“See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse.” (Deuteronomy 11:26)

This week’s parsha begins with one remarkable word:

Not simply hear. Not merely believe. See.

See reality clearly. See the consequences of our choices. See the society we are building.

Judaism is a faith of visibility. The covenant is not hidden behind mystery or reserved for a spiritual elite. It is meant to be seen—in our laws, our leadership, our economy and the way we treat one another. The Torah is not only about personal faith; it is a blueprint for building a society whose values are visible.

As I reflected on these words, I could not help thinking about Israel today.

For almost three years, Israel has lived under the shadow of war. We have endured terrorism, missile attacks, disrupted trade routes, international boycotts and relentless diplomatic pressure. Yet despite everything, Israel’s exports reached a record $164 billion. Israeli innovation continues to transform medicine, agriculture, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and defence. Our economy has demonstrated extraordinary resilience under conditions that would have overwhelmed many nations.

The blessing is visible.

Yet so too is the curse.

Israel is increasingly portrayed as one of the world’s great moral offenders. Our innovations are welcomed, our intelligence is sought and our medical discoveries save lives across the globe, while the nation that produces them is too often condemned. How can one nation be both so blessed and so cursed?

Perhaps that is exactly what Moses asks us to see.

Blessing and curse often exist side by side. The real question is not whether we experience both, but what we choose to do with the blessings entrusted to us.

Immediately after presenting the blessing and the curse, Moses commands Israel to eradicate idolatry from the land. To modern ears,........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)