EXTRA · Parashas Reeh · First Aliyah · Passuk 11:26
Supplementary classical material for a passuk with no Torah Temimah citation.
See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse.
Classical source: Sifrei Devarim 53.
English: “See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse” — Why is this said? Because it is written (Devarim 30:19) “Life and death I have set before you, the blessing and the curse,” lest Israel say: Since the Omnipresent has set before us two paths, the path of life and the path of death, we may walk in whichever we wish; therefore Scripture states “and you shall choose life.”
Derash on the parallel verses (Sifrei) — the later command “choose life” clarifies the earlier presentation of two paths.
The two paths are set before Israel, yet the Torah does not leave the choice open-ended; it explicitly commands “choose life.”