We are commanded to follow the commandments but are admonished that if we do not follow them with joy then we are making the commandments into a form of idolatry.

The Torah stresses that we have to be deserving of the Land. It is not enough that it was promised us but that we have to show, through our actions that we deserve being there.

We are not only required to remember but keep in mind why we remember. We are constantly reminded that God did not take us out of Egypt to be a “normal” people. We have a mission to fulfill.

The Torah states that God will drive the inhabitants of the land out so why did the Jews have to prepare. Just wait for God to do what He said he would? The answer is that God wants to see if we are willing to make an effort.

If you do not teach your children your values then they will be filled with values that you will not agree with. This is the reason why so many young Jews today are marrying non-Jews. They do not value being Jewish.

The second paragraph of the Shma makes if very clear that we are in a partnership with God. If we do our part then God will do His. If we don’t then we will be punished.

We remember the important commandments but we tend to ignore the minor ones. This week’s Torah Portion comes to remind us that there are no “minor” commandments in the eyes of God.

The Torah admonishes us to remember that our wealth comes from two sources. Our hard work and God. We want Jews to succeed in business but we also want them to remember the source of their prosperity.

The 18th of Av is one of the happiest days of the Jewish year. It comes on the heels on the 9th of Av. The reason is to tell the Jewish people that there is a future. That no matter what bad thing you have experienced we will continue.

Today is the 9th of Av, the anniversary of the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem. What is important is not that we remember that they were destroyed but why God allowed them to be destroyed.