Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah #47: Re’eh (See) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 11:26-16:17
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 54:11-55:5
B’rit Chadashah: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
One of the most common questions concerning this parashah relates to chapter 11:29-30: “When Adonai your G-d brings you into the land you are entering in order to take possession of it, you are to put the blessing on Mount G’rizim and the curse on Mount ‘Eival. Both are wet of the Yarden, in the direction of the sunset, in the land of the Kena’ani living in the ‘Aravah across from Gilgal, near the pistachio trees of Moreh.’ What is significant about these two mountains and the specific mention of the pistachio trees?
According to Ramban, Mount G’rizim is to the south and Mount ‘Eival is to the north, which is true based on the fact that he moved to Israel at the end of his life. In biblical geography, the north is often identified with evil (Jer. 1:14).
In the Tanach directions are described relative to the east, making south the right and north the left with the right being considered “good” and the left as “evil (Ecc.10:2).
There is another possibility why G-d chose these two mountains. When an standing in the valley between the two mountains, looking toward Mount G’rizim one is facing Jerusalem, while looking at Mount ‘Eival places one in a position facing away from Jerusalem. Perhaps a deeper meaning or Sod “secret”(“mystery”) or the esoteric meaning as given through inspiration or revelation using the exegetic method of PaRDeS to interpret Jewish texts is that when we focus on Jerusalem and the Holy Temple where YHVH dwelt in biblical times and will return in the future, we will be blessed. However, if we turn our backs on Jerusalem and YHVH/Yahshua, we will receive the curse.
Adonai makes it clear in the verse preceding verses 29-30 what is required to receive the blessing “ See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse-the blessing, if you listen to the mitzvot (commands) of Adonai your G-d that I am giving you today;…” Likewise, Adonai defines what will happen to those who reject His commands and turns aside from the way He ordered the Israelites in the past and us today worshipping gods that we have not known; they will receive the curse.
In His mercy and kindness, Adonai took great care to provide exactly what we are required to do so that no one can claim the excuse that they did not know what G-d expects of us. We are to destroy anything and everything within the context of our ability and society, and environment that has the potential to cause us to turn away from serving the G-d of Israel only. For example, today we cannot literally destroy the places of pagan activity, break down idols and other physical structures including pagan gods. But we can avoid patronizing pagan businesses, socializing with those who partake of and support pagan festivals and practices, and refrain from watching programs or using websites we know are pagan-based with the intention of distracting us from honoring our G-d with all our hearts, souls, and might. G-d gives no quarter on the issue of obedience to his laws and regulations to the point that we must even separate ourselves from family and/or friends who entice us to follow other gods (13:7-13).
We are given further instructions regarding permitted and unpermitted foods. Research on unpermitted foods reveals the harm to the human body resulting from eating forbidden foods. An example is the consumption of shellfish such as shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters, crabs, etc. These creatures are filter feeders; good for the ocean, detrimental to human health. The toxins filtered from the sea are stored in these creatures and passed on to anything that consumes them. These toxins can cause food poisoning and paralytic shellfish poisoning. They contain high levels of heavy metals and other contaminants.
Pork is the top food-based transmitter of hepatitis E, a virus that attacks 20 million people every year and can lead to enlarged liver, acute illness, nausea, vomiting and joint pain. Pregnant women can experience violent reactions including rapid onset liver failure that may cause maternal and infant mortality. Pork meat can also cause inflammatory heart disease, pancreatitis, neurological problems such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, blood disorders, muscle damage through inflammation, and painful joints, to name a few possible results of eating pork (Healthline.com).
We are reminded to neither add to nor subtract from everything G-d commanded us to do (13:1). We are also advised to stay clear of “prophets” who attempt to entice us to follow other gods when something he/she predicted comes true. I am going to provide an example that may not be popular in Christian circles, but it applies to this scripture.
There are some televangelists and others who do not have the publicity others enjoy who claim to heal “in the name of Jesus.” People from the audience go up on stage, the “pastor” hists them on the forehead, and men who are standing by , lower that individual to the floor. The claim is that these people are “slain in the spirit” and that the “pastor” was given special anointing to heal the individual. The problems with this performance are numerous. First, G-d/Yahshua does not advocate “dog and pony show such as these events (Mark 1:42-2). Yahshua was a humble, suffering servant who seldom told those He healed to report the healing to others. Even in such cases, it was only to go and make a sacrifice according to the Mosaic Law (Mark 1:40).
Sh’mittah and the mandate to observe them every seven years is clearly defined. One example of the “curse” previously mentioned in this parashah is found in Leviticus 26 and forward including verses 34-5 that specifically identifies curses associated with failure to give the land its rest every seven years.
The remainder of the parashah describes the designated times of G-d and His mandate to observe them. It is clear that all of G-d’s mitzvot, laws and rulings were made for our ultimate good, for our best in all aspects of our humanity. Yet, mankind has continued to add to and subtract from G-d’s Word to the point of removing it completely. Anyone with a basic sense of reason will see that all that happened to Jerusalem and the Israelites is biblical times is happening to America and the world today. The parallels are undeniable, and it is a dangerous path to defiance and rejection of G-d’s Word by many that will prompt G-d’s curse on the land and its people just as He executed on the Israelites when they chose the same path. This statement is biblically sound and is a call to the reader or listener to consider your relationship to YHVH/Yahshua, the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The god Christianity professes to love and follow is not the G-d of Israel who is unchanging (Mal. 3:6), just as His commands and laws have not changed (Matt. 5:18).
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 54:11-55:5
This week’s haftorah is the third of a series of seven “haftarot of Consolation.” These seven haftarot commence on the Shabbat following Tisha b’Av and continue until Rosh Hashanah.
G d addresses the inconsolable and storm- tossed Jerusalem. He tells her that although He turned His face from her for a time, she will be redeemed through His grace. She is assured G-d will never be angry or rebuke her again (54:6-10). Jerusalem will be laid with precious stones. Her children will be “disciples of the L-rd,” and will enjoy abundant peace. Any weapon engineered against her will fail.
Then G-d through Isaiah invites the thirsty to acquire “water,” namely those who are thirsty for spirituality should study the quenching words of Torah. He promises the nation an everlasting covenant similar to that made with King David. This is also an allusion to the Messiah, David’s descendant (Yahshua), who will be revered by all the nations of the world.
B’rit Chadashah: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Sha’ul tells the Messianic community at Corinth that when he told them not to associate with those who practice sexual immorality; greed, thievery, idol worship, and the like, he was not referring to people outside the city or to “leave the world altogether.” He takes the point closer to home referring to those in our own families or communities, as mentioned in the parashah. He tells us that we should not even eat with these individuals. We are to use discernment and courage when we come into contact with those who profess to be our brothers in faith, or family; friends. We are to be strong enough to explain why we cannot associate with them; for this may be likened to wallowing with the pigs; guilty by association. Of course, if such an individual wants to meet with us to learn about our faith and ask questions about our G-d, we can certainly meet with them. G-d will judge those outsides of His Torah. We are responsible for rebuking those within our community/family/circle of friends according to G-d’s Torah. This is also addressed in different contexts in 2 and 3 John. We are not to turn a blind eye to injustice or antinomian behavior within our families and communities. If we are not bold enough to confront such people head-on, we should support those who are; lobbyists, organizations that strive to correct such problems; pray for strength and courage to become active ourselves. We should not and cannot always depend on others to correct anti-Torah behaviors/practices. We have a personal and collective responsibility to defend our G-d and his Torah just as Yahshua did throughout his life on earth. In the case of attacks on our person, we are to “turn the other cheek just as Yahshua did (Matt. 5:38-40). On the other hand, when someone attacks G-d’s Torah, righteous anger is in order, just as Yahshua demonstrated (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-6; John 2:14-16). Let us pray for wisdom to know the difference and act in a way that will glorify our Messiah.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart