RE"EH

ראה אנכי נתן לפניכם היום ברכה וקללה

Many question the change of vernacular from singular to plural, as Moshe rabeinu spoke to Klal Yisrael in the first pasuk of our parshah. The pasuk reads as follows: ראה -"See" - in the singular form (as opposed to ראו), and then continues, אנכי נותן לפניכם I give before you - plurally (as opposed to לפניך).

A most interesting and thought provoking (though not quite understandable) answer comes from the מגיד מישרים (the angelic heavenly voice that the בית יוסף was accustomed to hearing). He says that ברכה וקללה are actually spiritual entities that exist in the world. They are not simply  prayers or good and evil wishes, but they are creations of G-D, similar to the soul and angels, which are existant as spiritual matter and not just theoretical ideas. This is why the terminology of "giving" a ברכה is appropriate and very litteral, as the מברך actually gives and places this spiritual matter of ברכה upon the recipient. However only the few and very holy people amongst the masses wer able to perceive these spiritual entities, just as most people could not see angels, spirits, and the like. Therefore Moshe said regarding the few singular individuals who were on the level to see the ברכה וקללה being given, ראה - singularly; whereas the placement, though not visible to all, was actually done before all of Klal Yisrael and so it was correct to say לפניכם - plurally.

This idea is in harmony with the what we know about Bil'am. Chazal say Bil'am's power rested in the fact that he knew of when קללה can come upon the world.

These facts reinforce our knowledge that the spiritual spheres of the world exist no differently than the tangible material world we are used to, with a mechanism and science of its own. Mitzvah gorreres mitzvah and aveirah gorreres aveirah, for example, are like chemical chain reactions that we can bank on, or be seriously concerned about, no different than the beneficial  reaction to medicine or the very real danger of poisons.

As we announce the approach of Chodesh Elul this shabbos, let us appreciate the reality of the spiritual environment of the month. The roshei teivos of Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li inform us that Elul is a month long, private honeymoon for kneses yisroel and Hashem. What a golden opportunity to reconnect and develop a stronger bond than before. What a terrible time for even the slightest negativity to arise in the relationship!

Ah gutten shabbos & ah gutten chodesh!