From: murray.bbs@cybernet.cse.fau.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish
Subject: L'Chaim 2 of 8
Date: 2 Sep 92 14:12:33 GMT
Organization: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton

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 L'CHAIM               ISSUE   #  230                  PART  2   OF  8
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                   LIVING WITH THE TIMES
                 THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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   This  week's  Torah  portion  of Re'ei  is  always  read  at a  time
associated with the month of  Elul, either on the Shabbat on  which the
month of  Elul is  blessed or on  Rosh Chodesh Elul  as in  the present
year.
 
   Re'ei begins with the  verse, "Behold, I am giving  before you today
the blessing..." This verse refers to  the fact that the blessing,  and
the  revelation of G-dliness that accompanies it, is coming from Above.
Indeed, each of the words of this verse emphasizes that approach:
 
   Behold:  Seeing implies  the establishment  of a  deep and  powerful
connection. Thus our Sages  state, "hearing does not  resemble seeing,"
and they forbid an eyewitness from  acting as a judge. Once someone has
seen  a  misdeed committed,  he will  never be  able  to conceive  of a
redeeming  virtue for a  defendant. In contrast, when  a person is told
about an  event, he  is allowed  to serve  as a  judge and  indeed, all
trials depend on listening to such testimony.
 
   What  is the  reason  for  such  a  difference?  When  hearing,  one
approaches  a concept step by step, gathering all the particulars. This
resembles  an ascent upward. In  contrast, when seeing,  one is brought
into  direct contact  with an  event as  a totality  all at  once. Only
afterwards,  does one focus attention on the particulars. This reflects
the approach of revelation from Above.
 
   I--"Anochi": This refers  to G-d's  essence in a  most uplifted  and
magnified manner. In our verse, the Hebrew word "anochi" is used rather
than the more common  "ani." "Anochi"  communicates a  greater sense of
pride and magnitude than "ani."
 
   Am giving: The  fact that G-d is giving clearly  implies a gift from
Above.
 
  Before you: "lifneichem" in Hebrew  relates to the word "p'nimiyut"--
inner dimension. This emphasizes the approach of revelation from Above.
For we begin by focusing on our own personal inner dimension, our inner
being,  and  then  proceed to  the  external  dimensions.  In contrast,
proceeding  from the  externals to the  internal is  more a  process of
elevating what is here below to Above.
 
   Today: This reflects the  concepts of light and revelation,  for the
day is  the time of  light. It also is  associated with a  dimension of
eternality, as our  Sages state,  "Whenever the word  'today' is  used,
[the influence] is eternal  and forever." And this is  possible because
it   involves  a  revelation  from  Above  which  does  not  take  into
consideration the nature of the recipient.
 
   Blessing: Blessing obviously refers to an influence from Above.
 
   The occupation of the month of Elul, however, is a totally different
type of work. For in Elul,  our spiritual workout focuses on  elevating
ourselves  through  our own  initiative and  not  through a  "gift from
Above."
 
   Where, then, is  the connection  between our Torah  portion and  the
fact that we read it on Rosh Chodesh Elul?
 
   The truth is  that since in  Elul we take stock  of the entire  year
that  has passed, we  must correct any deficiencies  in either of these

two areas. We must  put tremendous effort into elevating  ourselves and
our surroundings through our own initiative as well as making ourselves
a worthy receptacle for G-d's inspiration and blessings from Above.
 
Adapted from a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
 
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 *Origin: L'Chaim BBS - KESHERnet NYC node2 (718-756-7201) (1:278/610)