“See, I present before you today a blessing and a curse.” (Devarim 11:26)
Our parsha begins with these powerful words. Yet, the language is challenging. The verse begins with the word “re’eh- see” in singular and then shifts to “lifneichem- you,” plural.
Why does the pasuk shift from singular to plural?
Ibn Ezra (11th-12th C. Spain), in his commentary, offers an explanation so simple, so elegant, yet so profound. In three words he writes: “l’chol echad yidabeir.” Yes, Moshe is addressing the entire Jewish people, but he is speaking …

The Torah prohibits expressing grief through injury to the self:
“You are children to Hashem, your G-d- you shall not cut yourselves and you shall not make a bald spot between your eyes for a dead person.” (Devarim 14:1)
Self- mutilation and excessive grief are not ways in which we mourn. But why does the pasuk begin, “Banim atem l’Hashem Elokaichem- You are children to Hashem, your G-d…?”
What does the prohibition of inappropriate mourning have to do with the parent-child relationship that we share with G-d?
Sforno (16th C. …