1. The Prohibition Against Eating Blood
The Parsha of Re’eh discusses both a prohibition and a positive commandment that, while seemingly separate, are deeply connected. The prohibition is against eating blood, while the positive commandment is to connect to Hashem and emulate His ways by acting kindly toward others. The connection between these two is rooted in the idea that consuming blood transmits the animal’s characteristics to the person, affecting one’s own character traits. This is contrasted with eating meat, which undergoes a transformation before becoming part of the person. The Torah’s language regarding this prohibition is unique. In Parshas Re’eh, Pasuk Chaf-Gimel, the Torah states: “Be strong so that you shall not eat blood.” Unlike other prohibitions or commandments—such as honoring parents or avoiding non-kosher meat—where the Torah does not use such language, here it specifically says “be strong.” The verse further explains that “the blood is the soul,” and instructs not to eat the soul with the meat. This is why we salt meat before eating—to extract the blood.2. Rashi’s Two Explanations: Rabbi Yehuda and Ben Azai
Rashi notes this unusual wording and offers two opposing explanations. According to Rabbi Yehuda, “be strong” implies that there was a strong desire for blood at that time; people were accustomed to consuming it, so extra strength was needed to overcome this habit. This view sees the mitzvah as difficult due to prevailing customs. Rabbi Shimon Ben Azai (often referred to simply as Ben Azai) offers an opposite perspective: people are naturally repulsed by blood and have no desire for it. Therefore, the Torah uses “be strong” here precisely because it is an easy mitzvah—to teach us never to underestimate even simple commandments. If we must be strong even for easy mitzvos, how much more so for difficult ones! This aligns with Ben Azai’s teaching in Pirkei Avos: one should run toward even a light mitzvah because mitzvah goreres mitzvah—one mitzvah leads to another.3. Reconciling Opposing Views on Desire for Blood
At first glance, these opinions seem contradictory: did people desire blood or find it repugnant? The Rebbe suggests that perhaps people didn’t necessarily like blood but used it frequently—sometimes for medicinal purposes or because it was believed to have healing powers. Thus, Rabbi Yehuda’s view may refer more to common usage than actual desire. Ben Azai’s approach focuses on strengthening oneself even in areas where there is no temptation—teaching us not to take any mitzvah lightly. Both perspectives are valid in different circumstances: some people struggle with physical desires and need extra strength (Rabbi Yehuda), while others may be on a more refined level and need encouragement to pursue even easy mitzvos with enthusiasm (Ben Azai).4. Ben Azai’s Zeal: Learning from Action
This theme of running toward mitzvos appears elsewhere in Ben Azai’s life. In Maseches Berachos, Ben Azai recounts following Rabbi Akiva into a private place (the bathroom) to learn practical halacha firsthand—a move Rabbi Yehuda considered disrespectful. Ben Azai defended his actions by saying his thirst for Torah justified even unconventional means of learning. The underlying debate is whether one should go beyond standard practice (asking questions in the beis medrash—study hall) and seek out direct observation of halachic practice. Many laws are best learned through action rather than theory; those raised in observant homes often absorb traditions simply by witnessing them in practice. Ben Azai exemplifies running after even minor details of Torah observance—not being satisfied with theoretical knowledge but seeking practical understanding through direct experience.5. The Spiritual Impact of Eating Blood vs. Meat
Why does eating blood affect character traits differently than eating meat? Blood represents the soul and vitality of the animal; consuming it transmits its raw animalistic nature directly into a person without transformation or refinement. Meat from a kosher animal undergoes chewing and digestion—a process that refines it before it becomes part of one’s own body and character. Thus, someone “flooded with blood” symbolizes being overwhelmed by animalistic tendencies and desires—requiring extra strength (chazak) to overcome them (Rabbi Yehuda). In contrast, Ben Azai was less involved in physicality and more focused on spiritual pursuits; his message is about bringing strength even into positive actions and mitzvos.6. Connecting to Hashem Through Emulating His Ways
The Parsha also discusses false prophets who may try to lead people astray from Hashem. After warning against following such individuals, the Torah commands: “You shall follow Hashem… fear Him… keep His mitzvos… listen to His voice… serve Him… cleave (davek) to Him.” Rashi explains these phrases: following Hashem means emulating His ways; fearing Him refers generally to awe; keeping His mitzvos refers specifically to observing Moshe’s Torah; listening means heeding prophetic voices; serving refers to service in the sanctuary; cleaving means attaching oneself closely—like glue—to Hashem. But how can one truly connect or “paste” oneself to Hashem? Rashi answers: by connecting yourself not directly but through emulating His ways—doing acts of kindness (gemoil chasodim). Specific examples include burying the dead (as Hashem did after Bris Milah for Avraham) and visiting the sick (as Hashem did for Avraham). These acts mirror Divine behavior.7. Deeper Levels of Cleaving: Beyond Commandments
There are deeper levels of connection beyond fulfilling explicit commandments—such as acting kindly simply because it reflects Hashem’s nature rather than because one is commanded at that moment. Stories are told about great tzaddikim who would automatically act in line with Divine will without needing explicit instruction—they were so attuned that their actions reflected Hashem spontaneously. For example, before Shabbos there is a special time when souls ascend spiritually; some tzaddikim would pass away at this elevated moment because they were so closely connected above through their deeds below.8. Summary: Strengthening Ourselves in All Areas
In summary, we explored two main ideas from Re’eh: first, why does the Torah say “be strong” regarding eating blood? One view says because people desired it greatly; another says precisely because they didn’t desire it—to teach us never to take any mitzvah lightly. Second, what does it mean to cleave to Hashem? It means emulating His ways—especially acts of kindness like burying the dead or visiting the sick—even when not explicitly commanded at that moment. Both lessons teach us about strengthening ourselves—in resisting negative influences as well as passionately pursuing positive deeds—and ultimately connecting ever more deeply with Hashem through both avoidance of negative traits and active emulation of Divine kindness.