By Rabbi Dovid Markel
This week’s parsha, Re’eh, begins with the following statement about the blessings and curses that come as a result of following G-d’s Will:
The verse (Devarim 11:26-28) states: “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse. The blessing, that you will heed the commandments of the Lord your G-d, which I command you today; and the curse, if you will not heed the commandments of the Lord your G-d, but turn away from the way I command you this day, to follow other gods, which you did not know.
When analyzing the differences of language that one finds between the two verses, one notices that concerning blessings, the verse states that the blessing is “that you will heed the commandments,” while in regard to sin, the verse states that it is “if you will not heed the commandments.”
The difference is clear: The greatest blessing that a person already receives from following the commandments is “that you will heed the commandments.” Connecting to G-d through His mitzvot is the greatest blessing that a person can ever desire-as a mitzvah directly connects the individual to G-d Himself.
This is expressed in the dictum (Avot 4:2): “The reward of the mitzvah is the mitzvah itself.” There can be no greater reward and blessing than connecting to G-d through His commandments.
Interestingly, while sin too separates a person from G-d, the verse states, “if you will not heed the commandments,” rather than saying that one who sins is directly disconnected from G-d.
This is because, no matter how many sins a person does, he remains a member of Israel-bound to G-d. The separation is merely external and therefore not expressed in a direct manner, as it is not natural and in no way everlasting.
G-d tells us to choose the true good, which is G-d. When indeed we choose G-d with the very essence of our being, we will merit the ultimate blessing of the coming of Moshiach!
