Kavana

The Tanya has a section on Kavana, the proper intent we are to have in the manner that we observe the Mitzvot, pray and study Torah. There are two types of Kavana; one is intellectual and the other animalistic.The intellectual seems to be the superior method as one uses his intellect to contemplate Hashem's greatness and makes a sincere effort to attach to Hashem with love and fear.The animalistic level of Kavana is not as inferior as it sounds. It refers to the Jew who serves Hashem through instinct where he just knows that this is the proper way to act. This instinct is an inheritance from the Patriarchs.The Angels are also referred to as animals or חיות הקודש, as they also serve Hashem based on instinct.To be able to serve Hashem on an instinctive level is an indication that the person has not allowed outside negative influences to disrupt his observance of Mitzvot. The point of the Tanya is that we need to elevate the level of Kavana we are on, and strive to go higher.

סמיכות הפרשיות

Parshat כי תצא has more laws in it than any other Parsha with more than seventy of the 613 Mitzvot. Throughout the Torah, there is a concept of סמיכות הפרשיות, where we try to see the connection and reason as to why one subject follows another.This is seen very openly in כי תצא at the beginning of the Parsha. We are first taught about the woman taken captive in battle. The Torah frowned about taking such a woman for lustful purposes.This subject is followed by a man having two wives; one he loves and one he hates. The connection here is that the hated wife is likely to be the one he took in battle.This is followed by the case of the בן סורר ומורה, the totally rebellious son. He is likely to be the product of the union of the hated wife. He will be a thirteen year old that is impossible to handle.The fourth subject is that the cursed of G-d shall not be left hanging on the gallows overnight. The "cursed of G-d" could likely be the rebellious son that is put to death at the age of thirteen because of the more serious crimes he will commit as an adult.So we see why the Torah chose to place these particular subjects one after the other. This is סמיכות הפרשיות.

Lessons from Kings

Shavua Tov. The section in the Parsha that deals with kings, has several interesting lessons. Regarding the law that a king may not have too many wives, the Gemara tells the story that Avishag Hashunamite asked King David to marry her. David told her that a king was allowed a maximum of eighteen wives and she would be number nineteen. She told David to divorce one of the eighteen. David answered that the מזבח, the altar sheds tears when there is divorce. He did not marry Avishag.Regarding having too many wives, the Rambam is emphatic in calling Shlomo Hamelech, ידיד ה׳, the beloved of G-d. Therefore, anyone who implies that Shlomo actually married non-Jewish women is mistaken. He converted them all and mistakenly believed that by marrying women from all over the world, it would bring peace to the world.One must learn that straying from the teachings of the Torah even with the best of intentions, will not bring good results.

King, Kohein, Levi

The Alshich connects the idea of the king and the special roles of the Kohein and Levi. On the one hand, the king is powerful and is worthy of great respect and awe. He is likely to be very wealthy. He is reminded that his power must not make him haughty so that he does not get carried away with his exalted position.He must have a Torah with him at all times as it was placed on his right arm. He must not have too many wives or too many horses.The Kohein and Levi were not permitted to own land. They were to be supported by the rest of the tribes. The other tribes were reminded not to be resentful that the Kohanim and Leviim did not have to work. Usually, they were more poor than the rest of the people.The Alshich says that it's better to be poor than rich. The proof is that the Kohanim and Leviim still enjoyed an exalted status despite the poverty. The rich have to overcome far more temptation. It is so easy for a wealthy person to forget Hashem and attribute his wealth to the work of his own hands.May Hashem give us all the strength to overcome all of the challenges put before us. Shabbat Shalom

Testimony

There is a great deal written in this week's Parsha regarding testimony. We are commanded to give over testimony when we know information about a crime committed. It is understandable why it's easier not to "get involved", but it is more important to make sure that justice prevails in our society.One of the reasons why it is particularly difficult to testify about a crime, comes from the following Pasuk: יד העדים תהיה בו בראשונה להמיתו. The hands of the witnesses should come first in order to put the criminal to death. This is followed by יד כל העם, the hands of the rest of the nations.This means that in a death penalty situation where the accused is to receive death by stoning or strangulation, the two witnesses, whose testimony brought about this person's guilt, were also the ones to administer the punishment. If it was stoning, they were the first to hurl a heavy stone. If it was strangulation, the two witnesses had to pull on the rope that brought about the strangulation.All of this may sound harsh but we must never forget that the Torah is the ultimate in truth and justice.

Superstitions

Our Parsha this week also deals with the subject of sorcery and superstitions. There is a clear prohibition to consult the dead or to practice any act of witchcraft of any kind. King Shaul was guilty of this by consulting the אוב. He contacted the soul of Shmuel who told him he would die the next day.We are to be aware that there is power to the צד הטומאה, the side of impurity. We are not allowed to attach ourselves to any of this negativity. It affects our souls in a negative way.The Pasuk tells us תמים תהיה עם ה׳ אלוקיך to be perfect with Hashem and rely totally on Him. We must be particularly careful in today's world when all kinds of charms and "Segulas" are being offered. We must draw the line to be certain that we don't turn these things into עבודה זרה.

זקן ממרא

According to many opinions, the last time the Sanhedrin convened, was in the year 358 of the Common Era. At that time, there was a set calendar as no longer did witnesses come to the Sanhedrin to verify their seeing the new moon.The disbanding of the Sanhedrin was a tragedy as there no longer was one accepted legal authority in Israel. As the Jews went deeper into exile, there was more divisiveness among our people.This week's Parsha, speaks of the זקן ממרא, who was a judge himself but did not accept the authority of the Sanhedrin. He may have been a judge in a lower court and needed to consult the Sanhedrin on a legal issue. If he had the audacity to ask for a decision and he did not act according to that decision, he was to be put to death.His undermining of the accepted legislators in Israel was considered severe enough to warrant a death penalty. There needed to be unity and respect for the authority of the Sanhedrin. Otherwise, there is a breakdown when each person acts according to what is right in his own eyes.

Power of the Rabbis

Parshat שופטים discusses the power given to the rabbis in interpreting and protecting the Torah. The key words are, על פי התורה אשר יורוך, according to the Torah that THEY will teach you. The rabbis are allowed to make fences around the Torah to make it more difficult to violate a Torah law.They are also permitted to make תקנות that are decrees that they believe are for the betterment of society. An example would be the requirement to read the Torah on Mondays and Thursdays. Or, the prohibition of drinking wine handled by a non-Jew.Often people minimize the special role the rabbis have had throughout Jewish history. They were needed to help the Jewish people survive under very difficult conditions. Their wisdom was vital in helping us cope and maintain our purpose and direction.This is why Pirkei Avot tells us עשה לך רב, to make for yourself a rabbi as a guide and mentor. Your life will be better when you let a Rav in your life.

Destroy Idol Worship

Parshat ראה speaks about the inherent holiness of Eretz Yisrael. We are commanded that when we come into the land, we are to utterly destroy every place and symbol of where idol worship took place. The land is contaminated by such impurity existing in a place of such holiness.There is also a mention of where offerings are to be made to Hashem. There is a concept called היתר במות which meant that there was a brief period of time when people were permitted to build their own altars. This took place when the Mishkan and Beit Hamikdash were not functioning.The Mishkan was in Shilo for 369 years and was also in Nov and Givon. As long as these altars were functioning, it was forbidden to offer a sacrifice anywhere but there.There was always a fear that people could turn astray from Hashem and end up substituting the means towards getting closer to Hashem with an end in itself. This becomes Avoda Zara.Even today, there are those who worship Halacha instead of seeing it as a means of getting closer to Hashem. Therefore, our Parsha warns us not to defile our land with ANY form of idol worship. Shabbat Shalom

The Inciter

Another troublemaker that is mentioned in the Parsha is called the מסית. He is the one who incites people to sin and turn away from the Torah. Today they would be called Jewish missionaries. They use all kinds of methods to lure away innocent souls "to drink from the forbidden fountain" (in the words of Chassidic singer, Mordechai Ben David in describing Mormon missionaries.)In this particular case of the מסית, we are told to have no pity on him as the Torah says, לא תחמול ולא תכסה, have no pity and do not cover up for him. We are urged to put to death this inciter.The Talmud says that we should choose grouchy judges to decide the case of the מסית. The Gemara seems to say that old judges would be grumpy as would childless judges. They will not be afraid to convict the מסית.

False Prophet

Parshat ראה discusses the issue of the נביא שקר, the false prophet, and how to deal with him. If he does something supernatural, you should not necessarily be impressed. There are powers that are given from the side of impurity.What one needs to look at is what this individual is saying. If he predicts something good will happen and it does not come to be, he is a false prophet. If he predicts something bad will happen and it does not come to be, he can still be a true prophet.The main indication of his validity was whether he preached teachings that were contrary to the Torah. The moment he deviates from the Torah, we know he cannot be a true prophet.The Alshich adds that we must remember that such an individual represents an infection among the Jewish people. In order for the infection to be contained and not spread, the only solution would be to put the false prophet to death.

Mount Gerizim and Mount Eival

Parshat ראה mentions an amazing ceremony that took place shortly after the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael. It was another establishment of the covenant between G-d and the Jewish nation. This was in addition to the covenant at Mount Sinai and the covenant that Moshe made before his death.The ceremony took place in the valley between Mount Gerizim and Mount Eival in the northern Shomron. Half of the tribes stood on one mountain and the other half on the other mountain. At the bottom in the valley, were the Levites as well as the Kohanim and the Holy ark.When they recited the blessing, they faced Mount Gerizim and for the curse they faced Mount Eival.There were a total of twelve blessings and curses. After each one, the entire nation answered אמן. What is interesting about these twelve cases mentioned, they all involved acting in a deceitful manner where they could cover up their actions. One needed to act in public as he did in private.It seems that Hashem does not tolerate hypocrisy and expects people to act with love and openness rather than deception and manipulation. That was what the ceremony at הר גריזים and הר עיבל was meant to impress.

Reward for Mitzvot

Parshat ראה is an abbreviation for ראה אלול הגיע, "Look, Elul is here!" It is a continuation of a charge that Moshe is giving the people to remain strong in the observance of Mitzvot.The essence of the idea of the first part of the Parsha comes from Pirkei Avot where it says, שכר מצוה, מצוה, the reward for the observance of a Mitzva is the Mitzva itself. In the words of the Tanya, every Mitzva brings us closer to Hashem, and every עבירה distances us from Him.The Alshich points out how foolish it is for a person to think that he can lighten life's burdens by throwing off the yoke of Torah. One should never feel that he is limited in life because of taking on the yoke of Torah.The rewards for observing are far greater than we can ever imagine. Despite the feeling of contentment we have in observing a Mitzva, rewards can spread for one thousand generations. So continue being positive and feeling fortunate with our lot as observant Jews.

Fear of Heaven

Shavua Tov. There is one more important Pasuk mentioned in Parshat Eikev. That is the one that says, מה ה׳ אלוקיך שואל מעמך כי אם ליראה את ה׳, what does Hashem ask of you? Only to fear Hashem, etc. The word מה is interpreted as מאה which is the hint to trying to make 100 Brachot every day.The main message here is what Chazal say, הכל בידי שמים חוץ מיראת שמים, that, in essence, everything is predestined and the only thing that we truly have free will about is whether to fear Hashem or not. This fear is a leap of faith that shows that we truly believe in Hashem.The Alshich explains this point by saying that loving Hashem alone will not bring a person to observe the Mitzvot. The fear of Hashem shows a certain degree of surrender and subservience to Hashem. Such an individual will be afraid to violate the commandments.Rav Elazar זצ״ל used to say that one who is truly religious has two principle beliefs. One, is that he has אמונת חכמים, he has faith in the rabbis. And the second is that he has יראת שמים, fear of Heaven.

Mitzvot for Practice

The second paragraph of Shema is found in this week's Parsha. Even though the third paragraph regarding Tzitzit appears earlier in the Torah in the fourth book of במדבר, Shema first begins with accepting the yoke of Heaven and then the warning against forsaking the commandments. Tzitzit were meant to be a reminder to follow the Torah.In that second paragraph on the words, ושמתם את דברי אלה, that one should place these words on his heart, Rashi brings the Midrash of the ספרי. It says that even after we are exiled, we should be excellent at the observance of Mitzvot. We should continue to wear Tefillin and place Mezuzot on our doors so that we will know what to do when we come back.The Midrash is saying that the Torah was meant to be observed in Eretz Yisrael and outside of Israel we are only commanded to observe so that we won't get out of practice. It's like leaving signs on a long hike so that you can retrace your steps to be sure you will find your way back. Shabbat Shalom

Fear

Moshe's task at the end of his life was to inspire and motivate the nation that they be prepared to inherit the land. The Alshich says that Israel was a gift given to the Jewish people. It became an inheritance when they observed the Mitzvot, which was the ultimate purpose of their receiving Eretz Yisrael.Moshe also addresses the question of fear. He was aware that the Jewish people were entering a place with nations far greater than them. Again, the Alshich points out that there are times when fear is very rational. If one sees he's greatly outnumbered, he has a legitimate reason to be afraid.On the other hand, fear can come out of nowhere and one's fear is really based on one's personal feelings of inadequacy. Whatever the case may be, Moshe is telling the people that they have no reason to express fear of any kind as long as Hashem is close to them. When we have faith, we feel Hashem's protection and we realize that there is nothing to fear.

Hashem Provides

Another famous Pasuk related to the specialness of Eretz Yisrael comes from the words, עיני ה׳ אלוקיך בה מראשית השנה עד אחרית השנה, "the eyes of Hashem are on it from the beginning of the year to the end of the year."Not only is there a special connection between the Land of Israel, Hashem and the Jewish people, but we also learn a lesson regarding Parnassa from this verse.In essence, Hashem decides what our livelihood will be from one Rosh Hashana to the next. This is one of the reasons why Teshuva during the month of Elul is so important. This knowledge that our livelihood is already set for one full year, should give us peace of mind.Our attitude should be that Hashem is taking care of all of our needs. We are meant to be at peace with everything. But since we do not rely on miracles and it is expected that we work diligently at fulfilling our part of the bargain, Hashem will fulfill His.We must also remember that we are למעלה מן הטבע, above nature as a people and with faith, we can overcome everything.

G-d's Country

This week's Parsha is also loaded with information. At the beginning and end of פרשת עקב, there are praises of the Land of Israel. In the first Aliya, we become acquainted with the שבעת המינים, the seven species.We are told that Eretz Yisrael is a land that is not lacking in anything. Chazal say אוירה דארץ ישראל מחכים, the air in Israel makes one wise.In the Talmud, the Amora, אביי, praised the Torah scholars of Israel as being superior to those of Babylonia. The inherent holiness of the land, has a profound effect on every person.The Rabbis further say that one who lives in Israel has all of his sins forgiven. One who lives in Israel is a צדיק, for if he wasn't, the land would not tolerate him and he would be cast out of the land.How fortunate are we who have been blessed to be able to live in G-d's country.

Who May Own Land in Israel

One final point from פרשת ואתחנן. At the end of the Parsha, we have the words, לא תחנם. Rashi translates these words as saying לא תיתן להם חניה בארץ. We translate this to mean that we are not allowed to give idol worshippers ownership of land of any size in Eretz Yisrael.There are many instances brought in the Talmud where it is important to liberate lands that were confiscated from Jews by various oppressive groups passing through IsraelThose who are permitted to own land in Israel included the גר תושב who we might today call a Noachide as he observes the Seven Noachide Laws. He has also abandoned idolatry.The גר צדק who takes upon himself all 613 Mitzvot as well as a born Jew may also have the privilege of owning land in Israel.

Shema Yisrael

The first paragraph of שמע is also in this week's Parsha. Aside from it being a great affirmation of faith, it also contains seven important Torah commandments.1. The oneness of G-d. There can only be one G-d and never more than one.2. The commandment to love Hashem from the words ואהבת את ה׳ אלקיך3. Study Torah regularly which is learned from ושננתם לבניך. How are we to teach our children if we don't study ourselves?4. The Mitzva to wear Tefillin on our arms5. The Mitzva to wear Tefillin on our heads.6. The Torah commandment to recite the שמע when we lie down and rise up. Morning and night.7. The commandment to place a Mezuza on our door posts and on our gates.