1. The Ceremony of Blessings and Curses on Har Gerizim and Har Eival
In today’s portion of Parshas Ki Savo, we encounter a significant event that is referenced by Moshe Rabbeinu multiple times, including once in Parshas Re’eh. There, the Torah states: “Re’eh anochi nosein lifneichem”—“See, I give before you”—and describes how the blessings and their opposites were presented to Bnei Yisrael as they entered Eretz Yisrael. This ceremony took place at Har Gerizim and Har Eival, where the tribes stood on the two mountains and heard both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The Torah details the procedures of this event, emphasizing its importance as a foundational moment in our national history.2. The Torah’s Focus on Curses Rather Than Blessings
A perplexing aspect arises when we examine the text: while the Torah records all the curses in detail, it does not explicitly list the corresponding blessings. Instead, it simply states “arur”—cursed is one who does such-and-such—without specifying “baruch”—blessed is one who refrains or acts properly. We know logically that if there is a curse for violating a commandment, there must be a blessing for fulfilling it, but why does the Torah choose to record only the curses? This omission raises questions about what message or lesson we are meant to derive from this emphasis.3. The Selection of Specific Mitzvos for Public Declaration
Another puzzling point concerns which mitzvos were chosen for public declaration at this ceremony. There are eleven specific commandments listed, followed by one general statement: “Cursed is one who does not uphold all the words of this Torah.” Most of these mitzvos relate to interpersonal conduct—such as diverting justice or engaging in prohibited relationships—while only the first addresses making a molten image, which is between man and God. Why were these particular mitzvos singled out? Was it because people were more likely to stumble in them? Were they considered especially severe? The reasoning behind their selection remains unclear and invites further exploration among the meforshim—commentators.4. The Mystery of Shimon’s Absence from Both Blessings and Curses
Rashi addresses another curiosity: there are eleven curses corresponding to eleven tribes, yet there are twelve tribes in total. Why is Shimon omitted? Rashi explains that Moshe did not intend to bless Shimon before his death—as seen in Vezos Habracha, where every tribe receives a blessing except Shimon. Since Moshe did not bless Shimon, he also refrained from cursing him during this ceremony. The background involves an earlier incident with Zimri, leader of Shimon, who was involved with a Midianite woman—a story that led to Moshe withholding both blessing and curse from this tribe. This dual omission highlights a unique status for Shimon among the tribes.5. The Emotional Impact on Tribes Receiving Curses
It is worth considering how members of each tribe might have felt during this dramatic scene. Some tribes stood on Har Gerizim when blessings were pronounced, while others faced Har Eival during the recitation of curses. Although no tribe was personally cursed—the statements applied generally to anyone violating those commandments—it must have been an intense experience for those standing as representatives when curses were declared in their direction. This arrangement prompts us to reflect on why certain tribes were assigned to each mountain and what effect this public ceremony had on communal identity.6. The Deeper Meaning Behind Harsh Language in Torah
Sometimes strong language or “bitter medicine” is necessary to ensure that Bnei Yisrael remain faithful to Hashem’s path. Yet even within these harsh words lies hidden blessing. A well-known story from Hayom Yom recounts how the Mitteler Rebbe became ill when someone else read the section of curses in shul, but not when his father (the Alter Rebbe) read them—because then he did not truly hear curses at all. This hints at a deeper spiritual reality: even words like “arur” conceal blessings within them when viewed through a higher lens.7. Concluding Thoughts and Blessings for the New Year
While many questions remain regarding why certain mitzvos were chosen or why Shimon was omitted from both blessing and curse, we trust that deeper answers can be found among our sages and commentators. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, may we merit only revealed good—ksiva v’chasima tova—a sweet new year filled with health and happiness, with no curses but only blessings for all of Klal Yisrael!