The Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy, delves into this very question. Specifically, it looks at the verse that promises blessings "from the beginning of the year until the end of the year." What does that really mean?
One interpretation is The Sifrei Devarim suggests that on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, a decree goes out. It's not just about whether we get a sweet year, but a detailed plan: how much rain and dew will fall, how much the sun will shine, and how strong the winds will blow. It's a cosmic weather forecast, divinely ordained!
But that's not all. There’s another, perhaps more comforting, interpretation. "From the beginning of the year until the end of the year" can also mean that we are blessed in our endeavors. In our businesses, in our planting, in everything we put our hands to – we will be blessed. It’s a promise of prosperity and success in all our efforts.
Then the text pushes further, raising a crucial point: Are the fruits in the field only blessed while they’re in the field? What about when they're safely stored away? The answer, according to the Sifrei Devarim, is a resounding yes! It's all within God's domain, to bestow blessing whether things are in the field or in the house. As Deuteronomy 28:8 says, "The L-rd shall command unto you the blessing in your store-houses and in all to which you put your hand." It's not just about the harvest; it's about the security and abundance of what we have.
And the prophet Haggai reinforces this idea (2:19): "Is there any more seed in the silo? Even the grapevine and the fig tree and the pomegranate tree have not borne their fruit, (but) from this day on, I will bless." Even if things look bleak, blessing can still flow.
The text goes on to explain how blessings extend to all aspects of our lives. The Sifrei Devarim asks, where does it say that this blessing extends to our homes? Deuteronomy 28:3 answers: "Blessed shall you be in the city (including the storehouses), and blessed shall you be in the field." Even our flour is blessed, as Deuteronomy 28:5 says: "Blessed shall be your basket and your (kneading) bowl."
What about our comings and goings? Deuteronomy 28:6: "Blessed shall you be in your coming in and blessed shall you be in your leaving." Even eating isn't excluded, Deuteronomy 8:6 teaches us: "And you shall eat and you shall be sated and you shall bless."
It all comes down to this: even digestion! As Exodus 23:25 promises, "and I shall remove sickness from your midst." In other words, the blessings touch every part of our existence, from the grand decrees of the new year down to the most intimate processes within our bodies.
So, what do we take away from all of this? Perhaps it's a reminder that blessings aren't just about material wealth or good fortune. They're about a sense of wholeness, of being cared for and sustained in every aspect of our lives. It’s about trusting that even when things are out of our control – the weather, the economy, even the workings of our own bodies – there’s a force for good at play, ensuring that we are blessed "from the beginning of the year until the end of the year." And maybe, just maybe, that thought can bring a little peace to our hearts as we face the uncertainties ahead.