This week’s Torah portion (i.e., parashat Re’eh) is about seeing. We are commanded to see clearly the choices that lie before us and to choose the way of life and blessing. Note, however, that the Hebrew word for seeing (ראה) and the word for fearing (ירא) share the same root, suggesting that we cannot truly see apart from the reverence of God…
Some people say “I’ll believe it when I see it,” but the heart of faith believes in order to see… You will see as you believe. The gift of seeing the truth is a miracle on the order of being born again. As C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” If you believe in the love of God there are no questions; but if you refuse to believe, there are no answers.
“You teach,” said Emperor Trajan to Rabbi Joshua, “that your God is everywhere, yet I cannot see him.” Joshua said that unlike human kings, the LORD was too powerful for people to see; as it is written in the Torah: “No person shall see Me and live.” The emperor was skeptical, however, and insisted that unless he could see God, he would be unable to believe. Joshua then pointed to the sun high in the sky: “Look into the sun and you will see God.” The emperor tried to look into the sun, but was forced to cover his eyes to keep them from burning: “I cannot look into the sun,” he said. Joshua then replied: “Listen to yourself: If you cannot look into the sun which is but one of God’s creations, how can you expect to look at God?” (Sefer HaAggadah)
It’s been said that the optimist believes this is the best of all possible worlds; whereas the pessimist is afraid that the optimist is right… Faith is the foundation for everything, and indeed, there can be no knowledge of anything whatsoever apart from faith. It is therefore supremely important for us to think clearly about our faith, since what we believe about God has eternal implications…
Click to listen and learn the Hebrew text (with some commentary):
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