Instructions for counting the omer are found on our Omer Overview Page. You can find the specific blessing for today at chabad.org.

We’re dedicating a new Sefer Torah on the first day of Shavuot. In honor of this joyous occasion, we’re using the counting of the Omer to take a whirlwind trip through the Torah

Today’s portion is Re’eh from the book of Deuteronomy. Today’s insight was generously provided by Naomi H.

Verses of note: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 11:29

What caught your attention in this parashah?

27: the blessing, if you shall listen to the commandants of the Lord you God, which I command you this day;

28: and the curse, if you shall not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods which you have not known.

29: It shall happen, when the Lord your God shall bring you into the land whither you go to possess it, that you shall set the blessing on Mount Gerizim, and the curs on Mount Eival.

In his last speech to the Israelites, Moses begins his speech by telling the people that, if they follow God’s laws, they will be blessed more than all the other people on earth. However, if they worship other gods and disobey God’s commandments, they will be cursed and perish. If Moses were merely informing the people, why would he choose the word ‘Re’eh’ (see)?

What’s one explanation for these verses?

The Talmud teaches: “Who is wise? One who sees the future.” (Tamid 32a)

The word Re’eh is a way of drawing attention to what is happening or about to happen. Moses wants the Israelites to not only hear and remember what he is about to say, but he wants them to use their imaginations and to visualize the future that they will have should they choose either to heed or to disobey God’s commandments. Moses is telling the Israelites that the choice is theirs. I find the idea that the individual and the Jewish people as a community have the opportunity to influence their future by the choices they make very uplifting and one of the reasons I love being Jewish.