Our Congregation

Greetings friends

We have a new moon approaching—the new moon of Virgo—ushering in the month of healing.  It also marks the last month of the Hebrew year, the only month with no holidays so we can focus on what we need to do to prepare for the Ten Days of Awe, Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur.

The process of self-examination has begun, and this week we read the parsha called “re’eh,” which means “see,” and the lead up to the ten days of self-examination is the time to see ourselves.  We can see where fear rules and where we need to overcome it.  Remember, fear is the great enemy, the thief of time, because fear kills more dreams than failure ever will or can.

Maybe the directors of the Toronto Film Festival can use the time to see themselves and begin the examination of why they rescinded the invitation for the film highlighting a rescue during the October 7 Hamas slaughter of innocent Israelis, because they didn’t feel proper clearance from the terrorists for their filming of the incident was sufficient.

Fortunately, within a few days, they changed their minds, but the insult to Jewry is everywhere and not stopping.  Haters do not stop hating. They simply move on to new hates.  They do not take the time to examine themselves and see why they do what they do.

Use the time now to “see” how you look at life. If you’re happy, how can you enhance it?  if you’re not, how can you change it?  Do you identify with others and see similarities, or do you line up and choose sides in the bipolar world of black/white, good/bad, happy/sad, love/hate world we can live in.

It is through our ego that we see the self and the other. For a separate me to exist, there must be a you, and to be healthy, we see what we need to be free within and to be vulnerable, sharing, and caring.  We see both, but not as opposites.

This week we are again put in the world of “either/or” as the warning of blessings and curses becomes such a reality that giant stelae will be erected on two mountains outlining the blessings and the curses we may face.

Is it any wonder we have carried that bipolar world with us through time?  It takes effort to change, to see there is a myriad of choices even between “a” and “b.”

All seeing comes from within, not without. What you see is a reflection of how you feel.  What you see is a mirror of who you are at that moment.

This week, Moses presents highlights of the clean and unclean foods and a reader’s digest summary of the three gathering festivals – Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.  Remember, Deuteronomy is the retelling of the law – the book of repetition of what we learned before, but there are always some changes.  How do you know which to follow, especially when you are told no adding, no subtracting?  Have faith in how you choose to practice, and let no one criticize you.  There is no right and wrong other than the right and wrong you, as an individual, let govern your soul.

Remember, the emphasis in this book is on the words you use.  Think of them.  Be loving and kind and appreciative in your choices.  Your words have more meaning than you realize.  Be careful with them.  They have weight.  They have gravitas.  They have power. They are your superpower.

This week, we begin to really notice there are additions and subtractions, but wait, weren’t we told there were to be none?  And why are we told there have been none when we can see them?

How do you know?  One of the great questions of time.

This week, we see the choices of blessings will be carved on one mountain and curses on the other.  The choice is yours.  We perpetuate this bipolar world of this or that and miss the myriad of so much in between.  Spend time in between.

Enjoy this week’s reading and keep practicing forgiveness, kindness, and acceptance. Use this time to continue to forgive those you need to forgive, and ask forgiveness from those you need to seek forgiveness from, and give thanks and celebrate your freedom and joy. Do not succumb to fear, and please feel free to share this audio and video with anyone you think might enjoy it. And, of course, enjoy all of our past audio and video episodes on our YouTube channel.   This episode will be posted on our channel. Click here to watch the Rabbi David Gellman Show in the 2025 cycle.

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Thank you all for allowing me into your homes, electronic devices, and into your hearts as you are all with me in mine.

Be well, be happy, be healthy, be free, be kind, be forgiving, be compassionate, be independent of mind and deed, be mindful of your intentions, and be good to yourself.  Continue to celebrate freedom of choice in your life, and do not give in to the fear that is so prevalent, and enjoy the peace that comes from acceptance. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to say “hi,” please send me an email.  I love hearing from you.

Remember, anytime you do not want to receive these anymore, please send me an email so I can remove you.  And know that I truly appreciate you sharing your sacred time with me.

Enjoy and celebrate your life and the lives of others. In doing so, be happy, and may you all sow the seeds of and reap the rewards of peace, love, and miracles, and make sure you also celebrate your unique individuality and your incredible awesomeness.

Continue celebrating love; continue celebrating freedom; send renewal and goodwill out to everyone in the world. It is an energy that cannot be stopped. Be a growing beacon of light, and remember, your world is what you make it.  Just wish upon a star and continue to be a miracle in someone’s life and light the light of love.

Blessings

RD