Seeing Beyond the Moment: The Torah's Secret to Choosing Blessing

Parashat Re'eh contains fifty-five commandments. Before introducing them, Moses opens the portion with these powerful words: "See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

Moses begins with this introduction because he recognizes what appears to be an imbalance between blessing and curse, between listening to God's commandments and ignoring them, and between the good inclination and the evil inclination.

The evil inclination tempts us to choose comfort and immediate physical pleasure instead of accepting the responsibilities of a life guided by mitzvot. It seems to pay in cash. The pleasures of wrongdoing are immediate, and according to the Sages, the wicked receive their reward primarily in this world. The good inclination, however, appears to pay on credit, since the righteous receive the greater part of their reward in the World to Come.

Evil almost always appears sweeter than good. Choosing what is right is rarely easy.

For this reason, Moses emphasizes the importance of seeing beyond the present moment. He tells the Jewish people: know that there is blessing and there is curse. Be patient. Choose the long-term reward over the short-term pleasure.

Looking Beyond the Beginning of the Road

The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, beginning of Parashat Re'eh) compares life's choices to two roads.

One road begins with thorns but ends on smooth, level ground. The other begins pleasantly but ultimately becomes filled with thorns and obstacles. The lesson is simple: never judge a path only by its beginning. Always consider where it leads.

The Vilna Gaon offers another insightful observation. He asks why the Torah says, "I place before you today a blessing and a curse," instead of saying "good and evil" or "life and death."

He explains that good and evil, or life and death, describe immediate realities. Blessing and curse, however, unfold over time. They require patience before their true results become visible.

Moses is teaching the Jewish people to look beyond first impressions. Life is like a highway with two lanes. Every person has the freedom to choose which lane to travel, but we must never forget that one road leads to blessing and the other to curse.

The Vilna Gaon also notes that the verse begins with the singular word, but immediately shifts to the plural. This change teaches that each individual must learn to see the truth independently and not simply follow the crowd. Even if everyone else chooses a different path, a person must have the courage to recognize the truth and walk it alone.

Moses Speaks From Personal Experience

The Ohr HaChaim offers a remarkable interpretation of the opening words: "See, I place before you today..."

He explains that when Moses says, "I," he is referring to himself rather than to God. In effect, Moses is saying: "Look at me."

According to the Ohr HaChaim, Moses is teaching a fundamental principle about offering guidance and constructive criticism. A person should never give advice from a position of distance or superiority. True guidance must come from empathy and identification with the other person.

The reason is that rebuke naturally puts people on the defensive. The first question someone silently asks when being corrected is: "Do you really understand me? Have you ever stood where I stand? Do you know what it costs to make the changes you're asking of me? You, Moses — who seem so holy — can you truly understand the appeal of the path you're telling me to avoid?"

Moses answers those unspoken questions before they are even asked. He says, "See—I." "I am placing myself before you. I speak from personal experience."

Moses was not born as an angel. He did not live a life untouched by temptation. He was raised in Pharaoh's palace, the most powerful and luxurious household in the world. He experienced wealth, privilege, and influence. He faced tremendous personal challenges and difficult choices.

From that experience he tells the Jewish people: "I know exactly what I am asking of you. I understand your struggles because I have faced my own. Believe me when I tell you that although the choice is yours, the outcomes are vastly different. One path leads to blessing, the other to curse."

His words carry authority not because he stands above the people, but because he stands with them.

The Foundation of Meaningful Guidance

This teaching offers a profound lesson for every relationship. Whether between husband and wife, parent and child, teacher and student, or friend and friend, the first rule of offering guidance is empathy.

Do not speak only in the name of truth or justice. First, try to see the world through the other person's eyes. Stand in their place. Understand their struggles, their fears, and the challenges they face.

Only advice that is rooted in genuine understanding has the power to touch another person's heart and inspire lasting change.