The Torah portion of Re’eh customarily comes in close proximity to Rosh Chodesh Elul, when the Jewish people begin to prepare for Rosh HaShanah which comes a month later, followed by the ten days of repentance. In accordance with the dictum that we should “live with the times,” we would expect that the portions beginning with Re’eh and continuing till Rosh HaShanah would contain explicit or implied allusions to the approaching days of Awe and the process of introspection and spiritual work fitting for this period of time. And sure enough, this is the case, as seen clearly in the first verse of each of the portions.
Even the preceding portion alludes to the upcoming days of repentance in its first verse: “And it shall come to pass (ekev) if you listen to these judgments and keep and do them…” (Deuteronomy 7:12). The word (ekev) is also the Hebrew root for “heel” and “footsteps.” If one listens carefully and is in tune with the turning of the seasons and the inner dimension of the Jewish cycle of the year he or she will already hear faintly in the distance the “footsteps” of the new year.
The portion of Re’eh begins: “See – I put before you this day a blessing and a curse. A blessing if you listen to the commandments of your God, which I command you this day; and a curse if you do not listen to the commandments of your God…” (Deuteronomy 11:26). This is an invitation to each individual to open their eyes and see the reality of the choices life gives us and the responsibility inherent in our choices. As we begin the month of preparation for the Days of Awe we must do so with open eyes and full clarity at what is at stake.
The next portion is Shoftim which begins: “Judges and officers you shall appoint in all your gates…” (Deuteronomy 16:18). Although this injunction applies to society at large, Chassidic thought relates it as well to each individual. As this time of year when introspection is called for, the Torah is telling us that we need to begin to judge our own thoughts, speech and actions and to appoint inner officers to enforce discipline and practical change where it is needed. The judge in a personal sense is the force that recognizes truth and evaluates how we can change to better ourselves, while the officers are the enforcers of the discipline and the fortitude necessary to truly improve ourselves.
In order to accomplish change we need to be ready to go to “war” to confront those inner forces preventing us from spiritual advancement. No fundamental changes occur easily and it is only with great determination that we can accomplish our personal goals. Therefore the next portion Ki Teze opens: “When you go forth in war against your enemy and God, your God, has delivered them into your hands…” When we make a real effort to confront our enemy, our evil inclination, then God will come to our aid.
The Torah continues by describing a situation where among the enemies taken captive is a beautiful woman for whom one has a desire. It is then explained how to treat this situation and how one can successfully follow ones instinct in a holy way, and the possible consequences if not handled in the purest of ways. When we break the spell of complacency and confront our inner shortcomings there is always the possibility of either success or failure. War is war, and war is not fun and games. We must be aware and careful when capturing our enemies to be prepared to deal with the issues that come up in a sincere and realistic manner. When we do so in the name of true rectification, Divine assistance will be forth coming.
Even though the process of teshuva, repentance, we are describing is serious spiritual work, Chassidut reminds us to not lose the basic sense of joy that should accompany all service of God. In addition, we should not lose sight of where the process is taking us and our ultimate goals. The next portion Ki Tavo opens: “And it will be (v’haya) when you come into the land which God, your God, gives you for an inheritance…(Deuteronomy 26:1). Our sages teach that when a portion, book or matter begins with the word v’haya, it is a code word for joy. The greatest joy for the Jewish people is to find their inheritance in the promised land. Coming into the land, when relating to an individual, symbolizes the great joy in accomplishing our goals, especially when they are pure and holy endeavors. Chassidut teaches that we need to approach Rosh HaShanah and the ten days of repentance with joy as well as awe.
The Shabbat before Rosh HaShanah, when the whole world stands in judgment before God, is always the portion of Nitzavim which begins: “You are standing today, all of you, before God…” (Deuteronomy 29:9). To stand before God on Rosh HaShanah with a whole heart and clear conscience entails using the month of Elul to its maximum. The portions leading up to the Days of Awe give us clear instruction as to how to use these days in the best way and how to go about the essential spiritual work of the season. To do so is to fulfill the dictum of “living with the times” in its truest sense.
