Have you ever had second thoughts about deciding whether to lend a hand, give a donation, or volunteer your time? Not because you didn’t want to help, but because the moment required something more: intention, choice, and sometimes even discomfort. Parshat Re’eh meets us in precisely that space—the moment of decision—and asks us not just to see the world, but to respond to it.
Parshat Re’eh opens with a powerful proposition: “See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse.” (Deut. 11:26) What follows is a wide-ranging vision for the society the Israelites are meant to build in the Promised Land. It includes laws about worship, kashrut, festivals, and, centrally, economic justice. The Torah demands that we open our hands and our hearts: “If there is a needy person among you … do not harden your heart or shut your hand … but you shall surely open your hand.” (Deut. 15:7–8)
This call to generosity is more than social advice; it’s a mitzvah. And with mitzvot, we offer blessings not only over food or prayer, but also over acts of justice. Before giving tzedakah, many say:
“Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu, melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al ha’tzedakah.”
Blessed are you … who sanctified us with commandments and commanded us regarding tzedakah.
This blessing reminds us that giving isn’t optional. It’s not just charity, it’s a sacred act that brings holiness into the world. The Torah doesn’t say we should give when it’s convenient, or when we feel emotionally moved. It says, “You shall surely open your hand.” The double verb in Hebrew “patoach tiftach” emphasizes urgency and wholeheartedness.
Re’eh means “see.” See the needs of others, see the blessings in your own life, and then act. Sometimes it’s a little too easy to turn away, but Parshat Re’eh calls us to live with open eyes and open hands. This week, may we not only see the path of blessing, but choose to walk it generously, justly, and with hearts wide open.
Rabbi Eve Posen 