Parshat Re'eh
August 22nd-23rd, 2003
25 Av, 5763

"See, I present before you today a blessing [b’racha] and a curse [k’lala]. The blessing: that you hearken to the commandments of Hashem, your G-d, that I command you today. And the curse: if you do not hearken to the commandments of Hashem, your G-d, and you stray from the path that I command you today…" (11, 26-28; Artscroll translation)

These are the opening words of the Torah portion, as Moshe continues his oration before the assembled Jewish people prior to his death and their entrance into the Land of Israel.

Two different paths in life--and two opposing outcomes--are presented before them with no ambiguity whatsoever. (The Torah will employ similarly stark language, and existential alternatives, in the portion of Netzavim--which is read a few weeks from now on the Shabbos prior to Rosh Hashanah.) The first word, "Re’eh," "SEE," is in the singular form (unlike the rest of the passage), for each individual is urged to meditate on the clear and momentous choice before him. You can’t blend into the crowd…

On one side, there is a life of dedication to the Torah in study and practice--actualizing one’s individual spiritual potential and our communal mission as a people. The inevitable result of such a path: blessing, b’racha--"the condition of unhindered progressive development, progressive prosperity" (S. R. Hirsch, Commentary on the Torah). On the other side, there is disregard of G-d’s directives, an abrogation of our responsibility as a people (for the sake of straying after alternative lifestyles, as it were). The result: curse, k’lala in Hebrew--related to the root, kal, which means, "light" (not heavy). As Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch beautifully explains, the word, k’lala, therefore, connotes the "condition of becoming empty, devoid of self-substance, becoming shallow, worthless (completely without weight)."

Here’s one way of paraphrasing Moshe’s words. "You can either keep the Torah, and experience a rich life of meaning and progressive growth as people--i.e., spiritual fullness. Or you can choose to abandon the Torah, and you will then live disconnected from the Source of truth and meaning in existence--i.e, spiritual emptiness (regardless of how many physical pleasures and comforts you happen to enjoy)."

Let’s try to consider--better, to really see (re’eh!)--the truth being conveyed here. A Torah way of life is rich and meaningful, and it has been presented before us ready-made. Rather than search for meaning (or joy) in far-flung places, we can find it waiting for us in every word of Torah we study and every mitzvah we perform. (As Moshe memorably reminds us in Netzavim, the Torah is not distant, but rather, "very near to you—in your mouth and your heart—to perform it.") Every single mitzvah is a chibur (connection) to the Almighty, a conduit through which G-d illuminates our neshama (soul) and allows us to come closer to Him. Every single mitzvah elevates and refines us as human beings, apart from the cosmic spiritual "rectifications" it effects throughout G-d’s creation (spoken about at length in the Jewish mystical tradition).

Every mitzvah is a diamond (with an infinity of carats), and we should see our lives in this world as being a blessed opportunity to enrich and beautify ourselves--body and soul--with as many diamonds as we can.

Rabbi Shimon (in Ethics of the Fathers) tells us that the world stands on three pillars: Torah study, service of G-d (especially prayer) and doing kindness for others. In a sense, this sums up the mitzvos of the Torah, in all their multiplicity and scope. Keeping the commandments of the Torah upholds and sustains the world--for we are strengthening the pillars on which it stands!

Not that other pursuits in life are inherently worthless. But if they are pursued for their own sake--i.e., cut off from the larger, overriding purpose of getting closer to G-d, and serving Him--then they ultimately lead us nowhere. (Floating in space…spiritual weightlessness!) In fact, what the Torah really wants is for us to connect everything in life to that overriding purpose, and in that way, we make everything we do into a mitzvah! "In all your ways, know Him," writes King Solomon (Proverbs). Meaning that we should have G-d in mind in all our ways (eating, sleeping, exercising, relaxing)…and thereby transform those activities into holy acts!

Note that this absolutely does NOT mean we may not take physical pleasure in our eating (and other daily activities), as we try to "elevate" them. It just means that our overriding purpose in all we do should be to serve G-d, and that we should be careful not to let the (permitted) physical pleasures that G-d WANTS US to enjoy become the center of our lives. To take pleasure in what G-d has given us (and to thank Him) is, in fact, an obligation in Judaism!

Hirsch notes that Moshe does not say that the blessing will come to us, "if we keep the commandments," as a result of the performance. Rather, the Torah says: "the blessing: that you hearken to the commandments." Performing the mitzvah in and of itself is the blessing! Experiencing the connection to G-d that each mitzvah represents is itself the blessing! As he puts it:

"The mental and moral act which is accomplished every time we faithfully
obey the Torah is itself a blessed progress, a step forward of our whole
being, and with every mitzvah-act we bless ourselves." (Hirsch, Comm. to Deuteronomy: p. 195)

It sounds bizarre, but there is really no better blessing you can give someone else…than to keep the Torah’s commandments more faithfully! For they are the source, and wellspring, of blessing! Of course, we should still wish each other--and pray for--the blessings of good health, a steady livelihood, etc., because these ultimately enable us to keep the Torah better. This, in fact, is how Maimonidies explains the physical blessings the Torah promises for performance of the commandments (even though the essential reward, the Talmud tells us, is reserved for the next world). They are conditions for further spiritual growth that G-d grants us so we can achieve our spiritual potential. (In other words, a happy, healthy and well-fed diamond collector is the most productive diamond collector!) But the main blessing is the Torah itself!

Moshe has put it all in perspective. On the one side: growth and meaning. On the other side--gosh, it’s kind of frightening--there’s k’lala. That is, nothing at all.

May we all see that keeping the Torah’s commandments more faithfully is our path to blessing…and may Hashem give us the strength, good health and ability to spend long days and years collecting diamonds.

GOOD SHABBOS.

My e-mail address is yosefe@comcast.net

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Rabbi Yosef Edelstein, Savannah Kollel. Phone: 912-351-0469; fax: 354-9923