Last week's parsha, Parshat Ekev, began with Moshe reminding his audience that while the Decalogue, the Asar ha-Dibrot, were significant, and they are, we cannot lose sight of any mitzvah, no matter how small.
As the rabbis say in Pirkei Avot, the ethics of our fathers, one should be careful to fulfill the easy as well as the difficult mitzvot, because one does not know the reward for any mitzvah.
Our parsha, Re'eh, according to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, opens with Moshe defining reality for the next generation and all generations.
Framing reality for the group defines its state, specifies its aims, articulates its choices, and tells us where we are and where we are going.
Et ha-bracha asher tishme'u el mitzvot Hashem elokeichem asher anochi mesaveh etchem hayom.
The blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am giving you today.
Veha-k'lalah im lo tishme'u el mitzvot Hashem elokeichem ve-sartem min hadech asher anochi mesaveh etchem hayom lelechet achrei elohim acherim asher lo yidatem.
The curse, if you disobey the commandments of the Lord your God and turn away from the way that I command you today by following other gods whom you have not known.
This is Moshe's preface to what is about to follow, the systematic restatement of Jewish law covering all aspects of life for the new nation in its land.
Moshe does not want them to lose the big picture by being overwhelmed by the details.
But despite these details, Moshe is saying that the choice he set before them really is quite simple.
Last week's parsha, Parshat Ekev, began with Moshe reminding his audience that while the Decalogue, the Asar ha-Dibrot, were significant, and they are, we cannot lose sight of any mitzvah, no matter how small.
As the rabbis say in Pirkei Avot, the ethics of our fathers, one should be careful to fulfill the easy as well as the difficult mitzvot, because one does not know the reward for any mitzvah.
Our parsha, Re'eh, according to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, opens with Moshe defining reality for the next generation and all generations.
Framing reality for the group defines its state, specifies its aims, articulates its choices, and tells us where we are and where we are going.
Et ha-bracha asher tishme'u el mitzvot Hashem elokeichem asher anochi mesaveh etchem hayom.
The blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am giving you today.
Veha-k'lalah im lo tishme'u el mitzvot Hashem elokeichem ve-sartem min hadech asher anochi mesaveh etchem hayom lelechet achrei elohim acherim asher lo yidatem.
The curse, if you disobey the commandments of the Lord your God and turn away from the way that I command you today by following other gods whom you have not known.
This is Moshe's preface to what is about to follow, the systematic restatement of Jewish law covering all aspects of life for the new nation in its land.
Moshe does not want them to lose the big picture by being overwhelmed by the details.
But despite these details, Moshe is saying that the choice he set before them really is quite simple.
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