God blesses those who bless you, curses those who curse you - opinion

“And I will bless those who bless you, and anyone who curses you, I will curse” (Genesis 12:3).

God called on Abram to move from his birthplace and set off for a new land. Abram was to lay the foundations for a righteous society that recognized the One God and that repudiated all forms of idolatry. God promised Abram that he would be a blessing to all the families of the earth.

Setting new standards of faith and morality, Abram would attract followers. But he would also be the target of enemies who resented his teachings. So God reassured Abram that He will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. God’s promise is echoed in the blessing later given to the Israelites by Bilam: “Blessed be everyone who blesses you, and cursed be everyone who curses you” (Numbers 24:9).

Throughout the history of our people, surely there have been many who have been blessed by their blessing us. Many millions have led happier and more meaningful lives through their attachment to the Hebrew Bible. Many have blessed, and have been blessed by, the many contributions of the Jewish people to civilization.

Likewise, throughout history, there have been many who have cursed us and have committed every sort of atrocity against us. But in what ways have they been cursed by God? It sometimes (often?) feels that the haters are not subjected to the wrath of God. 

In our own times, we see antisemites/anti-Zionists eagerly cursing and threatening us. Although we are blessed with a strong State of Israel and a robust Diaspora community, the enemies are relentless. We wonder: in what way is God cursing those who curse us?

Perhaps God’s blessings and curses are not externally imposed but are consequences of people’s own choices in life.

Torah: two paths for humanity

The Torah presents two paths for humanity. The positive essence of Judaism teaches us to choose life, love our fellow human beings, serve the Lord faithfully. All who attach themselves to these ideals are themselves blessed. They live constructive, love-filled lives. Their faith strengthens them in good times and bad.

But those who curse us and our teachings are thereby choosing a destructive way of life. Their hatred poisons their lives. By cursing us and what we represent, they actually bring a curse upon themselves.

When the State of Israel was established in 1948, the Arab world exploded in hatred of the Jewish state. In all these years, Palestinians and supporters have invested billions of dollars in weaponry, tunnels, anti-Israel boycotts, etc. What is the result of all this hatred? Instead of having a peaceful and prosperous Palestinian society, the Palestinians are cursed with an ongoing legacy of hatred, violence, and loss of life. They have raised generations of haters rather than generations of those who choose life, who bless Israel as a partner in peace and prosperity.

More generally, those who curse and hate Israel thereby undermine their own lives. Instead of devoting their energies, talents, and resources in constructive ways, they embrace a negative way of life.

When God assured blessings for those who bless Israel and curses for those who curse Israel, these were not idle promises. They are fulfilled every day of the week.

We surely would like the haters to rethink their destructive ways and free themselves of the curses they have brought upon themselves and others. Those who choose blessing and life are themselves blessed. Those who choose cursing and death are themselves cursed.

The writer is director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals (jewishideas.org) and rabbi emeritus of the historic Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York City.