In this piece by our member Rabbi Paul Bloom, we are invited to consider the quality of sight, its relationship to hearing and our ability to choose, and its role in our spiritual development as Jews.
"See, I place before you today a blessing
and a curse." (Devarim 11:26). Every
day we recite the words of the Shema:
"Hear, O Israel..."
Listening
is one of the Torah's central themes. Faith begins by hearing Hashem's word. Yet
Parashat Re'eh opens differently. Not with Shema—hear. But with Re'eh—see.
Why the sudden change? After all, at Har Sinai the Jewish people heard the
voice of Hashem but saw no image. Judaism rejected the pagan notion that God
could be represented by something visible. If Hashem cannot be seen, what
exactly is Moshe asking us to look at? The Torah's answer is profound. Hashem
Himself cannot be seen—but His presence can be recognized through the lives we
choose to live.
Seeing a Life of Blessing
Moshe
tells the nation:
"See, I place before you today a blessing and a curse."
Notice
that he does not merely describe blessing and curse. He says they can be seen.
A life dedicated to Torah leaves visible footprints. You can see it in a family
that honors parents. You can see it in communities built upon kindness and
charity. You can see it in justice that protects the weak. You can see it in
marriages strengthened by commitment, in children raised with purpose, and in
lives filled with meaning. The Torah is inviting us to observe the results.
Leadership Begins with Example
The
Ba'al HaTurim offers a beautiful insight. Moshe is saying, in effect: "Look
at me." The greatest leaders do not merely teach—they model. Gideon used
exactly this approach before battling Midian. Vastly outnumbered, he instructed
his soldiers:
"Watch me, and do what I do." (Shofetim 7:17)
Those
four words define authentic Jewish leadership. Parents influence children more
through their actions than their lectures. Teachers educate by personal
example. Communities rise because individuals quietly live the values they hope
others will embrace. The Torah reminds us that every Jew is someone's role
model.
Moshe Knew Both Worlds
As
Kohelet concludes after exploring every worldly pleasure:
"The end of the matter, when all has been heard: Fear God and keep
His commandments, for this is the whole purpose of man." (Kohelet 12:13)
The Freedom to Choose
The
Rambam, in Hilchot Teshuvah (Chapter 5), identifies this opening verse
as one of the Torah's clearest declarations of human free will. Hashem gives us
the dignity of choice. This idea distinguished Judaism from many philosophies
of the ancient world, and it remains revolutionary today. Modern society often
explains human behavior through genetics, psychology, economics, or
environment. Judaism recognizes the influence of these forces but insists they
never eliminate personal responsibility. Every person possesses the ability to
choose. Blessing is not imposed. Neither is curse. Hashem places both before us
and lovingly says:
"Choose."
As
Moshe later declares:
"I have placed before you life and death, blessing and curse.
Therefore choose life." (Devarim 30:19)
Seeing Eretz Yisrael
There
is another remarkable dimension to Moshe's opening command. The Ramban teaches
that dwelling in Eretz Yisrael is itself a mitzvah, one that enables the Jewish
people to live the Torah in its fullest expression. This idea is reflected
throughout Parashat Re'eh. No other parashah emphasizes so repeatedly "the
place that Hashem will choose." Again and again the Torah directs
our attention toward the future spiritual center of Jewish life—Yerushalayim. The
parashah concludes with the mitzvah of Aliyah l'Regel, ascending to Jerusalem
on the three pilgrimage festivals. There, the Jewish people would literally see
holiness. They would see the Beit HaMikdash. The Kohanim performing the
Avodah.The Menorah shining. They would hear the songs of the Levi'im. They
would experience the Shechinah in a way unlike anywhere else on earth. The
opening "Re'eh" reaches its fulfillment in Jerusalem.
Rav Hirsch: Seeing Beyond the Surface
Rav
Samson Raphael Hirsch explains that Torah demands more than physical sight. It
asks us to develop moral vision. Anyone can observe events. The Torah teaches
us to recognize their meaning. Two people can witness the same history. One
sees politics. The other sees Hashgachah. One sees coincidence. The other sees
Divine Providence. The challenge of Re'eh is to cultivate eyes that perceive
Hashem's hand within history.
A Message for Our Generation
Perhaps
no generation since the destruction of the Second Temple has witnessed what
ours has. After nearly two thousand years of exile, millions of Jews have
returned home. The Hebrew language has been reborn. Jerusalem is once again the
heart of Jewish life. The Land has flourished exactly as the prophets foretold.
These are not merely historical events. They are invitations to see. To
recognize Hashem's faithfulness unfolding before our eyes.
The
Sifrei teaches that every generation must view the Torah as if it were given
today. Moshe therefore says not only "See," but "See...today."
Every day presents the same choice. Will we see the world through the lens
of convenience—or through the lens of covenant? Will we pursue comfort alone—or
purpose?
Will
we recognize that the greatest blessing is not simply living well, but living a
life connected to Hashem, His Torah, His people, and His Land? That is the
enduring challenge of Parashat Re'eh.
May Hashem open our eyes to recognize His blessings, strengthen our commitment to His Torah, and enable us to witness the complete redemption, when all of Israel will once again ascend to Yerushalayim in joy and behold the beauty of His Presence restored in Zion.
