Thinking about Re’eh - A D’var Torah for our time
(I wrote most of this commentary in 2007, as the 2008 campaign was in full swing - in the 30 days that followed after this interpretation first appeared, I attended events for Senator Barack Obama and Senator Sam Brownback. Now, its basic message - with some updates- becomes even more poignant)
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an economic situation that is difficult in the extreme. The question of opening up our communities — or not opening up—can be left for others to discuss, debate and decide.
The question in my mind is how to deal with people who are now unable to pay for their mortgages or rent, or for food, will be able to survive. There are many sources of assistance coming from communities in a voluntary way. The possibility of the continuation of government support is dim at the moment. The goal, under these unusual circumstances, should be to support people who would normally be supporting themselves through their employment, with, perhaps, some extra help.
The idea of providing a safety net for those who have the greatest need at any time finds expression in this week’s Torah reading. Deuteronomy, Chapter 15 (Re’eh) states both ideal and down-to-earth suggestions for how to deal with the continuing challenge of alleviating Vpoverty. Verse 4 of Chapter 15 declares, “There will be no needy among you if only you listen to
your Eternal God.” Verses 7 through 11 then present the realistic perspective: “If there is a needy person among you….do not harden your
heart or shut your hand. Give to a person in need readily and without regrets, for in return your Eternal God will bless you in all your undertakings. For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land…open your hand to the poor and needy in your land.”
This passage seems to contradict itself, but it did, quite simply, offer a prescription after setting the ultimate goal. In other words, this passage might be understood in this way: “Listen to the teaching that says that people should not harden their hearts towards those in need but, instead, they should open their hand and give without regret…THEN there will be no
people in need, trapped in poverty.”
Perhaps this paragraph from the Torah can guide us as we listen to candidates and leaders, especially now, speak about the solutions they propose to enable people to continue to acquire what they need for food, shelter and a measure of comfort during our current situation and in its aftermath. Maybe it can spur some of those leaders to move beyond their current inaction.
Let us hope that our communities and nation still have the ability to provide for people in need with openness, concern and generosity.
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