This week’s parshah, Re’eh, starts: “Behold I give before you a blessing and a curse ... ”

This is G‑d speaking to the Jewish people (through Moses). We must ask: If G‑d is all good, what does it mean that He gives a curse?

G‑d refers to Himself here as anochi, which is not one of His names. Anochi means “I.” When G‑d refers to himself as anochi, he refers to His essence, greater than any of His names. How is it possible that the essence of G‑d is connected to a curse?

Targum Jonathan translates the word uklalah (“and a curse”) as vechilufah (“and its exchange”). In other words, there is a blessing and then there is its replacement. Similar, but different.

There are different kinds of blessings. There are superficial blessings we all see—basic pleasures we recognize as good. Then there is a deeper good that comes into the world through difficulty and suffering. We don’t see them as blessings at the onset. In time, however, we recognize that they are truly blessings.

Many times, it’s the suffering that brings the greatest change in the world.

So the verse could be understood like this: Behold I give before you a revealed blessing and a concealed blessing. Anochi, G‑d’s essence is only connected to blessing. Different kinds of blessing.

Unfortunately, no one is free from suffering. But recognizing that it’s from G‑d will keep you positive. And you will be filled with a deep sense of purpose knowing that your suffering is making a difference, accomplishing a great good for G‑d.

May G‑d send us all clear, open and revealed blessing. There is no need for suffering anymore. We are all ready for Moshiach.