Close your eyes and imagine yourself standing on the precipice of a new luxuriant land in an unknown world after a lifetime of wandering and waiting. Your new home lies before you and, at last, a world of joy, security, relative comfort and promise awaits. At this moment, what can the Israelites be thinking and what is G-d planning?

 

This is the dramatic setting we find the Israelites facing as we read Re’eh in Deuteronomy.

 

Until this point, the Israelites have been protected and contained as one community, doing pretty much as they please. But G-d knows they will now be interfacing with other nations that have not experienced Him. Hence, G-d “lays down the law” both figuratively and literally. He says, “Take care to observe all the laws and rules that I have set before you this day” (11:32) and proceeds to explain many of the commandments.

 

We see that Re’eh focuses on laws that ensure the Israelites will live with continued respect for G-d and as One People. G-d sets the stage to avoid assimilation with other nations.

 

He so much wants His People to remain as one that He even tells them to destroy nations that worship many gods. While this may appear extreme and harsh by modern standards, this is what G-d requires to instill discipline, loyalty and oneness. In exchange for safety and security, the Israelites need to obey His laws and not to be influenced by other nation’s ways that do not reflect the values G-d has put forth.

 

G-d has invested much in His People and wants them to be a strong nation. For that to occur, they must be unified, cohesive, disciplined and ethical—a tall order for wanderers. This is why it is necessary to enumerate so many laws dealing with interpersonal behaviors and personal responsibility: so that the Israelites will grow a moral compass and live with compassion and ethical behavior.

 

The range of commandments discussed is wide, including kashrut, denial of false prophets, observance of the three main holidays, helping the poor and tzedakah.

 

Let’s look at these last two, which are integral to Judaism as well as to the mission of NWP, and which illuminate the compassionate side of G-d’s commandments.

 

We are told, “Do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kinsman” (15:7), and “Give to him readily and have no regrets” (15:7). We commanded not only to give to the needy, but also told how we must give.

 

We shift from the donor to the recipient and understand that there is a psychology of poverty. Being poor and needy can be a place of humiliation. It is our duty not to embarrass or shame those in need when giving tzedakah for their human dignity is at stake. Judaism also does not romanticize poverty and instructs us to eliminate it, as poverty crushes the spirit. Judaism knows that a mind cannot be full of spirituality if plagued by constant oppression.

 

Giving tzedakah is compulsory for all, even the poor, so we must give enough to the poor so that they in turn can give tzedakah, “and lend him sufficient for whatever he needs” (15:8).  While this may not make sense economically or logistically, it has huge value psychologically. A needy person can appreciate that there is always someone poorer. They, too, have a responsibility, and by performing this mitzvah, their dignity is restored.

 

Even while helping the needy, it is our goal to move them past poverty. From Pirkei Avot, we know to teach our children Torah and a trade as well as how to swim, earn a livelihood and survive. Modern tradition provides tzedakah for basic needs, but at a higher level provides substantial dollars for job creation. In today’s world, we create promise and employment through multiple pathways: microloans to help jumpstart and build a business, vocational services for the under- and unemployed, interest-free loans, and technical and vocational training centers. Without basic economic security, hope dims.

 

As we move into a new Campaign year and share the many facets of the JFNA world with our donors throughout the continent, let us illuminate the programs within our communities at home and overseas that bring people out of poverty, help them gain employment and elevate their dignity, all of which are so critical to uplifting our People and community. Let the needy among us stand tall and look forward with possibilities as the Israelites did before a new land—with great anticipation and promise.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Hilary

 

Hilary Greenberg                                                               

First Year NWP Board Member