A few weeks ago in Perashat Re’eh, the Torah introduced us to two mountains: Gerizim for the blessings and E’bal for the curses.
One question jumps out: Why didn’t the Torah just spell out the blessings and curses back then? Why wait until this week’s perasha, Ki Tabo? The people were about to enter Israel, but the camp hadn’t moved.
Another question: The curses in Ki Tabo cover almost three full Torah “pages”, 54 pesukim in total, while the blessings are only 14. Anyone who has read them knows how intimidating they are. Each year when I read them, I can’t help but feel uneasy.
Ramban states that these blessings and curses are not like regular misvot. A person does not fall under the curse simply for stumbling. Rather, these curses apply to one who outright denies the Torah itself. That is why the pasuk (Debarim 27:26) uniquely states, “one who does not uphold the Torah,” meaning one who refuses to affirm its truth in his heart. They are not tied to the performance of each misva, but to our acceptance of the Torah as a whole. Deny it, and the curse applies.
As for why the curses are so much longer, the Kli Yakar explains that what looks like a blessing can sometimes turn into a curse, and what seems like a curse can become a blessing.
How so? A person prays for wealth but sometimes changes him; he becomes arrogant, less driven, or distant from his family. What looked like a blessing ends up doing harm. Or someone lands a dream job. On paper it’s a success, but in reality he becomes tied to the office with no time for family or himself. Conversely, struggles that feel like curses can build humility and sharpen priorities and bring us closer to G-d. The Kli Yakar teaches that hidden within difficulty is the potential for blessing if we respond with faith.
I’ve felt this in my own life. There were times I was stuck in situations I didn’t want. Looking back, those moments pushed me to grow, and became blessings I only appreciated later. If we approach life with gratitude instead of complaint, if instead of saying “Why me?” we say “Thank You!”, we can begin to see that what feels bitter may in fact be sweet. G-d knows what’s truly best for us, even when we don’t. And if we can hold onto that faith, then even the hardest moments can become sources of blessing.