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Our Torah portion (Re'eh) exhorts us to see clearly – to focus the will – by understanding that our choices have spiritual consequence, and that we are responsible for what we choose. "Re'eh - see!" Open your eyes and apprehend that there is overarching moral reality before which we are infinitely accountable. Therefore we are commanded first to see, because without clear vision we will be unable to discern what is a blessing and what is a curse – that is, we will be blind to the effect our choices have in our lives (Prov. 29:18).
Therefore choose this day, and choose life (בָּחַרְתָּ בַּחַיִּים)! Look and know there is good and there is evil, there is the sacred and the profane; there is real blessedness and loss... God will never allow us to be indifferent to Reality. We can (and we must) choose, and if we should regard ourselves as powerless, we deny the truth of our freedom – we turn away from possibility and become enslaved to a victim mentality.... You cannot opt out of responsibility for your choices, since not choosing is itself a choice, and therefore are "forced to be free" - and bear the consequences of how we live.
Hebrew Lesson
Proverbs 29:18 Hebrew reading (click):
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