See!

This week’s Torah portion is Parshah Re'eh - Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 – and begins with the word “Re’eh” – the command form of the word “See!” or “Look!” – in some ways the follow-up to the word “Sh’ma” – “Listen!” found a few chapters earlier in Scripture. For not only do we long to hear the word of G-d, we ask G-d to open our eyes to see the world around us so we truly bear witness.

There is no better eye-opener that a visit to the Land of Israel, no better way to understand the tense relationship between Gaza and Sderot than to stand overlooking the towns of Gaza from Sderot one moment, no better way to testify to the horrors of life in Sderot than to stand in front of the piles of kassam and other rockets fired into the town from Gaza and see the havoc they let loose.

This week, Israel allowed two “peace ships” arrive in the port of Gaza, filled with pro-Palestinian activists and a few hearing aids, while life in Gaza continued with very little deprivation. This week, Israel released nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners – some of them responsible for terrorist acts. This week, more rockets were fired into the Western Negev, in spite of the so-called truce Hamas has declared. And, this week, Gilad Schalit remained a captive of Hamas as he “celebrated” his 22nd birthday – his third birthday in captivity.

How could it be that Gilad Schalit has been left behind? How many terrorists will be set free before Hamas liberates Gilad? When will the world see and hear what is happening?

Next week we will begin the month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish year, the month during which we prepare for the Yamim Noraim – the Days of Awe from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur as ordained by Scripture – when we ask G-d to inscribe us in the Book of Life for a year of blessing and peace. With seeing eyes and hearing ears, we pray, too, for peace and blessing B’Aretz – in the Land of Israel. May the coming year be one in which more eyes are opened to reality.

Shabbat Shalom -
Rabbi Jeff Kahn