The Mitzvah of Charity

The Bible teaches us to give generously to those in need. How much should we be giving to the poor and to the work of the kingdom?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Re'eh (ראה | See)

Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5 (Shabbat Rosh Chodesh: Isaiah 66:1 - 66:24)

Gospel: John 16:1-17:26

See!

                    (Deuteronomy 11:26)

Av 26, 5777/August 18, 2017

"See! I set before you today a blessing and a curse." (Deuteronomy 11:26)

This week's Torah reading, Re'eh! opens with the commandment to "See!"Many times Torah instructs us to listen or to hearken, (Shema!) as a way of performing a commandment or internalizing a message, but this use of the word re'eh - see - is relatively rare.

The Torah understanding of the act of hearing or listening is that it is a process of internalizing intellectually and developing an understanding of what you have heard. "Shema Yisrael" is a commandment to ponder G-d's absolute One-ness and His absolute presence and being-ness in our world. We pronounce these words and contemplate their meaning twice daily, and live our lives accordingly. To listen is to hear, to scrutinize, to study, and ultimately, to live by our conclusions. This discipline of hearing/studying is ever-present in the oral Torah, as well, and in the literature of our sages, whose discourses and debates are often introduced with the words, "Come, listen!"

Forty Years of Preparation

Before God can entrust us with weighty things, He tests us in lighter matters. Life is about learning to recognize and pass the tests.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ekev (עֵקֶב | Consequence)

Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3

Gospel: John 13:31-15:27

Bless HaShem, your G-d, for the good land He has given you

(Deuteronomy 8:10)

Av 19, 5777/August 11, 2017

"For HaShem your G-d is bringing you to a good land, a land with brooks of water, fountains and depths, that emerge in valleys and mountains, a land of wheat and barley, vines and figs and pomegranates, a land of oil producing olives and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, you will lack nothing in it, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose mountains you will hew copper. And you will eat and be sated, and you shall bless HaShem, your G-d, for the good land He has given you." (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)

How did Moshe know? Moshe had never set foot in the lands of Israel, nor would he. He heard the same report, from the spies he had sent into Canaan to search out the land thirty nine years earlier, that everyone else had heard. From where did he acquire his knowledge? And how did he get it so right?

Honor Your Father and Mother

Help! My kids don't respect me. How to raise children that fulfill the commandment of honoring father and mother.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Va'etchanan (ואתחנן | I pleaded)

Torah: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26

Gospel: Luke 22:13-38

A special portion for Shabbat Nachamu is read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Nachamu (שבת נחמו | Sabbath of comforting)

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26

Your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the peoples

                     (Deuteronomy 4:6)

Av 12, 5777/August 4, 2017

"Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, as HaShem, my G-d, commanded me, to do so in the midst of the land to which you are coming to possess. And you shall keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the peoples, who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Only this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has G-d so near to it, as HaShem our G-d is at all times that we call upon Him? And which great nation is it that has just statutes and ordinances, as this entire Torah, which I set before you this day?" (Deuteronomy 4:5-8)

Like the Stars of Heaven

Though the hosts of Israel might seem innumerable as the stars, God knows each person individually. With God, no person is inconsequential. He knows each of us by name.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Devarim (דברים | Words)

Torah: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27

Gospel: Mark 14:1-16

A special portion for Shabbat Chazon is read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Chazon (שבת חזון | Vision)

Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27