Parshas Re'eh for Kids

פרשת ראה

A brachah and a klalah set before the people, the laws of kosher animals, maaser, shemittah of debts, and giving to a poor person with an open hand and without a grudging heart.

In a Torah Tale book, your own child is the hero of this story - drawn from their photo, on every page, in their own name. Written under rabbinical guidance with strict tznius, printed and shipped to your door in English, Hebrew or Yiddish.

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What happens in Parshas Re'eh

Moshe Rabbeinu tells the people, see, I am placing before you today a brachah and a klalah. When they enter the land, they will stand at two mountains, Har Gerizim and Har Eival, and hear the blessings for keeping the Torah and the warnings for leaving it. Moshe also teaches that one day Hashem will choose a special place for the Beis HaMikdash.

The parsha gives the signs of kosher animals, fish, and birds, and the mitzvah of maaser sheni, eaten in Yerushalayim. It teaches the mitzvah of tzedakah: open your hand to a poor person, and do not harden your heart. Every seventh year loans are forgiven, and Moshe says to give with a full heart without feeling bad afterward. The parsha ends with the three Yamim Tovim when everyone goes up to Yerushalayim, Pesach, Shavuos, and Sukkos, with the command to rejoice.

Lessons and middos for children

  • An open hand

    The Torah asks us to give tzedakah with an open hand and a happy heart. We can put a coin in the pushka and smile while we do it.

  • Choosing well

    Moshe set a brachah and a klalah before the people and asked them to choose. Every day we can choose the good path.

  • Simchas Yom Tov

    On Yom Tov the Torah says to rejoice with family, guests, and anyone who is alone. We can make sure everyone at our table feels happy.

Questions for the Shabbos table

  1. What were the names of the two mountains, and what happened on each one?
  2. Why does the Torah care whether we give tzedakah happily or grudgingly?
  3. Who could we invite to share our Yom Tov so they are not alone?
  4. If you had a coin and a friend needed help, what would you do?

How your child steps into the story

Your child stands among the people as Moshe Rabbeinu teaches about giving with an open hand, and quietly helps a family share their bread with someone in need. The book ends looking toward the justice and honest judges of Parshas Shoftim.