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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.
(15) Frederica Steller, August 18, 2012 5:15 PM
No matter where we are, what we do/say; God is always there.
I loved this article so much, I Emailed it to a friend! And, she was the one who told me about this web site. She likes it, too, and she's not even Jewish.
(14) Grace Soshana Nili Gulko, August 23, 2011 6:42 PM
Thank you so much, its very true, we are always on Hashem's stage, i'm very happy that i'm not the only one who feels this way. We should always conduct ourselves properly where ever we are privately or publicity,because we are always being watch by Hashem's camera and that makes me feel very safe and comfortable knowing this. Thank You.
(13) Enoch Basker, August 22, 2011 1:03 PM
This is very good articles.
(12) batya harris, August 5, 2010 5:28 PM
also should be good in eyes of man
"may we find favor in the eyes of G-d and man" (from Grace after Meals). - we must still make sure that the mitzvot we do - whether man to G-d or man to man - are done in gentle/respectful ways when other people are involved or watching, no?
(11) Laura, August 2, 2010 10:07 PM
This is very true. Thank you for posting this.