By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. in El Cajon, California
Parashat Re’eh opens with a curious word: “Re’eh” “See.” At first glance, it seems like an unusual way for Moshe to begin. If someone wants your attention, they usually say, “Listen.” In fact, that’s exactly how Judaism introduces its most famous declaration: Shema Yisrael, “Hear, O Israel.” So why, here, does Moshe say, “See”?
Perhaps because hearing and seeing are not the same thing. We can hear an idea without letting it change us. Advice is easy to ignore. But once we truly see something, it becomes much harder to pretend it isn’t there. Seeing creates clarity, and clarity calls us to act.
There’s another detail that’s easy to miss. The Torah says Re’eh in the singular, even though Moshe is speaking to the entire Jewish people. His message isn’t only for the nation; it’s for every individual. Before we can improve our community, our family, or the world around us, each of us would best be willing to look honestly at ourselves.
That is exactly the avodah, work, of Elul. As Elul approaches next week, we speak about cheshbon hanefesh, taking an accounting of the soul. It’s an interesting expression because an accountant doesn’t guess. He or she opens the books and looks at the numbers as they are, not as he wishes they were. Elul asks us to do the same with our lives. Where have I grown this year? Where have I stood still? What habits are bringing me closer to Hashem, and which ones are quietly pulling me away?
That kind of honesty isn’t always comfortable. Most of us find it much easier to see what’s wrong with someone else than what’s wrong with ourselves. We quickly recognize another person’s impatience or pride, while our own shortcomings always seem to come with explanations. The Torah challenges us to reverse that tendency. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with everyone else?” Elul asks, “What can I improve about myself?”
Moshe continues, “See, I place before you today a blessing and a curse.” The word “today” is just as important as the word “see.” We often think our lives are shaped by a few major decisions, but that’s rarely true. More often, our character is formed by the small choices we make every day. Whether we answer someone patiently or sharply, whether we speak honestly when it costs us something, whether we make time for Torah, whether we notice someone who needs encouragement, these decisions seem small in the moment, but together they shape the people we become.
It’s easy to tell ourselves that change will begin tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll be more patient. Tomorrow I’ll learn more consistently. Tomorrow I’ll make that phone call or apologize or spend more time with my family. The Torah reminds us that blessing is always placed before us today. Tomorrow is beyond our control but today is full of opportunities that Hashem has already given us.
The Mishnah defines a wise person as someone who “sees what will come from his actions.” Wisdom isn’t simply knowing more facts. It’s learning to look beyond the moment.
Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai emphasizes this in Pirke Avot, (2:13), when he points his disciples in the direction of “seeing” and discovering for themselves what is the good path, a generous eye, a good colleague, a good neighbor, foresight, and a generous heart. What we see, we find. In the words of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, “In our world, everything is a mixture of good and bad. Human beings must choose which aspects they will emphasize, contemplate, and pursue…”
Further, we learn in Tamid 32a, in the Talmud, “Who is wise? One who sees the future.” When we use our mind’s eye to see and to visualize clearly, we can wisely choose to see the many blessings Hashem “set before” us in our lives daily. They are there. See them?
*
Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly D’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family are members. They are also active members of Congregation Adat Yeshurun.