Some thoughts on this week’s Torah portion

This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Re’eh, opens with a powerful message. In Deuteronomy 11:26-28, Moses presents the Israelites with a clear choice: blessing or curse, life or death. He says, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—the blessing if you obey the commandments…the curse if you do not.”

But what does this mean for us now?

Every day, we face choices. Some are small, like what to eat or how to spend our time. Others are bigger, like how we treat others, how we respond to challenges, or where we focus our energy. These choices don’t just shape our lives—they shape the world around us.

So, what does it mean to choose blessing today? It’s about making decisions that lead to growth, positivity, and connection. It’s choosing to act with kindness, support causes we believe in, and spread love rather than hate. These are the choices that fill our lives with purpose.

And here’s the thing: our choices ripple out. When we choose actions that bring blessings into our lives, we create opportunities for those blessings to extend to others. Every small act of goodness, every choice made with intention, contributes to a world where more people can experience the blessings we all seek.

So, as you go through your week, think about the choices you’re making. Are they leading you toward the life you want to live? Are they bringing blessings to you and those around you? The power to choose is one of the greatest gifts we have. Let’s use it wisely. Let’s choose blessing, not just for ourselves, but for the world we’re all a part of.