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A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
The start of, or return to, college is beginning. Let’s see if we can find a good message for our college bound loved ones.
“See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse.” Why does Parashat Re’eh begin with the imperative word “see!”? What does “seeing” have to do with blessings and curses and, indeed, with any other part of the Torah for that matter? Perhaps nothing; perhaps everything.
Sight is an important human sense. The phrase “seeing is believing” conjures up the notion that above all, when we can register something with our eyes, sight crystallizes everything. On the other hand, if, as the saying goes, “the eyes are the window to the soul”, then perhaps the command to “see”, requires that we understand what we are seeing with our complete selves, body and soul.
This is not to say that God is telling us that “seeing” is the most important of the senses. Our other senses are certainly highlighted in the Torah. The Shema commands us to “hear”. The senses of taste and smell are consistently being conjured; Israel is referred to as the land of milk and honey. We are told that sacrifices made a pleasing aroma to God. When an angel is wrestling with Jacob and realizes it will not win, the angel “touches” Jacobs’s thigh to end the contest.
By referring to, or having the narrative utilize all, the senses, I think the Torah is letting us know that we should live our lives with all our available senses. It provides a great message for our college bound. Absorb your college experiences with all your being.
But the Parsha provides another important message for those heading to university or college. Here is the full first three verses of the Parasha:
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; and the curse, if you do not heed the commandments of the Lord your God, but stray from the way I am commanding you today… (Deut. 11:26 – 28).
The Rabbis acknowledged from this, that God gave humanity free will. It is our choice to determine whether to heed the commandments and be blessed, or to ignore them and be cursed. “Choice” is the most important aspect of this equation.
As our children and grandchildren go off to school it is important that we remind them that they will always be presented with choices, and that those choices make a difference. Do I study for the exam? Do I treat this person with respect? Do I join this club or that one? Do I go to Hillel? Do I help my friend who is having a problem?
Are tradition is telling us that we all need to experience our lives with all our senses and that we all have control over the choices we make. Two simple concepts which will help our children, and us, to live better and more “menschy” lives.
A Prayer for everyone going off to college, by Rabbi Naomi Levy:
May you go off to college in peace,
May it be a time of growth, learning and wisdom,
A time of new friendships, adventure and fun.
And through it all, may God bless you and protect You.
Amid this time of hatred and division on campus
May you always be proud to be a Jew, connected to your People and your faith.
Know that you are strong, thoughtful and courageous.
Trust in yourself,
And remember you are never alone.
Turn to friends who will support you,
Mentors who will teach and guide you
And remember I am always here for you.
May God bless the path you take,
May all your efforts lead to success,
May your studies never cease.
May any challenges you face strengthen your character and your determination.
May God bless your body with health and your soul with joy,
May God watch over you night and day and shield you from all harm.
May all your prayers be answered,
Amen.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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