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ARSHAS RE’EH

“See I set before you today a blessing and a curse etc… you shall set the blessing upon Mount Gerizim and the curse upon Mount Eival.” (Devarim 11:26 29)

The gemara in Sotah (32a) explains that six shevatim ascended Har Gerizim and six Har Eival. The Kohanim Leviim and the Aron stood below in the middle… They faced Har Gerizim and began with a blessing; both groups answered “Amen.”

A number of questions arise from this description. Firstly why were the shevatim divided in two? Why weren’t they given the blessings and curses together? Second why does the pasuk use the word “see”? Doesn’t sight refer to a tangible vision not statements of speech?

In addition the grammatical structure of the sentence seems confusing. In the beginning the pasuk uses the verb “see” in singular but concludes with the words “I set before you” and “you” is used in the plural.

Lastly why does the pasuk say “today” when the blessings and curses were actually said when Bnei Yisrael crossed the Yarden in Sefer Yehoshua?

(Rav Yosef Salant Be’er Yosef)

I stood waiting for the bus leaving the city. During summer vacation people seem to be in constant motion. Guests and city residents all stood together waiting for the bus to whisk them away.

It was hot and the bus stop was crowded. Children whined babies cried parents snapped. Finally the bus pulled up. The bus driver opened the door the crowd surged forward. The driver smiled at the crowd. “One at a time ” he said in a booming voice “there’s plenty of room for all of you.”

The pushing abated tense shoulders relaxed. A man stepped back so a family with several small children could alight before him. A woman held an infant so his harried mother could lift her crying toddler. The atmosphere shifted from tense to gracious.

The gemara in Maseches Kiddushin states: A person should always see himself as if he is half meritorious and half guilty. Therefore if he does one mitzvah he tips the scales towards merit. Conversely if he transgresses an aveirah the scales are tipped toward guilt.

This is true on a global level as well; one mitzvah or one aveirah can tip the entire world.

That’s why Bnei Yisrael were divided between Har Gerizim and Har Eival. By giving the blessings towards one half and the curses towards the other half it was as if six shevatim were worthy of brachah as reward for fulfilling the Torah and it was as if the six remaining ones didn’t fulfill the Torah chas v’shalom. This compels the heart of each Jew to take responsibility for his every action and moment. (ibid.)

Herein lies the connection between every Jew I meet. We’re all responsible for each other. Every action I do influences your life and your every movement may change the course of the universe. A few words and a smile from a bus driver can change the atmosphere for so many worn out passengers. A single mitzvah can tip the scale for our Nation.

Therefore the pasuk uses the term “see.” Look with your eyes and see how Klal Yisrael is divided into two parts. From this vision you’ll be able to constantly depict for yourself the state of the world and your power to influence it.

This is also the reason for beginning the pasuk in the singular and continuing in the plural — to teach that each individual must realize that many are dependent on him. (ibid.)

See. Envision the scene before you. We’re all together waiting for our ultimate destination. It’s up to us to take the steps we need to get us there.

The reason the pasuk uses the word “today” parallels the words of the gemara: “A person should always see himself as if he is half meritorious and half guilty.”

This commandment is applicable every day to each one of us. The person who contemplates this matter at all times will walk on his path confidently turning away from evil and doing only good. (ibid.)

Today. The message is for today and for every day of your life. Every effort you make every step you take forward. Every moment every action is counted and each has the potential to influence the entire world.