Machshava:

Chinuch 

Parsha:

Re'eh 

Collections: R' Goldin Parenting from the Parsha

Description

In the middle of this week’s parsha, Moshe issues a rousing and inspiring description of our unique connection to the Almighty, as he declares, “Banim atem laHashem Elokeichem”, “You are children to Hashem, your G-d…”- then abruptly the passuk continues with instructions to the nation not to cut themselves nor make a bald spot between their eyes when mourning the dead. When we imagine G-d as our father, we think of a loving parent who sustains us and gives us all that we need. Based on that imagery, we would’ve expected the continuation of the passuk to describe all the wonderful things that G-d gives us as an expression of this father-child relationship. Why does the Torah instead reference restrictions that Hashem places on us? In what way are restrictions- any restrictions- a demonstration of His being our Father?!