Blessings and Curses

There was a very impressive ceremony that took place between Mount Gerizim and Mount Eival, shortly after entering Eretz Yisrael. Its purpose was to enter into a covenant with the Jewish people.

Six tribes stood on one mountain and the other six tribes on the other mountain. The Leviim stood at the bottom and shouted a number of blessings and curses. The blessings were facing Mount Gerizim and the curses on Mount Eival. As each blessing and curse was uttered the people answered Amen. This was an acceptance of the entire nation to fulfill the precepts of the Torah, and their special role among the nations.

The Keli Yakar makes a strong comment regarding blessings and curses in general. The blessings that we receive, are a gift from Hashem, and the ultimate place to receive these blessings is in Olam Haba, the next world.

Curses, on the other hand, are not from Hashem. They are brought about by an individual’s bad behavior. It is absolutely wrong for a person to feel that he was singled out for suffering, and that Hashem doesn’t love him.

When things are not going right for someone, it is a time for serious soul searching. It is not a time for blaming others, or even G-d. We make our own Mazal, in the way we interact with the world.

Our attitude must be one that is positive, where everything we have is appreciated. Self pity, depression, and anger, are symptoms of arrogance and a big ego.

We can bring about the blessings if that is what Hashem desires. But it is in our hands, to avoid the curses.