Parshat Ki Tavo speaks of the curses and blessings awaiting Bnei Yisrael. While we all want blessings and would like no curse placed on us, we need curses. But why does the curse need to be before the blessing?

Just as much as we don’t want to be cursed and punished, Hashem does not want us to be cursed or punished. However, just like a parent, who wants to teach his child, Hashem must give us the curse and punishment so that we get better and can merit the blessing.

The second reason the curse is told first is that when a curse is followed by a blessing, we can feel Hashem in our lives even more. We can recognize that He is giving us blessings and appreciate the gift. Sometimes we take credit for the good that happens and pass a blessing as if it wasn’t there. Hashem is reminding us that the curse is a gift of love, to make us better and that we should recognize the blessings that Hashem gives us. May we all see that our curses and punishments from Hashem are to make us better and to become better people. May we recognize Hashem’s hand in everything and feel His blessings.

Shira Sedek is a passionate educator currently working toward a master’s degree at Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.