While no one can actually pinpoint the corollary that exists between our rebellious behavior and the curses which follow, a definite pattern in history demonstrates that allegiance to Hashem is followed by blessing and sinful behavior precedes punishment. There are those who vehemently deny this verity, and have chosen to ignore what is plain to see. They continue to remain indifferent to what even a simpleton can deduce.
Hashem has been very upfront with us. In Parashas Ki Savo, the Torah outlines the wonderful blessings that will be showered upon us for complying with the Torah. There is also a litany of ninety-eight curses, which are Hashem’s punishing rod for exacting retribution. The choice is up to us: Do we want to earn blessing, or are we on the road to curse? In his commentary Pnei David, the Chida, zl, observes that there are 676 words in the text of the k’lalos which Moshe Rabbeinu said to the nation. The number 676 is likewise the Gematria, numerical equivalent of the word ra’os, bad/evil.
This is what the Psalmist means when he writes (Tehillim 34:20), Rabos ra’os tzaddik, u’mi’kulam yatzilenu Hashem, “Many are the mishaps of the righteous, but from all of them Hashem rescues him.” The Chida explains this homiletically: The tzaddik, Moshe, enumerated the k’lalos, curses, which (in number of words) equals the word ra’os, 676, but all of these k’lalos can each be turned into blessings by Hashem. As long as we include Hashem in our lives, we will be spared. The Almighty will transform k’lalah into brachah.
How does this radical change occur? The Chida explains that Hashem’s Name is mentioned 26 times in the k’lalos. The Name yud, kay, vov, kay equals 26. Thus, 26 times 26 equals 676. Hashem converts curse into blessing. By including Hashem Echad, the Almighty is one, we add one to 676 increasing the total to 677. Therefore, by incorporating Hashem into our lives, we are able to transform raos = 676 to ezras, salvation, which equals 677. Let us make Hashem a part of our lives. The difference spells salvation.
