Reeh (Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17)

The portion is named Reeh, literally "See!" or "Behold!", because it begins with God telling
the people that he is setting two options before them: a blessing and a curse.

This week's portion begins with the two options given to the Israelites: the blessing, which they will receive if they keep God's laws, and the curse, which will come upon them if they deviate from God's way and worship idols. Upon arriving in Canaan, they are to set the blessing and curse on two mountains in the Shecem (Nablus) area: Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (this command is fulfilled in Joshua 8).

In order to keep God's commandments, the Israelites are told to abolish all signs of idolatry in Canaan, and to worship God only in the one place which he shall choose, and bring all their offerings there. For those who are far away from this place, it is explained how one may eat meat without bringing it as a sacrifice, a problem the Israelites do not face in the desert when they are all gathered in one place.

The Israelites are warned of a number of different bad influences that may arise from amongst them: a false prophet who preaches for idolatry; a relative who entices other relatives to worship idols, or a group trying to entice an entire city. All these offenders are to be punished by death, and if the entire city did in fact follow the enticers, it should be destroyed and never rebuilt.

Moses lists all the animals which are considered pure and permissible for consumption, signs for recognizing some of these animals, and specific mention of some animals which are not pure.

As part of the tithes from the land, some of the produce is to be eaten in the place which God shall choose for his worship. Tithes are also given to the Levites and the poor.

A very special biblical commandment is that of the Shmitta, the release given to the land
every seven years. Not only the land is given rests, but according to Deuteronomy 15 there is also a remission of all debts. As part of this social conception, the people are commanded to help out a brother in need, and also not to refuse to loan money to one in need because the Shmitta year is approaching. A person who behaves that way can expect punishment.

Israelites are permitted to buy Israelite slaves, but must release them after six years, and give them a share of crops so that they will have something to start out with. The Israelites must always remember that they were slaves in Egypt and treat slaves fairly. A slave who wishes to remain with his master can do so, but will be marked on the earlobe with an awl.

At the end of the potion, there is a list of the three times a year when the Israelites are supposed to come to the place God chooses and bring offerings to him: Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles. The list includes the length of the holidays and how they are to be celebrated.