Parshas Reeh is unique in its name. “Seeing” wisdom is obviously a higher level of understanding than just internalizing the concept. How do we know this? In the passages of Matan Torah we are told that the nation saw the voices. And we encounter the word again in Parshas Vaeschanan where Hashem tells Moshe to go up the mountain and see the land of Israel in all directions. The Mefarshim explain that this embodies a deep vision of the future challenges and salvations of the Jewish people. This is the vision that Moshe Rabeinu is teaching the Jewish people before they enter the land of Israel. They go on to explain that Moshe’s vision was infusing the land of Israel with kedusha.
I think we can better understand the message with the words of the Ohr Hachayim who has a unique explanation for why Moshe used the word ‘reeh’-- see and adds the words ‘Anochi ‘—me. Why is Moshe pointing to himself?
The answer given by the Ohr Hachayim is that Moshe was imparting to the Jewish people the most important message that will apply and will be the pivotal tool for their success: choose spirituality, choose the word of God and you will have blessing. Choosing the path of idols and rejecting God will result in a cursed life. Essentially Moshe was saying that if you want to be really fulfilled and happy and have a life of true blessings then don't fall into the trap of materialism which leads to forgetting Hashem when not used properly. Rather focus all your efforts on spiritual growth and if you were given the gift of wealth make sure you realize it’s a test to see if you will use it for spiritual purposes or not.
So why indeed does Moshe use the words ‘see’ and’ Anochi’? Moshe understood that if a pauper without a penny to his name would show up and tell wealthy people who own fancy cars and houses that money and material possessions are harmful, their reaction would be somewhat hostile. “Listen my friend,” they would say. “Just dip in my pool and live in my house for a week. You will change your perspective. After all, you haven't tasted real Olam Hazeh.”
With this understanding, Moshe informs his people that despite all his riches—and they are many—his life’s mission has been to keep Hashem’s mitzvos. And that even while the Jewish people were busy amassing wealth during yiztiat mitzrayim and the crossing of the yam suf, Moshe was involved in the mitzvah of moving the bones of Yosef Hatzadik. We are entering the month of Elul. The Mefarshim explain that Elul is ani ledodi vedodi li which describes a love relationship between us and Hashem. There is no greater pleasure than the love of Hashem and that is exactly what Hashem wishes from us but it takes effort and a lot of choices between spiritual pursuits or physical ones. The Rambam tells us that Teshuva means returning to Hashem and loving him. It’s about regaining the best possible relationship.
May we all merit to return both individually and collectively.
by Rabbi Daniel Coren
