Welcome to the Mussar HaTorah Podcast for Parshas Reeh. Join us as we explore the weekly Parsha, uncovering valuable insights and striving to become the best versions of ourselves through Mussar teachings.
In this week's parsha, Moshe Rabbenu starts by telling us blessings and curses will be given. When it comes to the brachos the Torah uses the word "asher" meaning "that". The Targum translates that word as "im" meaning "if". According to the Baal HaYair, Onkelos is explaining that blessings and curses are both part of a condition. If you do the mitzvos and follow the word of HaShem, you'll receive the blessings; if you don't, you will receive the curses. This is a classic "tenai kaful" or "tenai beni gad v'reuven". This leads to a basic question; why doesn't the Torah use the word "im" for talking about the brachos as it does for the curses?
Rabbeniu Bachya provides an answer. The word "im" implies there is a doubt whether one will or won't fulfill the Torah. "Asher" implies a person will definitely fulfill the mitzvos and as a result will receive the brachos. Therefore the Torah does use the word "im" to avoid the implication that brachos may not be received. In his sefer Derech HaShem (part 1; chapter 4; part 10), Ramchal says that Hashem wants to always give us bracha but we need to come close and deserve it. If we don't then we block ourselves from receiving the bracha from HaShem.
(On a side note, the Baal Haturim says the word "asher" is from the word "ashrei" meaning praiseworthy. This means that a person who fulfills the mitzvos is praiseworthy.)
Rabbeniu Bachya says human beings are unique in the world. Nothing in heavens or earth are like us. In the heavens are spiritual beings that praise Hashem spiritually and not with any physicality. On the earth, creatures praise Hashem physically but without any spirituality. Neither of these groups are praising Hashem by choice. You might say that it is built into their being. Nothing holds them back from fulfilling those responsibilities. Humans have a Neshama; as a result, we are both spiritual and physical. Because we have bechira we are not forced to praise and serve Hashem except by choice. When a person makes the conscious decision to praise Hashem and do the mitzvos they will be rewarded with brachos.
Thank you for listening to the Mussar HaTorah Podcast. Until next time, may we all continue to learn and grow together.
May we constantly choose to fulfill the will of Hashem and merit brachos.
Have a good Shabbos!
(This was adapted from the sefer Lessons from Targum Onkelos written by Rabbi Yehoshua Dovid Portowitz)
