From the Rabbi

   In last weeks Parsha Eikev, the Jewish people are commanded to hear, and listen to the commandments or Mitzvot. This week, in Parshat R’eh-ay, we are commanded to ”See” what is before us and always do the right thing. How fascinating, that HaShem wants us to use our senses to understand the world around us.

   For me, I totally understand this because it’s difficult to believe and have faith in something you can’t touch or hear. For most of us, we need proof to trust something or someone. What is the basis for our trust in HaShem and why should we perform the Mitzvot.

   The proof is in the pudding!! In other words, let’s look at life without the order, respect, and beauty that the Torah provides for us. We could basically be Hamas, treacherous, lying, and careless people who obviously don’t care what happens to their own people. For us the Jewish people, nothing is more important then how we care for each other and that we even care about our enemies.

   This weeks Haftarah, once again taken from the prophet Isaiah reminds us from 2500 years ago that the nations around us will not protect us and that we must protect ourselves and trust that HaShem is watching over us. Sometimes, it is difficult to see that in such a horrible world right now. Isaiah concludes that we must be the light of the world so that people will “see” the light.

   Maybe we’ll be privileged to see the light of Torah and look forward to a wonderful new year

Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Marty