The posuk instructs a person to do Teshuvah (repentance) no matter whether he experiences “blessings or curses.” We know that trials and tribulations - “curses” - awaken a person’s heart to repentance. But how is it possible that “blessings” can bring one to repentance? Just the opposite, the more one is blessed, the more he feels he has done everything right - he has no need for repentance!

     R’ Yisroel Baal Shem Tov zt"l explains by way of a parable. This can be likened to a simple person who rebels against the king. Instead of punishing the man, the king gives him an important position. He brings him into his palace and, little by little, raises him to a venerable level until he is second only to the king himself. With all the good the king has shown him, one would think the rebel would be thrilled and yet, all he does is agonize over how he could have possibly rebelled. Every day, his thoughts were on one question: How could he have conspired against such a good and merciful king? What can he do, now that he is in a position of authority to make it up to his king?

     The nimshal, explains the holy Baal Shem, is that we see that even blessings, kindness and mercy can awaken great repentance in a human being; in fact it can be so great that it is felt deeper than any punishment could possibly effect. 

     In today’s time, many Jews “have it good” - they enjoy prosperity, good health, a happy family life and fulfillment. They do not experience many tribulations and thus do not have the opportunities borne out of desperate situations to turn to the Almighty and pour out their hearts in repentance. Yet, such a person is certainly not exempt from the mitzvah of Teshuvah. The way he must go about this mitzvah is by recognizing all the good he has been given and allow this thought to humble him to the point where he feels guilty for ever having “rebelled” against Hashem.