AUGUST 21, 1998 VOL 1, ISSUE 40 29 AV 5758

Chabad of Northern Beverly Hills, 409 Foothill Road . Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Rabbi Yosef Shusterman 310/271-9063

PARSHAT RE'EH SUMMARY: Moshe presents to the nation the blessing of a spiritually oriented life, and the curse of becoming disconnected from Hashem. When the nation enters Eretz Yisrael they must burn down any trees that had been used for idol-worship, and destroy all idolatrous statues. Hashem will choose only one place where the Divine Presence will dwell. Offerings may be brought only there; not to a private altar. Moshe repeatedly warns against eating animal blood. In the desert, all meat was slaughtered in the Mishkan, but in Eretz Yisrael meat may be shechted anywhere. Moshe lists the categories of food that may only be eaten in Jerusalem. He warns the nation against copying ways of the other nations. Since the Torah is complete and perfect, nothing may be added or subtracted from it. If a "prophet" tells the people to permanently abandon a Torah law or indulge in idol worship, he is to be put to death. One who entices others to worship idols is to be put to death. A city of idolatry must be razed. It is prohibited to show excessive signs of mourning, such as marking the skin or making a bald spot. Moshe reiterates the classifications of kosher and non-kosher food and the prohibition of cooking meat and milk. Produce of the second tithe must be eaten in Jerusalem, and if the amount is too large to carry, it may be exchanged for money with which food is bought in Jerusalem. In certain years this tithe is given to the poor. Bnei Yisrael are instructed to always be open-hearted, and in the seventh year any loans must be discounted - Hashem will bless the person in all ways. A Jewish bondsman is released after six years, and must be sent away with generous provisions. If he refuses to leave, his ear is pierced with an awl at the door post, and he remains a bondsman until the Jubilee year. The Parsha ends with a description of the three pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuos and Succos. (From: Ohr Somayach web site)

"Everything that I command you, you shall observe to do it: do not add to it, and do not subtract from it."(13:1) One who believes in that the entire Torah is from G-d except for a single verse, or even a single nuance on interpretation, denies the entire Torah. -Talmud, Sanhedrin 99a

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok of Lubavitch was famed for both his selfless devotion to the needs of every Jew and for his steadfast stand on the integrity of the Torah. The Rebbe maintained that to deal with the growing danger of assimilation and Jewish rootlessness by compromising on the Torah's principles will only serve to repel those whom one is seeking to "accommodate". Deep down, said the Rebbe, the Jew wants the truth; offer him a watered-down quasi-truth and you will drive him even further away from his identity.

Once, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok was asked: "True, under ideal conditions, one wants his water to be pure. But when a fire rages, is this the time to be particular? The fire must be put out by any and all means at one's disposal, including polluted or tainted water. The current crisis of identity among the Jewish people is threatening our very existence. Surely it is a time to be more flexible and accommodating."

Replied the Rebbe: "What you say is true, so long as one battles fire with water. But if one rushes to pour any liquid on the flames, without realizing that this bucket contains say, benzene instead of water, the result is the exact opposite of what one is seeking to accomplish." (From: Once Upon a Chassid by Yanki Tauber)

"And the Ra'ah and the Ayah, and the Dayah according to its kind." (14:13) QUESTION: Rashi explains that these are not three different birds, but one bird with three different names. What is the significance of these three names? ANSWER: The word "Ra'ah" connotes eyesight. We are told that the Ra'ah "can stand in Babylon (which is a valley) and see a carcass in the Land of Israel" (chulin 63b). This bird is unclean because it uses its excellent vision to view things negatively and find fault.

Many have keen vision in detecting the faults of others, but fail to see their

own foibles and shortcomings. A housewife once complained to her maid that the house was not cleaned and dusted properly. The maid was flushed with amazement, for all looked immaculate. Finally, she turned to the housewife and said, "Madam, I think the dust you see in on your own glasses." The woman removed her glasses and, sure enough, the lenses were covered with dust.

The second name for the bird is "Ayah," which means "where." This bird is very clever in its ability to evade capture, jumping from one hideout to another. The hunter finds himself muttering, "Ayah - where is it, and how can it be taken?" There are countless people adept at this game of escape. When their help is urgently needed in a worthwhile community project or drive, they cannot be located. This slippery "bird" refuses to join a communal endeavor lest his whereabouts become known to other institutions. Even when they express interest in helping the minyan or participating in a shiur, they do not appear and people wonder "Ayah- where are they?" The Torah condemns the policy of evasion and escape and calls it "unclean."

"Dayah" is the third name. Its croak sounds like the word "dayah" - "enough," the cry of those who feel they have given more than necessary. They cry "Dayah! There are far too many appeals, functions, and campaigns these days. Enough!"

"Purity" for a Jew lies in 1) seeing things with a "good eye," 2) being involved in all communal Torah endeavors and activities, and 3) always giving with a grateful and generous heart. (From: VeDibarta Bam by Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky)

MONTH OF ELUL

The days of Elul are called the days of "Divine forgivenss and kindness". This is embodied in the word Elul. It is written in the Song of Songs (6:3) Ani l'dodi v'dodi li. . . (I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me. . .). The acrostic of the first letters of this phrase spells Elul. The last letters of the words of the phrase are all "Yud". The numerical value of "Yud" is 10. 4x10=40, the number of days that Moshe spent on Mt. Sinai the when he received the second set of the Ten Commandments. He went up on Rosh Chodesh Elul, as Hashem pardoned the people for the event of the Golden Calf. When he came down forty days later it was Yom Kippur, the day of ultimate expression of the reunification of Hashem and His people. These days of Elul are therefore the beginning of a special time of favor and conciliation.

The Baal ShemTov called the days of Elul the days when the King is in the field. He explained with a parable. Normally, in order to gain an audience with the King, one must go through a lengthy procedure. He must travel to the capitol city, arrange an appointment, and then get permission to enter the palace. Even when permission is granted is may be days or weeks before he is finally allowed to enter. When he does finally get to see the King, the audience is likely to be short and very formal. The citizen, not used to the royal surroundings doubtlessly feels out of place, and maybe even regrets his decision to see the King. From his great fear and uneasiness, he may forget to put his request before the King.

Once a year, the King leaves his capitol to visit the various regions of his Kingdom. Now a King can't just enter a city unannounced. When he reaches the outskirts of the city he is to visit, his entourage sets up a camp while a special delegation goes ahead to the city to make preparations. for the King's visit. In the meantime, the King is in the field; relaxed and enjoying the early fall weather. He doesn't stand on the same formality that he does when in the palace. The common folk are allowed to come out to greet the King and receive his blessing. During Chodesh Elul, the King is in the field and he is easily accessible. We need only make the effort to go out and greet Him. (From: Nishmas Chaim web site)

Many seek the favor of a ruler but a man's judgement comes from Hashem.

-King Solomon

When the Tzemach Tzedek was nine years old, the Alter Rebbe said to him: I received from my Rebbe ( the Maggid) who received from his Rebbe (the Baal Shem Tov) in the name of his well-known Rebbe that from the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur we are to say three chapters of Tehillim everyday. Then on Yom Kippur, thirty-six: Nine bebore Kol Nidre, nine before sleeping, nine after Musaf, and nine after Neila. Whoever did not start on the second day of rosh Chodesh is to start with the Tehillim of the particular day on which he realizes his omission, and complete the missing Tehillim later. (From Rebbe's Hayom Yom,elul 1).