Devar/5770/Reeh
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עברית
English
Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse (Deut 11:26)
Why does the Torah put these two in front of us, the "blessing" and the "curse"? The condition for giving the blessing is if you shall pay attention to the commandments of the LORD your God (ibid 27). Similarly, the opposite condition: if you shall not pay attention to the commandments of the LORD your God (ibid 28). What is the purpose of telling us that if we obey then we will receive a blessing, and if not -- the opposite? Is it not clear already that there is a consequence to our actions?
The Torah tells us that "there is a choice". That we can choose our actions, and thereby either merit a blessing or be liable for a curse -- all according to our free choice. Choice is given to each person. If he desires to turn himself to the good path and to be righteous, he has that ability; and if he desires to turn himself to the bad path and be evil, he has that ability (Laws of Repentance 5:1). That is to say, that "external factors" have no influence upon us -- neither "luck", nor society nor anything else -- rather, each human chooses his path, whether to do good or to do evil.
Were it not so, what would be the purpose in the Torah's promising us that if we do well, we will get such-and-such a benefit, and if not, such-and-such an evil will befall us? Therefore we must understand this, and begin immediately to contemplate our deeds, and to bend our will to the side of good; in order that we may inherit the blessing, and not -- Heaven forbid! -- the opposite.
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