1. The Torah’s Introduction to Blessing and Curse
The parsha of Re’eh opens with the words: “See, I give you today the blessing and the curse.” The Torah continues that if you listen to Hashem and follow the mitzvos, you will receive the blessing. If not, if you turn away from the path that Hashem commands and follow other gods, then the curse will come. This sets up a fundamental question: what is the true meaning of a blessing (bracha—blessing) and a curse (klala—curse)? What does it mean when we bless or curse someone?2. The Human Act of Blessing and Cursing
When we say we bless someone, it is as if we are wishing them well—articulating or verbalizing a hope that good things should happen to them. Bracha is a general term for all forms of goodness: not just life, livelihood, children, nachas—pride or satisfaction from children, or health, but any form of good. To bless someone is to wish that goodness should come their way. Conversely, when one curses another person, they are wishing bad upon them—hoping that negative things befall them. Sometimes a curse is specified, but often it simply means wishing for bad in general.3. Divine Response to Human Blessings and Curses
We see in the Torah that when people bless Avraham—meaning they wish him well—Hashem promises: “I will bless those who bless you.” This means Hashem will shower kindness and goodness on those who extend blessings to others. Similarly, those who curse Avraham—who wish him harm—Hashem says He will curse. We also find this dynamic with Balaam: he was hired by the king of Moav to curse the Jewish people, meaning he was trying to articulate negative outcomes for them. Yet Hashem reversed his intentions so that instead of curses, only blessings emerged.4. The Nature of Blessings and Curses from Hashem
When Hashem says He gives us blessings and curses, it appears straightforward: blessings mean good things happen to us, curses mean bad things happen. However, Chazal teach that nothing truly bad comes from Shamayim—Heaven. Only good comes from Hashem. As it says in Eicha: “From Me do not come both good and bad.” Rashi explains this does not mean Hashem sends evil (Chas v’Shalom), but rather that people bring negativity upon themselves through their actions.5. Blessings in Disguise and Human Receptivity
The Rebbe explains that everything from Hashem is ultimately a blessing—sometimes openly revealed, sometimes hidden within what appears as negativity. There are times when we are not worthy or prepared to receive these blessings properly, so they manifest as difficulties or challenges for us. It is like pouring milk for a baby without using a bottle nipple—if the recipient cannot receive it properly, even an abundance becomes useless or even harmful.6. Perspectives in Translation: Onkelos vs Yonasan ben Uziel
There is an interesting distinction between Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan ben Uziel on these verses. Onkelos uses the word for “curse,” reflecting how things appear during exile when blessings are often hidden behind hardship. Yonasan ben Uziel lived during the time of the Beis Hamikdash when clarity prevailed—he refers instead to “the opposite of blessing,” emphasizing that even what seems negative is essentially rooted in blessing.7. Revealed Goodness and Our Role as Vessels
In essence, everything from Hashem is good—the challenge lies in our ability to be proper vessels (keilim) for His blessings. When we prepare ourselves through Torah and mitzvos, we become able to receive revealed goodness (betoiv hanira v’hanigla—a visible and open good). The Rebbe would always give this type of bracha: not just goodness in essence but goodness that can be seen and felt clearly.8. Preparing for Open Blessings in Elul
As we approach Rosh Chodesh Elul and prepare for the new year, we pray for ksiva v’chasima toiva—a good inscription and sealing for the year ahead—with open blessings in all areas of life. May we merit only revealed good so there is no need to reinterpret hardships as hidden blessings but instead experience Hashem’s kindness openly and tangibly in every aspect of our lives.