Re'eh, Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17, continues Moses' second sermon to the people. It begins with the classic statement, "I set before you blessing and curse: blessing if you obey...and curse, if you do not obey the commandments..." This theme will be repeated in Deuteronomy 30, the end of Moses' second sermon.

Chapter 12 exhorts against idolatrous practices and introduces the theme that, once in the Land of Canaan, the Hebrews are to worship only at "the site which Adonai your God will choose to establish his name." This is an obvious reference to the Temple in Jerusalem and was a part of King Josiah's powerful campaign to centralize the Hebrew cult. Verse 12:20 allows for secular meat-eating anywhere; it's only ritual sacrifices that must be offered at the central shrine.

Chapter 13 warns against prophets, miracle-workers, and dream-diviners that might try to woo the people into idolatrous practices. Even if their predictions come true, the Hebrews are to destroy them.

Chapter 14 begins with two forbidden mourning customs: shaving the front of the hair and gashing oneself. The dietary laws are enumerated. The rule against sea creatures that don't have fins and scales is the same as Leviticus 11. The forbidden birds are listed. Similarly, the four animals which have either cloven hooves but don't chew their cud, or chew their cud but don't have cloven hooves are specifically mentioned.

Unlike Leviticus 11, however, permitted animals are listed by name: ox, sheep, goat, deer, gazelle, roebuck, wild goat, ibex, antelope, mountain sheep, and "any other animal which has true hooves and chews its cud."

The chapter ends with rules about tithes, conversion of tithe produce into money, and the third year Levitical tithe.

Chapter 15 notes the major problem about the Sabbatical year: people will be unwilling to loan money just before it. We are commanded not to fall into that base trap. The law about Hebrew slaves is enumerated in more detail than it was in Exodus 21:2-6. The rule of offering the first-born is repeated with an addition: if the animal has any blemish, it is to be consumed privately.

Chapter 16 lists the three pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. All three include the command that the celebration must be "in the place that the Lord will choose." The portion ends with a repetition of this command: Three times a year...all your males shall appear before Adonai your God in the place that He will choose."