“See,” says Moshe to the Jewish People, “I place before you today a blessing and a curse”—the blessing that will come when they fulfill G‑d’s commandments, and the curse if they abandon them. We were then instructed in the Mitzvah to build a Beit Hamikdash in Israel and that all sacrifices must be brought there and nowhere else.

A false prophet, or one who entices others to worship idols, should be put to death; an idolatrous city must be destroyed. The identifying signs for kosher animals and fish, and the list of non-kosher birds are repeated.

A tenth of all produce is to be eaten in Jerusalem, or else exchanged for money with which food is purchased and eaten there. The mitzvah of charity obligates a Jew to aid a needy fellow with a gift or loan. Our Parshah concludes with the laws of the three pilgrimage festivals—Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot—when all should go to “see and be seen” before G‑d in the Holy Temple.

This Shabbat marks the last Shabbat before Elul. The last Shabbat of summer “relaxation” before the service repentance begins in preparation for Rosh Hashana. Yet in a way, this is the greatest service. Now is the time to decide what we are taking with us from the previous year. What are we deciding to work on and as we reflect on our mistakes?

The Mitzvah of charity should make perfect logical sense. However, we find a difficulty in Jewish law when it comes to Tzedakah. Even a poor person , who has barely enough to sustain himself, must still give money to others. This makes no sense? Shouldn’t he be exempted? The reason is because we don’t keep these Mitzvot because of logic. We keep them because Hashem said so. And He decided that every single person must have the opportunity to give to others. This must be how we view all Mitzvot. We observe them even when we don’t understand the reason behind them. This is the ultimate service of Hashem.

Everyone knows that the deepest sleep comes just before dawn. Spiritually, the same is true. It is often in the moments before the light breaks through that weariness is greatest and the temptation to give up is strongest. That is why we must remain steadfast and spiritually awake, ready to receive the light of redemption as it dawns upon the world. This is a message every Jew should carry in their hearts and share with others.

A wealthy man came to the Rebbe complaining that people constantly asked him for help.

"I've worked hard for what I have," he said. "Why should everyone depend on me?"

The Rebbe led him to the window.

"What do you see?"

"I see people walking in the street."

Then the Rebbe stood him before a mirror.

"What do you see now?"

"Myself."

"The window and the mirror are both made of glass," the Rebbe said. "The only difference is that the mirror has a thin layer of silver. Add a little silver, and all you see is yourself."

The man understood. Wealth, success, and comfort should never become a mirror that reflects only ourselves. Their purpose is to become a window through which we can see—and help—others.