Parashah Roundup: Re'eh 5769

by Steve Brizel

L'Zecher Nishmas Yitzchak Ben Zelig

An Overview of the Parsha

R Yitzchak Etshalom surveys the numerous themes of the Parsha: link

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks reminds us that Judaism is transmitted by our comprehension of the Divine Word: link

Freedom of Choice

R Hershel Schachter, based upon the teachings of Rav Soloveichik, ZTL, illustrates why Bchirah Chofshis is one of the Ikarei Emunah: link

R Ben Zion Shafier, based upon a parable of the Daas Zkanim, illustrates the consequences of choices that we make in our lives: link (PDF)

Click here for moreCommunal Responsibility

R Avraham Gordimer suggests that living in the Land of Israel entailed a sense of arvus for adherence to the mitzvos: link

Internalizing the Mitzos

R Shlomoh Riskin reminds us that we must internalize the mitzvos in our lives: link

Aseh Lchah Rav

R Baruch Simon explains why one must have a rebbe: link

The Right and the Good

R Yaakov Neuberger, based upon the teachings of R Nisan Alpert ZL, suggests that the entire unifying focus of Sefer Devarim is the focus on goodness and integrity: link

The Outstretched Hand

R Yisscocher Frand explains why Tzedakah should be extended with an outstretched hand: link

The Nesivos Shalom, as explicated by R Yitzchak Adlerstein, suggests that all of our observance of the Mitzvos should have the same attitude as we have towards the mitzvah of Tzedaka: link

R Dovid Gottlieb discusses the halachic interplay between Maaser Kesafim and Charitable Donations: link (audio)

R Daniel Z. Feldman and R Shmuel Maybruch discuss priorties and perspectives in Tzedakah and Chesed and contemporary issues in Hilcos Tzedakah: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio), link 3 (audio)

The False Prophet

R Berel Wein reminds us to be wary of ideological trends and utopian schemes: link

R Yaakov Haber examines hashkafic issues raised by true and false prophecy, tests of faith and preserving faith: link

R Ephraim Buchwald suggests how we identify a true, as opposed to a false prophet: link

Worshiping God in a True Manner

Rav Soloveitchik, ZTL, based upon the comments of Ramban on Devarim 12:30 ( end of s.v. Hishamer) , warns us not to worship God in the same manner that the nations of the world worship God or to import their manners of worship into our service of God: link
Shemitas Kesafim and Shemitas HaAretz

R Elhanan Samet explores the relationship between Shemitas Kesafim and Shemitas HaAretz: link

The Mitzvah of Simcha

R Avigdor Nevenzal suggests how one fulfills Simchas Yom Tov during the rest of the year: link

R Zvi Sobolofsy examines the many dimensions of the Mitzvah of Simcha, especially as manifested in the Shalosh Regalim: link

The Mitzvah of Testimony and Invalidating a Document

R Avraham Gordimer discusses the actions of Bes Din in examining witnesses and documents: link

Bal Tosif

R Yonasan Sacks examines the halachic dimensions of this prohibition: link (audio)

Mitzvas Bchor

R Baruch Simon discusses the Karban and Halachos of the Bchor: link (audio)

Sefiras HaOmer

R Asher Weiss discusses the mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer: link

Last year's roundup: link