The I of the Beholder

“Cursed is the one who does not uphold the words of this Torah, to fulfill them.” (Devarim 27:26)

The Ramban cites the Yerushalmi (Sotah 7:4): “Has the Torah fallen, that it needs to be upheld?” Rabi Tanchum explains that this curse refers to one who learns, teaches, and performs all the mitzvos in the Torah, yet refuses to strengthen others, despite his ability to do so. Conversely, Rabi Yirmiyah continues, “One who does not learn, teach, or perform the mitzvos, yet still manages to assist others, receives the title of ‘blessed.’”

Harav Mordechai Druk asks: How can one who seemingly keeps the entire Torah be classified as accursed? Even more puzzling, how can one whose observance of Torah is so lacking be considered blessed just for helping others? (Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Parsha Encounters)

Some of my happiest summer memories are from my time in Camp Sternberg, starting in third grade and way on to the teenage division, Camp Heller, as staff. Activities, trips, late night DMCs… it all evokes warm, fuzzy feelings of nostalgia.

I remember a particular activity we participated in during the Nine Days, an all-day contest intended to highlight the ideal of focusing on others, not ourselves. Each camper and staff member got a safety pin with a small piece of ribbon attached. As we went through the day, we had to be conscious not to say the word “I” (one of the most used words in the world!). If you mentioned that word, you forfeited all your ribbons to whomever you were speaking with. By the end of the day whoever had the most ribbons (obviously the least self-centered person in camp) would win.

In order to understand the implications of the terms “arur, cursed” and “baruch, blessed,” let’s examine the motives of those people who first received these titles.

After the Mabul, Noach leaves the teivah, and his son Cham maims him, preventing him from having more children. Cham’s motivation was to avoid sharing the world with additional inheritors. It was purely selfish, and Noach curses him.  On the other hand, his brother Shem was called “blessed,” because of his sensitivity toward his father’s dignity, a selfless act. Thus, the titles “cursed” and “blessed” are not descriptions of a person’s commitment to Torah; rather, descriptions of whether a person lives a self-centered existence or not.

Sue (Sima) Goldstein, the legendary director of Camp Heller, was a genius with these types of things. By the time supper came around, she had amassed so many ribbons, a decorated general couldn’t compete with her. No one was managing to trip her up, and everyone was trying.

It was almost night activity, and Sue was going to walk off with the grand prize — the rest of us didn’t even come close. Until one camper approached her and said…. I’d like to say I still recall the fateful sentence, but my memory tends to be selective these days. But I do remember Sue’s shocked face as she realized she’d messed up. All her ribbons, every single last one of them, went to Rikki (the camper’s name I do remember!), as she brought down the house with cheers and laughter.