Back in 1996, Rabbi Finman was asked to speak to the niece of one of his students. After spending many hours answering her questions, the woman gave Rabbi Finman her e-mail address. Rabbi Finman wrote the woman a note and included in it a short insight into that week's Parsha and a short Chasidic story.

Realizing that this was something no one was yet doing,, Rabbi Finman sent the missive to his mailing list of about 30 people. Requests from recipients friends came pouring in. The next week Rabbi Finman sent the e-Parsha to 100 people. Within a year more than 2000 people were receiving it. Today, more than 14,000 receive the e-Parsha weekly and the requests keep coming in.

Ki Tetsei 5785
Shoftim 5785
Re'eh 5785
Eikev 5785
Vaeschanon 5785

Re'eh 5785

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YouParsha Re'eh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Mz4gQF0sU Do we really need a Temple?

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Parshas Re'eh, Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17 begins with the words, "See this day I give to you a blessing and a curse." Every word in this verse contains an allusion to the special nature of the service of the month of Elul, this upcoming month, and the Divine assistance we are given to fulfill it.

See - The first thing a Jew must do is to open their eyes. Our sense of sight affords a much more definitive verification of facts than does our sense of hearing. A person cannot be dissuaded when he sees something with his own eyes. A Jew's Divine service must be performed with this same level of absolute confidence and conviction. How can we, mere human beings living in a physical world, attain this level? The Almighty provides the answer in the next word of the verse:

I - Anochi - The word Anochi relates to the Essence of G'd, an aspect of G'dliness that is higher than Names. The reason we are able to achieve these lofty spiritual heights is because the power to do so is derived from this highest of Sources. The Torah continues:

Give - G'd gives us this Divine assistance according to the principle of "He who gives, gives generously". His gifts are bestowed willingly and in great abundance.

To you - Lifneichem - This word is related to the Hebrew word penimiyut, meaning "inside" and "within." The special boost we receive from Hashem during Elul is not superficial, but involves the sum and substance of the Jew and enables him to connect with G'd on the deepest level.

This day - Lest anyone think that this Divine assistance is granted only once, the Torah tells us that G'd's help is ongoing, enabling us to serve Him with renewed strength every day of the month. How are we to properly utilize this added dimension in our service?

A blessing and a curse - This refers to the observance of the Torah's positive commandments and the avoidance of its prohibitions. Directing our added capacity for returning to our source in these two directions will result in a good and sweet new year and a favorable inscription in the Book of Life.

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Rabbi Alexander Zusha (Benin)Bin-Nun - head of the Lubavitch public school system in Israel - visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1963. He asked the Rebbe what is self-sacrifice. The Rebbe responded that when performing a task it seems natural but by looking back at its accomplishment seems to have been difficult, indicates self-sacrifice. Complaining and groaning is only human nature.

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