.gif)
Re'eh(Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
God is Watching
In this week's Torah portion, Moses tells the Jewish people additional commandments they need to follow. And then he implores upon them to:
"...do what is good and right in the eyes of God." (Deuteronomy 12:28)
A LIFE LESSON
It seems rather obvious for Moses, the leader of the Jewish people, to tell his followers to do what is right in the eyes of God. But this really isn't as much of a rhetorical statement as one might think.
We live in a society where we care enormously about what other people think about us. Whether you're aware of it or not, the things you say, the clothes you wear, and the places you shop are influenced largely by the perception you want to give to others. This is precisely why in public we might act one way towards someone, but in private - outside the watchful eyes of those we so much want to impress - we will act in a completely different way.
When Moses told the Jews to do what is good and right in the eyes of God, he was teaching us all a life-changing insight: God is everywhere. He's right next to you as you're reading this. And He "follows" you when you walk to your car, and He sits right next to you at work. There isn't a cubic foot of space in which God is not completely and totally present and aware of everything this is being said and done. Remember, when it comes to God's presence, there's no such thing as privacy. God is always right there.
In New York City's Time Square there exists a massive television screen called the JumboTron. Thousands of people - some as far as 20 city blocks away - can see whatever images are displayed on this screen. What if you lived your life as though it was being shown live on the JumboTron? How much different would you act if everything you did was being broadcast in real-time on this giant screen?
But that's exactly the powerful message that God's teaching us. We are on this screen and God is observing everything.
So instead of doing what looks right in the eyes of your co-workers and friends, listen to the words of Moses. Concern yourself with impressing the One who truly wants you to become great and strive to do what is good and right in the eyes of God.
(9) Scott Granowski , August 14, 2009
All God All The Time
Thank you for your insight. My early years were spent in an unhappy perception of God watching me all the time for errors, profanity, imperfections, etc. The idea that God is everywhere in all things facilitates a connection that is full and adequate and unfolding, rather than idealized, static and perfectionistic.
(8) Chaya , August 10, 2009
I find it comforting. If G-d is everywhere, then I'm part of everywhere and part of the Ground of All Being. It's not that I'm being watched - it's I'm part of all that is. I've been taught what is expected of me and I do what I can how bad is that?
(7) RobvanDijk, Amsterdam,Holland , August 28, 2008
Am I the only one that thinks that that is, besides comforting, also a bit disturbing? Are you all so righteous? I'm not, I'm sorry to say.
(6) Norma , August 25, 2008
Thank You!
Indeed. Thank you [Aish] Adam Lieberman for your fulfilling and truthful thought i.e. "God is Watching". Could we just give a minute of our thought to imagine the disappointment of The LORD watching what bad people are doing with our gifted-Life? My prayers to The LORD, to kindly bless His good people and enlighten the other's mind and soul so they can value what You, Our LORD, has [and still] given to them . May you be blessed!
(5) Anonymous , August 25, 2008
do the right thing!
I accept what You wrote. Can I ask why, when and how more than to see it is possible that peoples that move not in right way as prescricted must to pay for his hostility? Thanks a lot.