The Portion of Ki Tavo

The Portion of Ki Tavo

This week’s portion contains the extended blessings and curses which the Children of Israel will earn, depending on whether they keep or violate God’s covenant. It also details the ceremony of the first fruits which must be brought to the Temple, as well as the...

Appreciating the Gifts of the Land

Moses teaches the people what they are supposed to do with the bounty which God will give them when they enter the land. First, they are to bring their first fruits before God to the Tabernacle. There, they will be placed in a basket and laid before the altar. The...

A Commitment to the Covenant

Moses reminds the people that they have committed this day to accept God and follow in His ways, and in return, God has accepted them as His people, to protect and to treasure. Moses and the elders then command the people together to record the words of the covenant...

The Blessing and the Curse

This extended passage contains the blessing which the people are promised for fulfilling God’s covenant, as well as the curse they will receive for violating it. Moses instructs the people, upon crossing the Jordan, to line up six tribes on Mount Gerizim, and six on...