Glossary of Terms Used in the VaEtchanan Weekly Torah Portion

Observing (Keeping) the Torah

“Observing” is the constant keeping of our attitude toward others. The Torah means “love your neighbor as yourself.” It is love that must always be before our eyes.

Repentance

“Repentance” is returning from the ego, from the negative attitude toward others, and into a good attitude to others.

The Ten Commandments

We must distinguish ten parts that are all egotistical, cruel, aiming to exploit others, and which are then corrected from aiming to receive into aiming to bestow.

Annihilation of Idol Worship

The idols are money, gold, beautiful cars, and whatever we want that is not necessary for our sustenance. With them, it is as though we steal from others. It is written that without flour, there is no Torah. That is, one must care of one’s necessities and also care for the needs of others.

Shema Israel (Hear, O Israel)

This pertains to unity. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” “The Lord our God” means pure love and bestowal. It is about a bond between us that consists of love and bestowal, and which discloses to us the force of Nature with which we are in Dvekut (adhesion).

Remembering

We should constantly remember, and remind others, about mutual guarantee (Arvut). We must all remind each other that we are obliged to treat each other favorably, above the bad relations between us. We need to love others as we love our children: at times we may be unhappy with our children’s character, but we love them nonetheless.

Do we have to become as one family?

Yes, and we must always remember it.

So Arvut is the umbrella that should cover all the gaps between us, all the conflicts. In fact, we need not change at all, just place the Arvut above us.

Precisely, and then we will reach abundance. This is what lies ahead.