Torah Portion - August 28, 2008

Parashat Re’eh - See, Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Rabbi Mark S. Kram, Temple Beth Or, 8/29/08

We are neither robots nor automatons.  Nor are we equal to those of the animal kingdom who do not possess a mind for introspection.  We are “little lower than the angels,” and perhaps higher!  We have the ability to choose – right from wrong and good from bad.   We have the ability to choose either the blessing or the curse as stated in this weeks’ parasha.  Our choices are real choices.

So what are the Israelites instructed to do by God when they enter the Land of Canaan, with all of its worship places across the country?  They are to, “Tear down their altars, smash their pillars, put their sacred posts to the fire, and cut down the images of their gods, obliterating their name from that site.” (Deut. 12:3)

That’s pretty clear!  The danger, as in all times throughout Jewish history, is assimilation.   How much should or can we adapt or adopt, and how much we should remain separate?  How our own customs change or alter or remain the same? 

As Reconstructionist Jews, we understand the value of change and its challenges.  We are encouraged to nurture the evolution of our religious civilization all the while sustaining meaning in our ancient customs which speak to us in our world today.  

SHABBAT SHALOM!

MARK