusses the month of Elul (which begins this Sunday night), as the preparation month for the High Holidays. During the month of Elul, the king is in the field, coming to see his subjects. All he expects is that they will come out to greet him. And whoever does, will be welcome to visit the king in his palace when he returns to the capital city. The king is G-d and we are the subjects. The fields are the regular days of our lives during this month before the High Holidays. The palaces are the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Whose prayers will G-d receive during the High Holidays? Those who pushed themselves during the month of Elul to go out of their way to serve Him.                           Shabbat Shalom, Shaul A Jew once came to R’ Elimelech of Lizhensk and asked for advice in improving his weak memory. R’ Elimelech answered him that he should do t’shuva (return to G-d). The Sages taught that t’shuva reaches up to G-d’s throne of glory. And we pray on the High Holidays “...there is no forgetfulness before Your throne of glory.” So, if you want to work on your memory, remember to do t’shuva!

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