Re'eh

The following Sicha illustrates in a striking way an important truth about the nature of Chassidic thought. Chassidut is not simply one amongst many of the branches of Jewish thinking. It is not separate from or merely supplementary to the “revealed” face...

This week’s Torah reading begins: “Today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse: The blessing that you heed the commandments of G-d and the curse if you do not heed the commandments.” Man is given free choice. G-d does not force him to accept the ...

“Once a person has seen [a crime] committed, he can never find justification for the perpetrator.”

Introduction Our Sages Yoma 23a. interpret the verse, Shoftim “Those who love Him will be as the sun going forth in its might,” as referring to “those who [remain] joyous [while experiencing] suffering.” What is the source of their joy? Their connection t...

Introduction Rambam writes: Although all of the statutes of the Torah are decrees…, it is fit to meditate upon them and to provide a reason wherever it is possible…. All of these ordinances are [intended] to… improve one’s character. Similarly, most of th...

Introduction This week’s Torah reading contains the commandment for the Jews to build the Beis HaMikdash when they settle in Eretz Yisrael. In the sichah to follow, the Rebbe develops one of his frequent themes, comparing the Beis HaMikdash and the Mishka...

The fourth section of the Book of Deuteronomy continues Moses’ second farewell address to the Jewish people. Moses begins by urging the people to see (Re’eih, in Hebrew) that G-d has given them the choice between a life of blessings or one of curses; the ...

The commandmentSee Rambam, Sefer HaMitzvos , positive command 195; Chinuch , Mitzvah 478, 479. to give tzedakah (charity) is included in the Torah portion of Re’eh, where the verse states:Devarim 15:7ff. “Should there be amongst you a pauper… do not harde...

In the Torah portion of Re’eh , the Beis HaMikdash (the Holy Temple) is referred toDevarim 12:11. as “the site that G-d will choose for His name to rest there.” In describing the Beis HaMikdash , the Rambam notesHilchos Beis HaBechirah 6:1-4. that it was ...

The Torah portion Re’eh begins by stating:Devarim 11:26-28. “See, I give you today [both] a blessing and a curse. The blessing [will come] if you obey the commandments… The curse [will come] if you disobey the commandments….” The word “see” indicates that...