SEDRA : RE'EH Shabbat Rosh Chodesh - Hertz Chumash p. 799 Deuteronomy Chap.11 verse 26

This week's Serda is generously sponsored by Yossi Harel

SYNOPSIS:

Moses informed the Children of Israel that there is a choice between receiving G-d's blessings for observing His commandments or suffering His curse for rejecting His laws. A ceremony would be held on Mounts Gerizim and Eval, immediately after entering Eretz Yisrael, during which the consequences of the blessing and the curse would be pronounced.
Moses then turned to the exposition of a number of religious, civil, and social laws which were to regulate the life of the nation in the Promised Land. He dealt first with the principles of centralised worship, which were directed against the idolatrous practice of individual worship at any site. All sacrifices were to be brought only to the place chosen by G-d. Those portions of offerings permitted to the lay worshipper were to be eaten there. However, an animal intended for ordinary consumption rather than for a sacrifice could be slaughtered and eaten anywhere, provided its blood was not consumed.
The Bnei Yisrael were warned not to imitate the hideous rites of the Canaanites, such as sacrificing living children to their gods. The false prophet who attempted to entice them to worship idols was to be put to death. All the inhabitants of a city who, after having been investigated, were convicted of idol worship, were also to be put to death, and the city (called an Ir Hanidachat) was to be totally destroyed by fire. Self infliction of wounds on the body or head as a sign of mourning is prohibited.
As a holy people, Israelites are to refrain from eating anything abominable. Moses, therefore, reviewed the dietary laws already revealed at Sinai. He said that a second tithe (Mas'aser Sheni) consisting of a tenth of one's annual produce of the soil including grain, wine, and oil, was to be brought by every Jewish man to the Sanctuary and consumed by him there. Any Israelite who lived too far away from the Sanctuary to bring the Ma'aser Sheni there, could bring its monetary value instead, purchase food there with the money, and enjoy a festive meal with his family and the Levi'im. At the end of every 3rd and 6th year of the Shemitta cycle, this tenth was to be given to the poor (Ma'aser Ani) in one's town or city rather than brought to the Sanctuary.
At the end of every seventh (Shemitta) year, during which the land is to remain fallow, a creditor is to release his fellow Jews form any loans which may be due. Yet, this should not discourage anyone from lending money to the needy, for such acts of kindness will be amply rewarded by G-d.
In addition, a Hebrew bondsman who had been sold into servitude was to be freed at the beginning of the seventh year, and liberally assisted with material means to enable him to make a fresh start in life. If the bondsman should choose to remain in his master's service, his ear was to be pierced, as a sign that he selected servitude rather than freedom, contrary to G-d's wishes.
In amplifying the laws of the Feasts of Pesach, Shavuot, and Succot, Moses emphasised that every male Israelite was to make a pilgrimage three times a year to the Sanctuary, bringing with him sacrifices, each person according to his means. This last section of the Sedra forms part of the regular Torah reading on our Chagim.

HAPHTORAH ROSH CHODESH HERTZ CHUMASH P. 944 Isaiah Chapter 66

The final chapter of Isaiah comprises the reading when Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh coincide owing to its reference in the penultimate verse to the continued and ever more popular observance of Rosh Chodesh in the future. The chapter combines fierce admonition for those who pervert sincere observance, mock the ways of G-d and worship idolatry while it also describes the rebirth of Israel and the ingathering of exiles. The penultimate verse referring to Rosh Chodesh is repeated again after the conclusion of the Haphtorah. Although some Synagogues read the Haphtorah for Re=eh with its words of comfort, our custom is to read the Haphtorah for Rosh Chodesh since it too bears a message of consolation (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch)

TELL ME RABBI ..... THE MONTH OF ELLUL

SHOFAR: From the first of Ellul we customarily blow 3 Shofar blasts (Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah) daily at the conclusion of the Morning Service. On 1st Ellul Moses ascended Mt Sinai for the second time amidst the blast of the Shofar to pray for Israel's forgiveness for worshipping the Golden Calf. This would inaugurate a mood of penitence.
YOM TOV CARDS ! The Shulchan Aruch points our that when writing a letter during Ellul one should wish the addressee a Ketivah v'chatimah Tovah - to be and Inscribed and Sealed for Good. From the desire to fulfil the beautiful thought implied in this concept arose the idea to send cards. One is thus automatically put in a position where it is appropriate to fulfil this custom.