Torah.org Home Subscribe Services Support Us
 
Print Version

Email this article to a friend

Summary of The Weekly Torah Reading:

Parshas Re'eh

Note: The Shabbos Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person "goes up" to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.


1st and 2nd Aliyot: Moshe instructs the Chosen People to eradicate any remnant of idolatry and strengthen all aspects of service to G-d. All offerings must be brought to the "Chosen" place, the Bais Hamikdash, so that worship is an act of humility and selflessness, rather than a self-indulging "need". An even greater danger to our uniqueness is the innate desire to compromise and assimilate Torah values with other forms of worship. (the Chanukah bush syndrome)

3rd and 4th Aliyot: Moshe forewarned the Jews against incorporating any pagan practices, and against the false prophet, idolatrous missionaries, and the Ir Hanidachas - the Apostate City. These must be destroyed along with their material belongings. When using the world in accordance with the wishes of the Creator, we declare the existence of a Creator who has a divine purpose for creating the material world. When we misuse the physical in the service of "gods who are not G-d", we negate the Creator's purpose for creating the universe. Therefore, they and all their belongings must be destroyed.

5th, 6th, and 7th Aliyot: The remainder of the Parsha, details those Mitzvos that set us apart from all other nations: Kashrus; Maasros - Tithes; the Shmitah - sabbatical year; the laws regarding lending money; the Eved Ivri - a Jew who is a slave; the consecration of the first born animal, and a review of the main Yomim Tovim - holidays: Pesach, Shavouth, and Succoth.

Rav S.R. Hirsch points out that Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are not reviewed in Sefer Divarim because there were no changes in the practices of those Yomim Tovim when living in the desert or living in Eretz Yisroel. (Intro. to Divarim)


Parsha Summary by Rabbi Aron Tendler
Please Support TORAH.ORG
Print Version       Email this article to a friend

 

ARTICLES ON CHAYEI SARAH:

View Complete List

The Importance of Reflection
Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky - 5763

Setting A Good Example
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch - 5765

Stranger or Citizen
Rabbi Aron Tendler - 5758

The Everything Torah Book

Drawing Closer To The Life of Sara
Rabbi Label Lam - 5760

The Role of Beauty
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5766

The Water Test
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5762

Email Sponsorship

Spouse Hunting - Corralling a Kallah
Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann - 5763

Wholesome Sarah
Shlomo Katz - 5767

It's All About Redemption Part V
Rabbi Aron Tendler - 5766

ArtScroll

Life After Death
Rabbi Pinchas Winston - 5766

Seeking the Same
Rabbi Aron Tendler - 5761

The Completion of Life
Rabbi Naftali Reich - 5767

It's the Effort that Counts
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5761

Too Far East
Rabbi Pinchas Winston - 5767

FREE LAND *(40,000 silver coins, service charge)
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5755

Thanks, But No Thanks
Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann - 5761


Learning Events and Programs

Project Genesis

Torah.org Home


Torah Portion

Jewish Law

Ethics

Texts

Learn the Basics

Seasons

Features

TORAHAUDIO

Ask The Rabbi

Knowledge Base

Discussion Forum




Help

About Us

Contact Us


Enable popup menus


Download to my HandHeld


Torah.org Home
Torah.org HomeCapalon.com Copyright Information