Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: When G‑d gathers His people's exiles, the Israelites will once again serve G‑d, and will be blessed with abundance in the work of their hands, the fruit of their wombs, the fruit of their land, and the fruit of their livestock. Moshe enjoined the people to follow the mitzvot, informing them that "it is not beyond you nor is it remote from you. It is not in heaven... It is not across the sea.... Rather, it is very close to you, in your mouth, in your heart, that you may do it."

The last three words of the portion are very instructive. Thoughts, words, deeds. Teshuva, repentance, certainly contains all three elements. One must act repentant, by stopping to do the particular sin and by doing the mitzva. He must sincerely regret having done wrong and accept the proper path for his future. This is in the realm of thought. And Verbal confession to G-d is an essential ingredient of the T'shuva process. So too, one can see that many mitzvot - the whole Torah, really, is kept with words, thoughts, and deeds. This isn't really an either-or situation. The Aliya can apply both to the general and the specific.

Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe informed the Israelites what will occur after they are exiled from their land due to their sins. Eventually they will wholeheartedly return to G‑d, and G‑d will gather them from the furthest reaches of the heavens and return them to the land of their forefathers. At that point, Moshe says, "G‑d will 'circumcise' your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you may love the L-rd your G‑d with all your heart and with all your soul."

There's another way we can look at things here: Teshuva is a gift from G-d. He doesn't have to command it, He just has to let it be possible, and we should jump at the opportunity. The Torah doesn't have to tell us to repent, just how to do it. Yet Vidui, verbal confession, is a positive commandment. That means that doing something good for ourselves (eliminating harmful behavior) is not only good for us inherently, but also earns us double points (could this be the origin??).

Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: In this week's reading, Nitzavim-Vayelech, Moshe gathers the Israelites on the day of his passing to enter them into a covenant with G‑d. He warns of the exile and desolation of the Land that will result when Israel abandons G‑d's laws, but assures them that they will eventually repent, and G‑d will then return His people to the Holy Land. This Parsha also talks about freedom of choice and the mitzvah of teshuva (repentance). Moshe transferred leadership to Joshua and wrote a Torah scroll which he handed over to the Levites. Moshe commanded the Israelites to gather following every Sabbatical year.

Aliya Summary: On the final day of his earthly life, Moshe gathered all the Israelites -- men, women, and children -- to enter them into a covenant with G‑d, establishing the Israelites as G‑d's exclusive nation. Moshe warned the Israelites not to be tempted by the idolatrous lifestyles of the Egyptians and the other sundry nations through which they had passed in the course of their travels. Moshe warned of the dire consequences which will befall the individual, family, or tribe, which would forsake their covenant with G‑d. This section concludes with the concept of communal responsibility for not appropriately punishing individual sinners.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe reminds the Jews of all the miracles which have been their lot from when G‑d took them out of Egypt until that very day. He concludes by saying that it is therefore incumbent upon them to follow G‑d's covenant.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya continues with the aforementioned blessings, and then launches a lengthy description of all the maledictions and suffering which will befall the Jews when they neglect the mitzvot.

"But, if we don't listen to G-d..." Thus begins the "Tochacha". The admonition against disobedience of Torah. There is a custom of reading this part in a low voice because of how devastating it is to realize that G-d needs to warn us in such graphic terms, what will happen if the Jewish People do not remain faithful to Him. Regrettably, we need these harsh words of reproach. Unfortunately, they have turned out to be prophetic more than once. The Tochacha is contained within one Aliya (resulting in the longest Aliya in the Torah) so as not to prolong the discomfort in hearing it.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The Jewish people are instructed to proclaim blessings and curses on Mts. Grizzim and Ebal. The elders of the Levite Tribe together with the Holy Ark stood between the two mountains, and six tribes were stationed atop each mountain. The Leviim and priests faced each mountain alternately, and stated the blessing and curses. At the end of the Aliya, we are told of the bountiful blessings which will shower us if we hearken to G‑d's commandments.

The setup for this entire exercise is curious: The fact that mountains represent blessings and curses is strange enough, but to have the tribes stand on one of the mountains is even stranger. If the mountains represent distinct and mutually exclusive choices we make in our lives, then why have (seemingly) random tribes stand on each of them? This requires much more research, but what strikes me in all of this is the similarity to many motivational speakers who make you visualize and verbalize your dreams and goals. It's one thing to study, talk and imagine something, and quite another to be actively involved in it, probably why schools use this method to teach children about important concepts. Standing on these mountains makes it more real and mandates participation. This might explain the importance of Shul, regardless of actual participation in the davening (service), much like the tribes standing on the mountain and answering "Amen", their attendance (and ours in Shul) does more than we may know or realize.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The Jews are instructed to gather large stones when they cross the Jordan River. These stones were to be plastered, and the entire Torah was to be engraved upon them. Another set of stones was also to be inscribed with the entire Torah, and be set on Mt. Ebal.

Moshe, the kohanim and Leviim, say to all the people, "on this very day you have become G-d's nation". Rashi says that the Torah emphasized "this very day" to teach us that our commitment to Torah and mitzvot should be as if we have entered into a covenant with G-d on this very day - everyday. We are challenged to refreshen our Judaism constantly.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe admonishes the Jews to observe G‑d's commandments; reminding them that they have selected Him to be their god, and He, in turn, has chosen them to be His holy and treasured nation.

To follow in G-d's footsteps means to develop and practice various traits that are attributed to G-d. As He is called merciful, so too shall we be merciful. As He is called holy, so too must we behave in ways that lead to our becoming holy. From general traits, we can also use specific examples - as G-d clothes the naked, visits the sick, buries the dead, comforts the grieving... so too must we do those kinds of things.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: During Temple times, Jewish farmers were required to separate from their produce several different tithes. These were distributed to the priests, the Levites, the poor, and one tithe which was eaten by its owners in Jerusalem. The different tithes were not all given each year, rather there was a three-year cycle. In this Aliya, the Torah gives the procedure to be followed on the day before Passover during those years which followed the conclusion of a cycle. The farmer was to declare that he has performed all his tithing duties and then beseeches G‑d to bless His people and the Land.

The Passuk says: "I have not transgressed Your mitzvot, and I have not forgotten..." Says the Sfat Emet - I have not forgotten that You are the One Who has commanded me to do the mitzvot. Furthermore, the statement implies that the individual did only that which he was required to do, and did not (often) go beyond the call of duty. Or perhaps we did a mitzva sort of like it is supposed to be done, but maybe without full intent (i.e. prayers). This is an important message as we approach Rosh HaShana, when we have to answer for what - and how - we do mitzvot.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: The Israelites are commanded to bring the first of their fruit to the Temple, and to deliver all tithes to their proper recipients. Moshe explains how the blessings and curses are to be proclaimed on Mts. Grizzim and Ebal when the Jewish nation enters into Israel. He then details the blessings they will receive for following the commandments of the Torah, and the calamities which will result from disregarding them.

Aliya Summary: This Aliya introduces us to the mitzvah of bikurim, the requirement to bring one's first fruits to the Holy Temple. This mitzvah applies to fruits and produce grown in the land of Israel, and only those for which the land of Israel is praised: wheat, barley, dates, figs, grapes, pomegranates and olives. When in the Temple, the owner of the fruits recites a brief thanksgiving prayer to G‑d and presents the produce to the priests.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tetzei, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: We are forbidden to withhold or delay a worker's wages. Relatives' testimony is inadmissible in a court of law. Various mandatory gifts for the poor are discussed. The procedure for corporal punishment is outlined. The mitzvah of Levirate marriage (yibum) is introduced: if a married childless man dies, his brother is obligated to marry the widow. If the brother refuses to marry the widow, he and she go through a chalitzah ceremony, which frees her to marry whomever she wishes. We are instructed to maintain accurate weights and measures. The reading ends with the mitzvah to remember Amalek's evil deed, ambushing the Israelites on their way from Egypt.

We may not take unfair advantage of our less-fortunate workers.A day- laborer must be paid on time. One must not pervert justice even on behalf of an orphan. Securities for a loan must not be taken from a widow. Our experience in Egypt is to be remembered as the motive for many of these "sensitizing" mitzvot.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tetzei, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: More mitzvot: A newlywed man is exempt from military service for a full year. It is forbidden to accept utensils used to prepare food as loan security or to forcibly take a debtor's possessions as collateral, and a poor man's security must be temporarily returned to him on a daily basis. Kidnapping is a capital offense. We are commanded to always remember that Miriam was afflicted with tzara'at for speaking badly about Moshe.

We are instructed to be cautious and meticulous about tzara'at, the affliction for speaking Lashon Hara (slander about others). As if the double warning wasn't enough to make the point, the very next Passuk (24:9) tells us to remember what happened to Miriam when she spoke Lashon Hara about Moshe. Obviously two Pessukim (verses) and three warnings means that Lashon Hara is a pretty big deal. Sifri explains that the first two warnings are for us not to hide the symptoms if afflicted with tzara'at (do not peel the skin or cut away any spots), which makes sense if the symptoms are to serve as a deterrent. As for Miriam: Lashon Hara differs from defamation in that its focus is on the use of true speech for a wrongful purpose, rather than falsehood and harm arising. Surely Miriam justified her words with the benefits of speaking, but the ends didn't justify the means. The third warning is then to avoid that justification that even Miriam can fall for.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tetzei, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya details the right of field workers to eat from the produce they are harvesting. The Torah then briefly discusses marriage and the bill of divorce. A divorced couple cannot remarry if the woman has been remarried to another man (and divorced again or widowed) in the interim.

From ou.org: We see a beautiful balance in the area of Torah Law as it relates to boss-worker relations. On the one hand, the worker is allowed to eat from that which he picks. On the other hand, he cannot do this while he is actually working, as this would reduce his efficiency, thereby result in stealing from his boss. On the other hand, the boss must provide breaks during the day, when the worker is allowed to eat. On the other hand, the worker may not take any of the fruits home with him, without permission. The Mishna further says that a worker should not misuse this Torah-granted right, lest his boss spread the word that others should not hire this particular worker. The Mishna also explains that an employer is required to feed his workers according to prevailing custom in his locale. Boss may not take advantage of worker, and worker may not take advantage of their boss.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tetzei, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Some commandments discussed in this Aliya: maintaining pure and hygienic army encampments, impurity resulting from seminal emissions, prohibition against prostitution, prohibition against lending with interest, and the obligation to honor vows.

In addition to weapons, when going to war we must take with us a stake, so we wouldn't have to use our hands when relieving ourselves in the field. Why? Because G-d will be with us, and He shouldn't see anything unseemly. Since there's nothing G-d doesn't see, this commandment is for us to heighten our sensitivity to hygiene and appearance, and easily translated to current daily life. In high school I had one Rabbi that always kept himself and his clothes so clean and neat, and he impressed the importance for us to look presentable and proper because of what we represent (the fact that I remember this about him says a lot too). I'm not saying that we need to carry Purrell with us, but we need to be conscious of our appearance and cleanliness.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tetzei, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Some commandments discussed in this Aliya: Building a safety fence around a flat roof; the prohibitions against sowing mixtures of seeds, plowing with a mixed pair of animals, or wearing a garment which contains a mixture of wool and linen (shatnez); wearing tzitzit; the penalty for a husband who defames his wife; the punishment for adultery; the penalty for rape; and certain prohibited marriages.

Of all the things for the Torah to be concerned about, requiring a person who builds a house with a flat roof to build a fence so that people won't fall off seems a bit irrelevant to most people. But the Midrash explains that this is meant to be a global inclusive obligation to address all hazards we may create. That includes driving unsafely, smoking near others, or any other activity that might endanger others. But this also extends to all commandments, requiring us to prevent accidental transgressions. That's why, for example, we shouldn't touch pens on Shabbat, because we may accidentally write, etc. It turns out that a seemingly exclusive rule ends up providing us with all-inclusive direction.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tetzei, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Commandments discussed in this Aliya: Speedy burial of the deceased, returning a lost object to its owner, aiding a neighbor when his animal has fallen because of its burden, the prohibition against cross-dressing, and the obligation to send away a mother bird before taking its chicks or eggs.

This Aliya stresses caring in general. We must care about others' lost objects (to the point where we must take care of it until they claim it), we must help others reload their donkey if the load fell (that might extend to flat tires or accidents), and we must care about a mother bird's feelings when taking her eggs. Does it mean that if we follow these rules we care about other people and birds? Not necessarily, but as Rav Dessler explains, the more we do for others, the more we like them (contrary to logic dictating the opposite). Why wait for someone to do something for you in order to appreciate them, when you can do something for them and get the same (if not better) result!

Daily Aliya for Ki Tetzei, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: This week's reading, Ki Teitzei, contains 74 commandments, more mitzvot than any other Torah portion. Some of the commandments discussed: the law of the rebellious son, the obligation to bury the dead without undue delay, the requirement to return a found object, the prohibition against causing pain to any living creature, the prohibition against prostitution, the laws of marriage and divorce, the procedure of the Levirate marriage, and the obligation to eradicate the memory of Amalek.

Aliya Summary: This Aliya begins with a discussion regarding female captives of war, and lays down the conditions under which a soldier may marry a captive. The right of a firstborn son to a double portion of his father's inheritance is then detailed. The section concludes with the procedure for dealing with an aberrantly rebellious child.

Daily Aliya for Shoftim, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Before waging battle against an enemy in battle, we are commanded to make a peaceful overture. Only if the enemy does not accept the offer does battle ensue. In the battles against the Canaanite nations, if the enemy does not agree to the peace offer, the Israelites are commanded to completely annihilate them. We are forbidden to cut down fruit-bearing trees while laying siege on a city. The Aliya closes with the procedure to be followed in the event of an unsolved murder.

This Aliya includes an extremely important concept. While waging war, we are forbidden from cutting down fruit-bearing trees in the sieged city (even if the space is needed to fight the war). Of all things to be concerned about while waging war, why is this included? The answer is because the concept of wasting/destroying needlessly is simply that important! It extends to everything we do, from wasting food, breaking or throwing something useful away, to wasting someone else's time by showing up late to a meeting. It's those seemingly ancillary things that deserve our consideration too!

Daily Aliya for Shoftim, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary (from chabad.org and ou.org): A minimum of two witnesses are required to secure a conviction in a capital or corporal punishment case. Individuals who testify falsely are liable to receive the punishment which they sought to have imposed upon their innocent victim. The procedure for battle is outlined in this Aliya . When approaching the battlefield, a Kohen addresses the troops, admonishing them not to fear the enemy, and listing the various individuals who are exempt from military duty, such as one who has recently betrothed a woman or built a new home, or a fainthearted and fearful person.

One may not encroach upon another's territory. Although stealing is already forbidden, this prohibition extends to other forms of encroachment, e.g. unfair competition that steals someone's business. Can a particular neighborhood support two pizza shops, or is the second one in violation of this prohibition? The new lawyer who has just passed the bar gets some clients that used to belong to an older lawyer in the community. There are many situations which might not "qualify" under the letter of the law, but would be a violation of the spirit of this prohibition. The solution? A heightened degree of sensitivity to what the ramifications of one's action will be.

Daily Aliya for Shoftim, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: We have no need for the previously-mentioned abominable practices because we are blessed with prophets who transmit G‑d's messages to His people. We are commanded to obey these prophets. This Aliya prescribes the punishments for non-compliance with prophets' words, as well as for an individual who falsely claims to speak in G‑d's name. This Aliya then reiterates the command to establish cities of refuge for the inadvertent murderer. Moshe commands the Jews to designate six such cities, and when G‑d expands the borders of the land (with the coming of Moshiach) to add another three cities of refuge.

This concept of a prophet was borne by the Jews' request to not hear G-d's voice directly when receiving the Torah. As a result, we are faced with the difficult task of distinguishing between true and false prophets. We must be careful to reject the false prophet, yet we must harbor no suspicion of the true prophet (once he has demonstrated his "credentials"). Once confirmed, there are still rules that must be followed: The prophet must not change the Torah, command to perform idolatry, and we must reject false prophets, however unpopular the notion might seem. Tough tasks for all involved, which is perhaps why they're not around these days.

Daily Aliya for Shoftim, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Although the Priestly families were divided into many shifts, each serving in the Temple in their designated turn, a Kohen always retains the right to come to the Temple and personally offer his personal sacrifices. This Aliya then contains prohibitions against divination, fortunetelling and similar occult practices. Instead of probing into the future we are commanded to put our faith and trust in G‑d.

The implication here is that we must not "learn to do" the terrible things, but we may learn about them in order to understand their ways and to better instruct our fellow Jews in this topic. (Tur Shulchan Aruch, based on the Gemara). This can be applied to countering groups dedicated to targeting Jews, such as Jews for Jesus. We are instructed to "know how to respond" to such occult and cult tactics.

Daily Aliya for Shoftim, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The Kohanim were chosen by G‑d to be His holy servants. They do not receive an inheritance (portion) in the Land of Israel, because "G‑d is their inheritance." Instead, the Kohanim are the beneficiaries of various priestly gifts; selections of meat from certain sacrifices, as well as tithes from crops and animal shearings.

The three sections of the animal that the Kohanim get to keep are the foreleg, the jaw (tongue) and part of the intestines. Rashi explains that this corresponds to the story of Pinchas, when Pinchas raised his hand (foreleg is the equivalent of the hand), prayed (tongue) and stabbed the transgressors through the stomach (intestines).It's the butterfly effect, where one string of actions leads to perpetual benefit for every generation that follows, that we should all wish to emulate. You never know what one act of kindness, one little Mitzvah (which may not be so little if we realized its butterfly effect), one smile, can perpatuate.

Daily Aliya for Shoftim, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe instructs the Israelites to coronate a king after they enter Israel. A Jewish king may not amass an excessive amount of horses, wives, or personal wealth. The king writes for himself two Torah scrolls. One of them remains with him at all times -- a constant reminder to remain humble and follow G‑d's Law.

The reason given for the people wanting a king is in order to be like all the other nations around us (17:14), which doesn't seem like a very good or noble reason for wanting a king. And yet G-d tells us that it's alright, so long as we choose and act appropriately. Like wearing Tzitzit under our shirts, and many other Mitzvot, there are ways to be "normal" and yet be different, ways to be better without teasing others about it. So the Torah allows us to have a king, to have other "normal" things (armies, clothes), but have it with higher standards than anyone else.

Daily Aliya for Shoftim, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: This week's reading, Shoftim, addresses fundamental issues pertaining to the leadership of the Jewish people. It begins with a discussion regarding judges, and later discusses the concept of the kings, prophets, and the kohanim (priests). Many commandments are introduced in this weeks reading, including: appointing judges, the obligation to follow Rabbinic Law and the words of the prophets, the obligations of a king, the punishment for perjury, laws of war, and the procedure for dealing with unsolved murders.

Aliya Summary: We are commanded to appoint judges in every city of Israel. These judges are instructed to adjudicate fairly. Capital punishment is prescribed for idolatry, and various idolatrous practices are banned. The sacrifices we offer to G‑d must be unblemished. We must follow the rulings of the Sanhedrin, the Rabbinic Supreme Court, and the Oral Law. Refusal to accept the Sanhedrin's authority is a capital offense.

Daily Aliya for Re'eh, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The male firstborn of kosher cattle must be consecrated and given to the Kohen to eat. If the animal is unblemished it is first offered as a sacrifice in the Temple. The Torah reading concludes with a discussion regarding the three festivals: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. In addition to some laws regarding each of these festivals individually, we are commanded to rejoice during the festivals and all males must be in attendance in the Holy Temple during these holidays.

Being commanded to rejoice seems like an oxymoron, but just like the commandment to love G-d, and others, these are what's known as the "duties of the heart", which is the result of proper determinations by the mind. 

Daily Aliya for Re'eh, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe commands the Israelites to designate every seventh year as a Shmitah (Sabbatical) Year. During this year, creditors must forgive outstanding loans. The section then discusses the obligation to give charity to the poor with a happy heart, and to lend them money if necessary, even if the Shmitah Year is looming. A Jewish slave must be freed after six years of service and must be given generous severance gifts as he departs.

Because the Torah prescribes a mandatory seven-year reset button on loans, it's conceivable that as you get closer to the reset, people would stop lending, knowing if they don't get repaid shortly, they'll lose their money. Therefore, the Torah urges us to do whatever we can to help others, and if the recipient refuses to accept donations, find other ways to help, like loans, finding them jobs, and even a spouse!

Daily Aliya for Re'eh, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: After giving a tenth of one's crops to the Levite, a tenth of the remainder -- the "Second Tithe" -- is to be taken and eaten within the confines of Jerusalem. Provision is made here for people who live far away from Jerusalem for whom it would be unfeasible to transport so much produce. Instead they may exchange the produce for money which is then taken to Jerusalem and spent on food. There is a three-year tithing cycle. After the conclusion of each cycle, we are commanded to purge our homes of any overdue tithes, give them to their intended recipients, and recite a brief prayer.

We must take the second tithe to Jerusalem and spend it there (forced vacation), and if it's too much (good problem to have), we may covert it to cash and spend it as we see fit, within the confines of Jerusalem. And this is meant for us to learn to fear G-d all of our days (Passuk 14:23). How exactly does this invoke fear? I believe one possible explanation could be that when we separate tithe from our own produce as G-d instructed, we've taken the first step of understanding our place in the world. When we bring it to Jerusalem to enjoy, along with everyone else who's done the same thing, the experience transforms into a much more shared communal reality. Suddenly all your senses are involved: You see the people and produce others bring (and implied success granted to them), you taste the foods you've brought, you smell everyone else's imported fruits. These individual experience don't solicit fear, but they do teach us of the ever-present reach that G-d has on everything that we have and are. That realization should lead to love, reverence and ultimately fear of G-d for all that we depend on Him for.

Daily Aliya for Re'eh, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: As G‑d's children, we are forbidden to deface our bodies with tattoos or via other forms of mutilation. This section then provides a list of kosher animals and non-kosher fowl. We are also given signs to distinguish between kosher animals and fish and their non-kosher counterparts. The section concludes with the prohibitions against eating meat from an animal which was not properly slaughtered, and against cooking meat with milk.

In the spirit of the positive commandment to check for kashrut, it appears that this Mitzvah does not only include checking animals, birds and fish for signs, but looking for the kashrut symbol on packaged products or the kashrut certificate in restaurants.

Daily Aliya for Re'eh, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe admonishes the Israelites not to be lured by the heathen abominable practices of the Canaanites, and to remain true to the Torah; neither adding to nor subtracting from its laws. A person professing to be a prophet who claims to bring instructions from G‑d to worship idols must be put to death. This is true even if the individual performs supernatural acts or accurately predicts the future. This section also prescribes the death penalty for one who attempts to entice others to idolatry, and the catastrophic price paid by a city which has completely succumbed to idolatry.

In an extremely loaded Aliya, sometimes the strongest messages are the ones that don't need to be analyzed. The Passuk (13:5) says that You shall 1) follow G-d, 2) fear Him, 3) keep His commandments, 4) heed His voice, 5) worship Him, and 6) cleave to Him. Since most of these directives seem redundant, Rashi, Sifri and the Gemara team up to explain the different references, as follows: 1) Follow G-d - basic understanding of following the Mitzvot (commandments), 2) Fear Him - fear would be a natural by-product of understand all that G-d controls and provides for us, 3) Keep His commandments - follow the oral tradition (Rashi), 4) Heed His voice - listen to the true prophets (relevant in times of the prophets), 5) Worship Him - in the temple (relevant when temple was around), and most relevant to us today, 6) cleave to him - Cleave to His ways by bestowing kindness, burying the dead, and visiting the sick, just as G-d did (Gemara).

Daily Aliya for Re'eh, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Although it is forbidden to offer sacrifices in any location other than the one designated by G‑d, it is permitted to slaughter cattle for consumption purposes, but blood may never be eaten. The consumption of various tithes and sundry sacred foods is also restricted to the designated holy city.

This Aliya contains the commandment to rejoice before G-d, not just us personally, but our children, employees, and everyone around us. How is it our responsibility to make sure everyone around us is happy? Well, this Passuk is preceded by one describing the place where offerings are brought before G-d, and is followed by a warning to avoid bringing offerings just anywhere, but to instead use designated areas. The Torah guides us by explaining what we should do, how to do it and how not to do things. If we follow the recipe for life, we can't help but end up with a delicious dish, one which everyone around us can enjoy. In fact, others enjoying is part of the recipe!

Daily Aliya for Re'eh, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: In this week's reading, Re'eh, Moshe continues addressing the Israelites just before he passes away; just before the Israelites cross the Jordan River and enter the land of Israel. Moshe commands the Israelites to proclaim certain blessings and curses on Mount Grizzim and Mount Eval after they enter the land of Israel. He directs them to destroy all vestiges of idolatry from the Promised Land. They must then designate a city where the Divine presence will dwell in the Holy Temple, and they are forbidden from offering sacrifices elsewhere. Other topics discussed in this portion are: tithes, false prophets, the wayward city, tattoos, kashrut, the Sabbatical Year, charity, and the festivals.

Aliya Summary: Moshe informs the Israelites that they can be the recipients of either blessings or curses -- blessings if they obey G‑d's commandments, and curses if they do not. He further instructs them to proclaim blessings on Mount Grizzim and curses on Mount Ebal -- the exact procedure of this ceremony will be described in the Ki Tavo Torah reading (Deuteronomy 27:11-16). Moshe then commands the Israelites to destroy all idols and their accessories that they will find when they enter Israel. He informs the nation that in the future G‑d will designate a specific location (Jerusalem) where He will choose to rest His Presence. All sacrifices must be offered in this location.