Re'eh - Your Unique Path

Prepare for the High Holidays by reflecting on your life's vision and direction.

This week we celebrate Josh Leifer's aufruf and his upcoming wedding to Shaindy Ort. The message of this week's parsha, Re’eh, is especially fitting for the upcoming union of Shaindy and Josh. As we have mentioned in the past, the preceding parshiot emphasized hearing, with, for example, the first two paragraphs of the Shema: "שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל" “Hear O Israel,” and "ןהָיָ֥ה אִם־שָׁמֹ֖עַ תִּשְׁמַ֥עו" “And if you will listen.” In contrast, this parsha shifts our focus to sight, as evident from its opening declaration, "Re'eh," which translates to "See!" or “Look!”

The Rambam in Hilchot Teshuva brings the first pasuk from our parsha as a source for the fundamental principle that God created human beings with free will:

וְדָבָר זֶה עִקָּר גָּדוֹל הוּא וְהוּא עַמּוּד הַתּוֹרָה וְהַמִּצְוָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ל טו) "רְאֵה נָתַתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ הַיּוֹם אֶת הַחַיִּים". וּכְתִיב (דברים יא כו) "רְאֵה אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן לִפְנֵיכֶם הַיּוֹם". כְּלוֹמַר שֶׁהָרְשׁוּת בְּיֶדְכֶם

This principle is a fundamental concept and a pillar [on which rests the totality] of the Torah and mitzvot as [Deuteronomy 30:15] states: "Behold, I have set before you today life [and good, death and evil]." Similarly, [Deuteronomy 11:26] states, "Behold, I have set before you today [the blessing and the curse]," implying that the choice is in your hands. [Mishneh Torah, Repentance 5]

Intriguingly, he asserts that God prefers us to choose unwisely, even follow a path of evil, rather than simply defer to what He would want without choice.

Why would God create us with this intention? I think we can learn the answer from the Torah narrative in Bereisheet, where we first meet Avraham (then Avram) and his brothers, Haran and Nachor. The Midrash tells the story of the literal trial by fire imposed by King Nimrod, who threatened to throw Avraham into a furnace to force him to renounce his belief in God and pledge his allegiance to idol worship. Avraham refused, and as we know, he survived the furnace. In contrast, Nachor embraced idol worship, but Haran, sitting on the fence, said he’d wait to see if Avraham survived. Haran’s equivocation did not save him, and he perished in the furnace.

Why did Nachor, who chose idol worship, survive (and thrive), while Haran died? The Sages seem to teach us that Haran’s fatal mistake was his refusal to take a stand and make a choice. It seems that Nachor deliberately chose the path of idol worship, but was decisive and active about his choice, unlike most of their society which merely went along with everyone else. It’s noteworthy that Avraham sent Eliezer to Nachor’s family to find a bride for Yitzchak, who turned out to be Nachor’s granddaughter Rebecca. Yitzchak, in turn, sent Yaakov to Nachor’s family, where he married both Leah and Rachel, Nachor’s great-granddaughters. It might seem surprising that Avraham would want his family to marry descendants of Nachor, an idol worshipper. But their story suggests that Avraham valued Nachor’s willingness to take a stand and make a choice—a virtue in itself.

Drawing inspiration from the verse at the outset of our parsha:

הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָֽנֹכִ֛י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם

The path I command you today [Deuteronomy 11;28]

Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that when Moses proclaims, “Re’eh Anochi Notein lifneichem hayom bracha u’klala,” "See! I place before you a blessing and a curse," he conveys the concept of one path that is blessed and another that is cursed. This underscores that blessings and curses are not random occurrences; instead, they arise from the consequences of the deliberate life path we choose.

Similarly, the Rambam in Hilchot Teshuva (ibid.) emphasizes that this verse exhorts us to consciously select and envision a chosen distinct life path as the foundation of our personal journey. This enriched perspective expands our understanding of teshuva, embracing a comprehensive outlook that goes far beyond repentance for individual actions. The concept of "Re'eh" becomes integral in charting an enduring path, demanding a holistic view of life.

As the Sages teach us:

מַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: מִן הַתּוֹרָה וּמִן הַנְּבִיאִים וּמִן הַכְּתוּבִים – בַּדֶּרֶךְ שֶׁאָדָם רוֹצֶה לֵילֵךְ בָּהּ – מוֹלִיכִין אוֹתוֹ

Rav Huna says that Rabbi Elazar says: From the Torah, from the Prophets, and from the Writings one learns that along the path a person wishes to proceed, one leads and assists him. [Makkot 10B]

God does not view our actions in isolation; He sees our broader vision, our derech, our path and helps us continue down the path we've chosen, whether for better or worse. Bilaam and Pharaoh exemplified this, as God recognized their determined intent to pursue evil and allowed them to stay aligned with their deepest desires. In contrast, our forefathers chose a path of holiness, and in their case, the Gemara tells us in Shabbat 104b, "haba l’taher, mesayin oto" – “those who strive for purity are assisted by God in that endeavor.”

I believe Parshat Re’eh is read at this time of year because it marks the period of preparation for Teshuva when we evaluate our vision and our life path. And I can’t imagine any couple more attentive than Shaindy and Josh to the task of examining every step in the context of the overall picture, ensuring they are on the right long-term path. While many might find such vigilance exhausting year-round, it serves as an inspiring example for the demanding effort we must all make during this time of Teshuva as we prepare for the Yamim Noraim, the upcoming High Holidays.

Shaindy and Josh are a special couple because they exemplify this determination to develop convictions based on their own search for truth and the expression of their true selves. Their unique approach to life, where they carefully consider each step within the context of the broader picture, serves as an inspiring example for all of us.

May their approach to life bring them many blessings and accomplishments that we’ll undoubtedly be extremely proud of. Mazal tov, and Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Eliezer Hirsch

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