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Re'eh (2025)

Parshat Re’eh

Dvar Torah
“You are children to Hashem your G-d, you shall not gash yourselves or shave the front of your heads because of the dead” (Deu. 14:1). Out of all the examples to illustrate the kinship between G-d and his people, it’s interesting that the Torah uses the commandment not to inflict self-harm in mourning (unlike the practice in pagan cults) and not more celebratory Mitzvahs like the Festivals or intimate ones like prayer. Perhaps though, the whirlwind of loss is the perfect example. In the words of King David (Psalms 30:10), “Though my father and mother have left me, Hashem will take me in”. G-d is always there for us like a father, even when one’s parents have passed. A child of G-d is never truly alone, and even in the depths of mourning self-harm is not justified.
Furthermore, the implication of being children of Hashem, is that we are all brothers and sisters to each other. Like Hashem is always there for us, we must always there for each other.
Indeed, a Jew is never alone – especially in times of crisis. We’ve hard coded this Mitzvah into our DNA and have repeatedly taken it up with honor and pride throughout the millennia – perhaps in part justifying the very next verse in the Parsha “…and you Hashem has chosen to be a treasured nation from all the nations of the world” (Deu. 14:2)

Trivia
This Shabbat the upcoming Rosh Chodesh of Ellul will be announced (“Shabbat Mevarchin”), heralding in the new month starting on Sun/Mon. Traditionally, Ellul is the time of year when we shift gears to the High Holidays and prepare for the New Year. Among other customs, the early morning selichot prayers are commenced with Sephardim beginning this Tuesday and Ashkenazim starting on Sep 14th after Shabbat

Shabbat in/out times
Yerushalayim 18:39/19:52
Tel-Aviv 18:55/19:54
Stockholm 19:59/21:26
Paris 20:34/21:42
NYC 19:25/20:25
Calgary 20:24/21:34
Panama City 18:58/19:52

Shabbat Shalom!

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