By Rabbi Asher Vaknin
D’var Torah
‘Free Will’
Parashat Re’eh begins with the verse, “See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse,” and immediately introduces one of the central themes – free will.
On the level of peshat (the simple meaning), the Torah teaches that a person is required to choose between good and evil, blessing and curse, and that each individual is responsible for the consequences of his or her actions.
On the level of remez (hint), the word “see” implies that God grants human beings the ability to truly perceive the truth, and those who open their eyes discover the straight path.
On the level of derash (homiletics), Midrash Tanchuma teaches that God says to Israel: “I do not force you, I only present you with a choice,” like a father who places his child at a crossroads.
On the level of sod (mystical secret), the Arizal explains that every choice a person makes creates movements in the spiritual realms, strengthening either the side of holiness or, Heaven forbid, the other side. A story about the Vilna Gaon tells that when offered an easier path that compromised on spiritual truth, he refused, saying that even the smallest choice determines eternal essence.
‘The Holy Temple’
A second theme is “the place that God will choose” – the Beit Ha Mikdash, the Holy Temple.
On the peshat level, the Torah commands that offerings not be brought anywhere, but only in the place God chooses.
On the remez level, the word “Hamakom” (the Place) also hints at God Himself, often called “Ha Makom”, teaching us to seek God’s presence in every action.
On the derash level, the Midrash Rabbah says that God did not reveal the Temple’s location immediately, so that each tribe would yearn for it to be built in its portion.
On the sod level, the Zohar explains that the Temple is the center of the Shechinah, and that within the human heart one can build a “miniature sanctuary” through holy deeds.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe once taught that when a child places a coin in a charity box, it is as though he has placed a stone in the building of the Temple – every act of holiness builds God’s dwelling.
Kosher Food Laws
A third theme is the laws of kosher food. On the peshat level, the Torah prohibits eating non-kosher animals, birds, and fish, permitting only fish with fins and scales.
On the remez level, the sages noted that the word “kasher” has the same numerical value as the word “shalom” (peace), teaching that kosher food creates harmony within body and soul.
On the derash level, the Midrash says that forbidden foods dull the heart and cause spiritual insensitivity.
On the sod level, the Arizal taught that every food contains sparks of holiness; when one eats kosher food with the proper intention, these sparks are elevated, while forbidden food causes them to fall into captivity. showing that even eating can be an act of holiness when done for God’s sake.
Charity
A fourth theme is the mitzvah of charity: “You shall surely open your hand to your brother.”
On the peshat level, this is a straightforward command to give to the needy.
On the remez level, the double wording “open, you shall open” hints that not only the hand must open, but also the heart.
On the derash level, the Talmud teaches that charity is equal to all the mitzvot, for it saves both the giver and the receiver.
On the sod level, the Zohar teaches that when a person opens his hand below, channels of blessing open above. A story about the Chafetz Chaim relates that when someone said he had nothing to give, the rabbi answered: “Even a smile or a kind word is charity.” This shows that true giving is measured not only in money but also in spirit.
Festivals
A fifth theme is the festivals of Israel mentioned in the parasha: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
On the peshat level, the Torah commands to celebrate them as a remembrance of the Exodus and the giving of the Torah.
On the remez level, the commentators wrote that the three festivals correspond to the three Patriarchs – Passover to Abraham, Shavuot to Isaac, and Sukkot to Jacob.
On the derash level, Midrash Tanchuma teaches that the festivals were given so that Israel would gather together in unity.
On the sod level, these times are openings of special spiritual gates, where every Jew can draw divine influence according to his preparation. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov taught that even a small moment of joy on a festival is magnified greatly in the heavens, for the festivals are divine gifts to the soul.
* * *
Thus, Parashat Re’eh teaches us about free will, the Temple, kosher food, charity, and the festivals – each revealed through the four dimensions of Torah. When a person chooses good, builds a sanctuary within, sanctifies his eating, opens his heart in generosity, and celebrates the festivals with joy, he weaves a life that is infused with blessing, holiness, and sparks of eternity.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Asher Vaknin
BJCC Rabbi of the Bukharian Youth
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