This week’s Torah portion introduces us to the concept of free choice. Throughout the remaining portions of the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the Jewish people that Hashem has set them before two divergent paths: one of good and one of evil. Choose good, Moses says, and you will have chosen life. Choose evil, and you will have chosen death.
That sounds pretty simple, no? It shouldn’t be too difficult to choose right over wrong, life over death, and light over darkness. But as we know, it is not always clear which path is which; not always obvious that the path we’ve chosen is in fact the path of life.
We had an engaging Lunch & Learn on the choices facing Israel today and a format for lasting peace. We encourage reading "Make Peace", A Strategic Guide for Achieving Lasting Peace In Israel portraying The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Timeless Vision For Israel's Security And The Ongoing Conflict In The Middle East.
The choice is ultimately ours, but choosing correctly requires intuition and guidance. By educating ourselves, engaging in appropriate activities and associating with good people, that’s how we will eventually be led to the right choices.
Still, we also need Divine guidance. As the Torah says in the opening verse of this week’s reading, “See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse.” By connecting to the Divine, we will have our eyes opened and be able to discern the correct path. In fact, we are guaranteed as much.
By committing to a life of Torah and mitzvahs, we have G-d’s promise that our choices will always be the right ones.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
UPCOMING CLASSES AND LECTURES
- Shabbos, 9:30 am - Chassidus - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala Insights on the Parsha
- Wednesdays, 11 am - The Tanya - Meaning and Purpose of Life
- Wednesdays, 8 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social - Contemporary Themes
- Thursdays, 8 pm - The Heart of Prayer- In-depth unpacking the Siddur
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SHABBOS MEVARCHIM ELUL, PARSHAS RE'EH
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 26 MENACHEM AV
7:28 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 pm Mincha & Kabbolas Shabbos
SHABBOS, AUGUST 31, 27 MENACHEM AV
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillin
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Shacharis
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
7:25 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 6
8:21 pm Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends
Living Torah Video
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 28 MENACHEM AV
8:00 am Shacharis
MON.-FRI,, SEPT 2-6, 29 MENACHEM AV-3 ELUL
6:45 am Shacharis
Rosh Chodesh Elul Sept 3 & 4
6:45 am Shacharis followed by breakfast
Good Shabbos!