blogs/rabbi-huberman

My wife and I recently returned from spending 10 days with family in a location where live television was not available.

As result, some amazing things occurred.

We observed God’s creation in all of its glory. There was an opportunity to share family stories and discuss “Bible” with my wife’s brother and sister in law.

We ate together, blessed together, toured together, laughed together, and yes, even shared a tearful memory—together.

And I returned with a stunning revelation: The world had changed little since we left.

Perhaps the only difference was that we had enjoyed many hours of peace, love, reflection and gratitude, which are sometimes lost when we spend hours in front of the television or online.

One hour in front of your favorite channel may prove worthwhile. But three or four within the same echo chamber accomplishes little other than confirming our often-distorted perceptions of who is to blame.

This brings us to the title of this week’s Torah portion—“Re’eh,” which simply means “See!”

The parashah begins with Moses reminding the Israelites that how we face each day is a matter of choice. 

Will we follow a godly way? If so, life will be good to us.

If not, our lives will be laden with travail.

Perhaps the idea is overly simplistic. It is actually a variation of a philosophy permeating the final book of the Torah: We are the authors of our own destiny.

But this week, as I reread the parashah, I had trouble moving past the first word: “See.”

The poet, Paul Simon, once wrote: “A man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest.”

Perhaps it is the same with seeing.

Barely an hour passes these days, when someone does not forward a Tiktok or other post reinforcing their view of the world.

We no longer exchange perspectives or develop our own opinions based on a healthy exchange of facts and ideas.

We have evolved into a culture of sharing videos, memes, and social media posts. But are we really seeing?

You can “Google” any of your worst fears. Anyone can seek evidence to support Israel or not, politicians or not, vaccinations or not, conspiracies or not.

There is saying that “seeing is believing.” But who among us has not become a victim of the phrase, “I saw it on the Internet?”

And so, within today’s context, this week’s Torah portion throws out a challenge—to see not what we want to believe, or pursue images that please only our eyes—but to see with our hearts.

This world often seems so cold. But this week’s Torah portion lays out an ancient but still relevant antidote.

When you see someone in need. See with your heart.

When an organization requests your support to address poverty, homelessness, disease or injustice. See with your heart.

When we observe something wrong in the treatment of those who may not look, dress, love or believe the way we do, let us cling to timeless Jewish values, instructed for thousands of years by the Torah.

“See with your heart.”

There are many who offer easy answers. It seems everyone is looking for a messiah. "Influencers" and other supposed experts. And there are plenty to choose from.

But in the end, despite our quest for simple answers, all we have is our eyes and our hearts.

At the close of this week’s parashah, God commands us “to rejoice” when we celebrate our festivals.

But how can we be commanded to rejoice?

Our rabbis answer: Festivals were created to uplift us through community.

By celebrating our rituals, by bringing close those who are alone, poor, and lonely, religion and community elevate people away from their woes and enable us to rejoice together.

Purim, Sukkot, Chanukah, Rosh Hashanah.

As Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg sees it, “The commandment to rejoice is really a commandment to throw a party, to have a celebration, to bring people together, all the while making sure that even those most on the margins of society are included.”

It’s something to think about as we begin planning for the upcoming High Holidays. Who will we see around our table?

This week I received an email from a congregant asking that during the upcoming High Holidays, we make sure to walk the Torah from the front of the sanctuary to the rear, and then back twice each day.

He wrote: “For many, it’s also a time for people who have not seen each other for an entire year—to come out of their seats, say, “Hi,” catch up, and wish each other well.

“As noisy, distracting and time-consuming as it can be, it’s also nice, and adds to our socialization, our sense of community, familiarity, and CTI being a family.”

For when we greet and acknowledge each other within our Judaism, however unruly and confusing it may appear, we ensure that everyone feels seen.

In this world saturated by unfiltered media, each of us sees so much. Are we seeing just what we want to see?

Rather, in the month before Rosh Hashanah, let us take baby steps by watching less, surfing less, turning off our devices—as my wife and I did for 10 days—and embrace family.

This week’s Torah portion challenges us to choose between a society that espouses curses, and a world where positivity and blessings reside within family, friends and community.

The Torah tells us the choice is ours.

Which one will we choose?

Shabbat shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman