Derasha 1 on Lech Lecha 12:3

TT #1 · Parashas Lech Lecha · First Aliyah · Passuk 12:3

Complete Passuk

וַאֲבָֽרֲכָה֙ מְבָ֣רְכֶ֔יךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ֖ אָאֹ֑ר וְנִבְרְכ֣וּ בְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָֽה׃

I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed through you.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

TT points to Sotah 38b (verified): one who is given the cup of blessing and refuses has his days shortened.

E-Daf image

Core Text

Core Text מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ, מִי שֶׁנּוֹתְנִין לוֹ כּוֹס שֶׁל בְּרָכָה לְבָרֵךְ וְאֵינוֹ מְבָרֵךְ מִתְקַצְּרִים יָמָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַאֲבָרְכָה מְבָרְכֶיךָ.
English of Core Text: From here they said: one who is given a cup of blessing to recite and does not recite it has his days shortened, as it is said “I will bless those who bless you.”
On the daf / in context: The discussion concerns the guest who is offered the privilege of leading Birkat HaMazon and declines. Refusal is treated as withholding blessing from the host.

Type of Learning

Custom

What Is Learned

Accepting the opportunity to bless others is itself a source of blessing; declining it carries a cost.