Centering and Recentering
Josephus thought Re’eh (at least the beginning of it) was about the centralization of worship. The passage ends with a lot of talk about the three harvest festivals – still considered the most important, and also the most joyous occasions of the Jewish year. I’m learning a lot about the rabbis this year – and Re’eh reminds me a lot about the world (even that long after Devarim is supposed to reflect) in which they were living. The mindset revolves around a clear right and wrong, blessing and curse – to fulfill or not to fulfill the commandments and obligations.
Why do we do what Re’eh says? Because G!d commands it. But – we are given a choice.
Re’eh means “see” – “look.” The Israelites are asked to open their eyes, to direct their vision to the choice that G!d is giving them. From this opening speech, which is inspiring to a group of people at the intersection of their new long-sought-after promised home, Moses passes on from G!d the details of how the blessings and curses will work. There’s a lot of talk of doing right before G!d, not neglecting their community, acting differently from before, correct sacrifices.
“Follow none but the L!rd your G!d, and revere none but him; observe his commandments alone, and heed only his orders; worship none but him, and hold fast to him.” (Deuteronomy 13:5)
The pronouncement of blessings and curses comes in a few weeks. Here, in Re’eh, it may be concluded that doing the opposite of G!d’s commands will bring the opposite effect, thereby “cursing.” Moses isn’t done yet with his farewell speech. As we continue reading Devarim, the establishment and building of a society which has been forming for more than forty years and is about to settle in a permanent home invites us to think about rules of governing such a group. The land is before them – they are almost ready, and they can taste the blessings. G!d, through Moses, is seeking to establish the permanence of their presence through obedience.
