To Life! RAH PORTION A Time For Self-Assessment Shabbat Reeh: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17; Isaiah 54:11-55:5. T Have The Detroit Jewish News Delivered To Your Door Every Thursday For About A Dollar A Week call 248.351,5174, visit www.JNonlinesus (click the subscribe link) or fill out and mail the form below 0 1 year @$60 0 2 years @$114 0 3 Years @140 ❑ bill me ❑ payment enclosed charge my ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard ❑ American Express exp date card # signature(required) name phone# street address state city zip email address E I would like to be contacted about special offers and/or sending a gift subscription mail to: Detroit Jewish News • PO Box 2267 • Southfield MI 48037-2267 Please allow 2-3 weeks to begin delivery. In-state subscriptions only. Out of state price $79 for 1 year, $139 for 2 years. 44 August 9 • 2007 DETROIT JEWISH NEWS JN between what matters a lot and what his week's Torah reading matters little. includes this statement addressed to Moses to the Even though many have been endowed with the gifts of intelligence, Hebrew people: "Take heed to thyself creativity and talent, enabling them to that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seeest; make a distinct contribu- tion to life and to exercise but rather in the place which the Lord shall choose ... there a distinctive influence for thou shalt do all that I com- good, somehow they fail to achieve their potential. mand thee." They have too many The verse has two levels of irons in the fire; they meanings. In biblical times, spread themselves too scattered, private shrines were thin. They are perpetu- prohibited because they would ally emerging from one be linked with pagan worship. Rabbi Irwin undertaking to another, People were commanded to Groner supporting this cause designate a central sanctuary Special to the and that one, while their for their offerings, a place that Jewish News appointment book is a would be hallowed by God. testimony to their industry and tire- Every wayside has its altars, every altar its priests and adherents. It is folly lessness. This season is the appropriate time to worship at every altar, for all altars are not equally deserving of our loyalty to ask what we really want from life. On this Sabbath, we recite the blessing and reverence. We should reserve our for the new month of Elul, the month best for the Highest. To what shall we that precedes Rosh Hashanah. This give our best, what should elicit from is the time that the Jewish tradition us our most precious sacrifice? designates for Cheshb on HaNefesh, spiritual evalu- ation or self-assessment, as we consider the paths we have traversed and the direction in which our lives should move. As we approach the New Year, we Some people have never answered reflect upon the sage advice of our this challenge. Their fault is that they Tradition: "Give your best for the sake have divided it between so many dif- of the best. Don't worship at the wrong ferent shrines that their gift seems to altars. Commit your time and effort be of such little value upon any. Life is for what is truly valuable." largely a matter of priorities. In order to find satisfaction, we have to deter- mine what is truly and supremely valu- Irwin Groner is rabbi emeritus of Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Oakland able and then set about to achieve it. County. We recognize duties that challenge us, responsibilities that confront us, Conversations pleasures that entice us; and they all What do you really want from compete for priority right. We need to life? What are your lifetime formulate a scale of values. Which is goals? How would you like to the central altar, the primary shrine? spend the next three years? If To what shall we devote the fulhiess of you knew now that you would be our energy and capacity? If life is to struck by lightning six months have direction, we need to discrimi- from today, how would you live nate between the better and the best, until then? between the major and the minor, This season is the appropriate time to ask what we really want from life.