This week’s Maor VaShemesh explores four seemingly different teachings that ultimately address a single question: How do we discover and remain connected to truth? Through community, humility, discernment, and authentic spiritual leadership, he shows that genuine closeness to Hashem is built not on appearances or inspiration alone, but on a lifetime of growth rooted in Torah and character.
In the first piece, he explains that the Torah’s unusual phrase asher tishme’un can be read as “when you gather,” teaching that blessing emerges through dibbuk chaverim—learning, growing, and serving Hashem together.
In the second, he explores the word Anochi, showing that a healthy sense of self can become either a blessing or a curse, depending on whether it serves humility before Hashem or personal pride.
In the third, he reveals how our task is to uncover the hidden sparks of holiness within creation and thereby arrive at emet, the underlying truth. Finally, in the fourth piece, he explains that the Torah’s warning about the false prophet is not primarily about miracles, but about misplaced trust, teaching that our surest protection is to attach ourselves to authentic Torah, genuine teachers, and communities whose character has been proven over time.
Use this source sheet for further exploration of Parshat Re’eh, complete with footnoted sources and a concise, footnoted bio of R. Kalonymus Kalman Epstein (Ma’or Va-Shemesh) to enjoy this teaching at your own pace, perfect for self-learners.
Prepared by Rabbi Shalom (Saul) Orbach
The Ma’or Va-Shemesh is a classic Hasidic commentary on the weekly portions and festivals by R. Kalonymus Kalman Epstein of Kraków (1751-1823). A foremost later disciple, and for years the Shamash, of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk, he emerged after his rebbe’s passing as a leading figure in the fourth generation of Chassidut and of Polish Hasidism. His Torah blends close reading of the Psukim with mystical depth, emphasizing Dvekut, heartfelt prayer, joy, and sanctifying the everyday, with a hallmark leadership ethic: the tzaddik sweetens judgment into mercy and draws people close.