Moses begins this week's Torah portion with a simple yet profound word: Re'eh ("See") Deuteronomy 11:26.
But what does it truly mean to see? As adults, we might assume we understand this basic concept, but watching a young child play hide-and-seek reveals the complexity of perception. The toddler who ducks behind a couch or pulls a blanket over their head genuinely believes they've become invisible. In their world, if they can't see the seeker, surely the seeker can't see them. This innocent misunderstanding illuminates a fundamental truth about human perception, what we see (or don't see) shapes our understanding of reality, but our individual perspective is just that, individual.
The reverse is equally true. A chameleon may be perfectly camouflaged against tree bark, and Waldo may be expertly hidden among his look-alikes, but their invisibility to us doesn't negate their existence. They remain present and real, waiting to be discovered by those who look more carefully or from a different perspective.
Moses understood this when he commanded the Israelites to "see." He wasn't just asking them to observe with their eyes, but to perceive with wisdom, understanding, and empathy. The Torah continues, "You shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your poor and needy in your land" (Deuteronomy 15:11). This verse reminds us that poverty and need often hide in plain sight, camouflaged by pride, shame, or society's tendency to look away.
This is where the vital work of our Jewish Federation becomes clear. Like Joseph, who during seven years of abundance had the foresight to prepare for seven years of famine, the Jewish Federation sees beyond the immediate moment. It is our responsibility to identify Jewish communal needs that may not yet be visible to the rest of us: the elderly person struggling with isolation, the family quietly dealing with food insecurity, the student who needs educational support but is too proud to ask.
The Jewish Federation's role mirrors Joseph's wisdom to store up resources, build networks, and create systems of support before the crisis arrives. We see the vulnerable unseen in our community and help make them visible to those who can help. We recognize that today's abundance can prepare for tomorrow's needs, even when those needs aren't yet apparent to the broader community.
Moses' call to "see" challenges us on multiple levels. First, to look beyond our own perspective and notice what might be hidden from our view. Second, to recognize that our own vision may be limited, and others might perceive important truths we're missing.
As we enter this new week, let us commit to sharpening our vision. We encourage you to join us in support of our mission to identify and address the needs across our Jewish community that we might not yet see. And enable us to approach our interactions with humility, remaining open to the possibility that others may notice something important that has escaped our attention. In doing so, we transform the simple act of seeing into the profound act of truly caring for one another. Because we are STRONGER TOGETHER!
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