VOLUME 20, ISSUE 33 FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 / 26 AV 5773
TORAH PORTION: RE’EH (DEUTERONOMY 11:26 – 16:17)
CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:47 P.M. SHABBAT ENDS: 8:56 PM (CHICAGO)
This week’s CTN Shabbat Fax is dedicated by Jennifer and Jerry Albom, in celebration of the recent engagement of our daughter Malka to Ari Reich. May they build a beautiful Jewish home together!
1. “SEE THAT I AM PLACING BEFORE YOU TODAY, A BLESSING AND A CURSE. THE BLESSING, IF YOU OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS … WHICH I COMMAND YOU TODAY.” (11:26-27)
‘Today.’
The Torah stresses that word in many places when it tells us to do the right thing.
‘… Today. Today.’
It’s a powerful message.
Especially at this time of the year.
With Rosh Hashanah around the corner.
… Which makes it a time to see how we’re doing.
Ethically. Morally. And spiritually.
As human beings. And as Jews.
… And it’s a time for change.
But there’s something about human nature.
Because we know how it is. How sometimes we get motivated.
And we think about how we’d like to improve.
In our relationship with G-d.
Or our dealings with other people.
… We really want to do it.
But then, we hear that ‘little voice’ inside us:
… “Who are you trying to kid?
Look at how you’ve behaved for the last twenty years.
You think you’re going to change now?”
Or we may find ourselves thinking something like this:
“Come on. Get real.
Maybe you’ll change for a day or two.
But you know it’s not going to last!”
And then – before we know it – we’re right back where we started.
… The key to self improvement?
Forget about yesterday.
And don’t think about tomorrow.
… Just deal with today.
One day at a time.
Because if you do that – before you know it – the days add up.
… And you can be a different person.
2. DOWN TO EARTH WISDOM … FROM THE JEWISH MYSTICS
Human beings. In Hebrew we are called Adam.
The word comes from the Hebrew word, Aadamah. Which means earth.
… Which seems a little strange.
Because it’s true that we have physical, earthly side to us. But we also have a spiritual side.
And that’s what’s unique about us!
So why are we called Adam, earth?
The answer is that earth has symbolic meaning.
Take a look at some earth. In a garden, a field, wherever.
What you are really looking it is potential.
Right now all you see is some plain earth. But put in a seed, give it the water and nutrients it needs … put in the work, and it will produce amazing things!
And that’s what being human is. Potential for growth.
Calling ourselves Adam is a reminder. That when we look at human beings – others as well as ourselves – we should not see just what meets the eye.
Instead, we should always see the amazing potential for growth that every human being has.
3. QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s not how much or how little you have that makes you great or small, but how much or how little you are with what you have.”
— Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch
(Horeb, vol. 1, pg 46)