Rabbi Straub observes, in his LGBTQ perspective, that in Re’eh, everything is understood as black and white; everything is either “good” or “bad”. Everything that is not “good” must be destroyed. He observes that the text seems to invent, or emphasize, intolerance in its instructions to destroy evidence of Canaanite presence, etc.
Anat Barber questions why Moses is retelling the narrative, including the negatives as well as the positives. His message, she states, is that he is reinforcing the power and value of memory.
Moses frames this parashah with a blessing and a curse at the beginning, and a choice between good and evil at the end. Rabbi Sacks cites Maimonides, who interpreted the passages as free will. He extends his discussion to observe that this is first attempt to create a free society in history.
Adon Olam Medley
Cantor Azi Schwartz
Cantor Gideon Zelermyer
Cantor Naftali Hershtik
Cantor Netanel Hershtik
Cantor Chaim David Berson
Cantor Nati Baram
The Hampton Synagogue
Thanksgiving Concert 2017
70th Birthday Tribute to Cantor Naftali Herstik