From TorahVort.com
Re'eh
Shalom, the parshah starts off with Moshe explaining to the Jews that a Jew brings blessing upon himself by fulfilling a mitzvah and in turn if one does a transgression, a curse will be upon him self. This proves how important it is that we try the whole day and strive to only do good deeds, both by being nice and good to our fellow man and by learning and keeping to the Torah! We then learn what the Jews are to do if they witness an idolatrous city that is run by Jews. If the majority of the city has succumbed to idolatry and there is not even a single mezuzah scroll left, the city would be required to be burned down, if the Jews have no sign of repenting. However the sages state that there was never a case when an entire Jewish city was like this. After that the Torah reading reiterates how we are not allowed to add and subtract to the commandments, Moshe warns the Jews that they are to disregard false prophets. Hashem only brings the false prophets about to test the Jews faith in Hashem. A prophet that instructs the Jews to permanently cancel one of the mitzvot is put to death by the Beit Din, however if an established prophet temporarily suspends a mitzvah, he must be obeyed, we learn a case where this occurred in the book of Kings, when Eliyahu erected an alter outside the temple at a time when private alters were forbidden, in order to disprove claims of the prophets of the Ba’al. Then it states how it is prohibited to show excessive signs of mourning, such as marking the skin or making a bald spot. It was the common practice of the Emorim to show excessive grieving, firstly we may not copy the other nations and also by grieving to excessively we are showing that we are even more merciful than G-d. Moshe then reiterates the classifications of kosher and non-kosher food and the prohibition of cooking meat and milk. We learn about which animals are kosher also in parshah Shmini. The Torah then teaches that produce of the second tithe must be eaten in Jerusalem, and if the amount is too much to carry, it may be exchanged for money with which food is then bought in Jerusalem. In certain years this tithe is given to the poor to be specific on the third and the sixth year. The Torah then describes that the Bnei Yisrael are instructed to always be open-hearted and kind, and in the seventh year any loans must be discounted -- Hashem will bless the person in all ways. If an individual observes the laws and gives charity, Hashem blesses them with more back. The parshah then states that a Jewish bondsman is released after six years of work, and must be sent away with generous provisions. If he refuses to leave, his ear is pierced with an awl at the door post and he remains a bondsman until the Jubilee year (50th year). The Torah reading ends with a description of the three pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Succot. Where an individual is obligated to bring the tithe to Jerusalem so that him and his family can eat it there and will be in the presence of the Sanhedrin, Kohanim and many torah scholars in order to spiritually elevate the people bringing their offerings. I am dedicating this Dvar Torah in the memory of Dovid Yitzchak Ben Lev Rafael who passed away only a few days ago. May his soul be resting in a good place. Hope you all have a great week!
