Reeh 5773

“…you shall seek out His Presence and come there.” (Devarim/Deuteronomy 12:5)

“Bend your ear and come to Me.” (Yishayahu/Isaiah 55:3)

Rabbi Yisroel Jungreis on hineni.org observes that there appears to be a discrepancy in the Torah verse. He asks why Torah does not first mention the “coming there” (going to the Temple in Jerusalem, or as Rashi notes, to the Mishkan [Tabernacle] in Shiloh) and there, in that holy place, find G-d.

Writes Rabbi Jungreis: “The Torah is teaching us a very profound lesson, one which we should incorporate into our everyday lives. If we are bent on finding G-d – no matter where we may be, no matter how far we may have distanced ourselves from Him – if we truly seek Him, we will find Him.”

On Wednesday, August 7 this year, the Hebrew month of Elul begins. Elul is an acronym for Ani l’Dodi v’Dodi Li (I am my beloved and my beloved is mine). This verse from Shir haShirim (Song of Songs) signifies our loving relationship with Hashem. According to Chassidic wisdom, during the month of Elul, G-d comes out of His palace and stands waiting in the fields, accessible and ready to greet us.

The verse immediately after the Haftorah implores: “Seek the L-rd while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” (Yishayahu/Isaiah 55:6)

Dear parents, this is the month to intensify our Torah studies; pray with greater concentration and articulation; say blessings with precision and forethought; and do mitzvot (commandments) with more care. Let your children see how you draw close to Hashem. Show them that G-d can be found whenever we seek Him and wherever we make room for Him.

http://www.hineni.org/learn/torah-thoughts/parshas-reeh