Next Level Relationship(s)? Re’eh

while there are the ordinary relationships of parent-child, husband-wife, sibling-sibling, friend and neighbor, there are also the extraordinary. the torah portion re’eh speaks of two unique relationships involving spirituality. while many people have relationships with god, what is it? further, people form relationships with religious leaders, spiritual figures and influencers.

moses, in re-eh, cautions on influencer relationships. he declares that “if there will arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of a dream, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder of which he spoke to you happens, [and he] says, “let us go after other gods which you have not known, and let us worship them,” you shall not heed the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of a dream; for the lord, your god, is testing you, to know whether you really love the lord, your god, with all your heart and with all your soul.”

the caution’s meaning should appreciate the statement which preceded it: “everything i command you that you shall be careful to do it. you shall neither add to it, nor subtract from it.”

many people- religious leaders and scholars- admittedly dismiss scripture. frequently, they use shatnez, the prohibition from mixing wool and linen in garments, to dismiss [torah] commandments that are adjacent to it. they often claim that since this is outdated every other provision is subject to annulment. this argument, however, disregards the fact that there are those who are committed to adhering to the 613 commandments and still practice shatnez. thus, these individuals’ dismissiveness of leviticus’ holiness code is founded upon an inaccurate premise.

even rabbis, in their attempt to follow rabbinic law- talmud- run into controversy. conservative judaism recently made a ruling the vegetarian and vegan restaurants did not require kosher supervision. personally, i can think of a number of variables that can make an unsupervised vegetarian or vegan restaurant not kosher.

in re’eh, one’s relationship with god is also described: “you shall follow the lord, your god, fear him, keep his commandments, heed his voice, worship him, and cleave to him.” the last part of the phrase is familiar. in genesis, another relationship used similar words: “therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” thus, this section offers an interesting starting point for an individual to define their their special relationship with the master of the universe.

be well!!

if you enjoyed this post, please “like”

if you would like to read more posts, click here

if you find this post meaningful, please share