Lecture Notes: Torah Portion - Re'eh

Introduction

• Begin with a prayer focusing on seeing as per the Torah portion Re'eh.
• Participants from various regions including South Carolina, Florida, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Ohio, Alaska, and Mexico.
• Announcement for the need for support for live broadcasts with translation.

Key Themes & Messages

• Re'eh (To See): Focus on what God sees, the spiritual vision He grants us.
• Deuteronomy 11 Context:
  • Love the Lord and keep His commandments.
  • God's greatness and acts during the Exodus.
  • Importance of remembering God's miracles.

Insights from Deuteronomy 11:1-12

• Verse 2-7: God's historical acts of deliverance.
• Verse 8-12: Command to keep God's commandments to prosper in the promised land.
• Verse 10-11: Contrast between watering "by foot" in Egypt (self-effort) and receiving rain from heaven in the promised land (divine provision).
• Water Wheel Metaphor: Symbol of slavery and self-reliance versus divine assistance.

Living in the New Covenant

• Supernatural Living: Trust in God to water the seeds you plant.
• Leaving Egypt: Transition from self-reliance to reliance on God.
• Walking into Water: Metaphor for stepping out in faith.

Commandments and Re'eh (To See)

• Obey commandments to receive blessings; disobedience brings curses.
• Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal: Symbolic of blessings and curses.

True Worship and Avoiding Idolatry

• Destroying Pagan Idols: Instructions to eliminate idolatry.
• Security in God: Avoid placing security in worldly things.
• Community Worship: Worship as intended by God, not through borrowed pagan practices.

Deuteronomy 12:29-32

• Avoid emulating pagan worship practices.
• Worship God according to His commandments.

Deuteronomy 14:1-21 Highlights

• Cultural Practices: Prohibition against pagan mourning customs.
• Dietary Laws: Observance of clean and unclean foods.
• Tithing Principles: Connection between tithing and fearing God.

Spiritual Principles and Conclusion

• Fearing God: Associated with obedience and generosity.
• Giving and Tithing: Acts of reverence and worship.
• Presence of God: Enter His presence with offerings of praise and obedience.
• Life as Worship: Living in a state of praise and reliance on God.

Final Thoughts

• Call to Action: Get off the "water wheel" of self-effort and trust in God's provision.
• Encouragement: Find ways to give and bless others as a reflection of God's image.
• Blessing: Concludes with a blessing for peace and divine assistance.

Upcoming Sessions

• Next session scheduled for Monday night at 7 PM CST, focusing on the month of Elul.