וְהָיָה כִּֽי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה וִֽירִשְׁתָּהּ וְיָשַׁבְתָּ בָּהּ׃ “
And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it”
|
Shabbat |
Name |
Parasha |
Haftora |
Brit Chadasha |
|
Sept. 2 2023 |
Ki-Tavo |
Deut. 26:1-29:8 |
Isaiah 60:1-22 |
Eph. 1:3-6 |
Having underscored the role of memory at the conclusion of last week’s Parasha (remembering the cruelty of Amalek), the Torah now accentuates the importance of appreciation in Parashat Ki Tavo. Once the Israelites settle the Land of Israel and plant their crops, they are commanded to place their first fruits in a basket, bring them to the devotional site, and present them to the priest. Here we find the only words that a worshiper spoke upon coming to the Temple, while presenting a sacrifice and the first fruits of his field and his flock.
In this week's reading Moses repeats the covenant, including the blessings and curses (Deut. 28:1-69) presented in Leviticus (26:3-46), but with certain changes and content. We also find in the Hafrorah in Isaiah 63:16 (TLV) For You are our Father—even if Abraham would not know us or Israel not recognize us. You, Adonai, are our Father, our Redeemer—from everlasting is Your Name. Isaiah, the worshiper and Prophet claims the Lord God as the father of Israel, not Abraham. With all of Abraham’s greatness, both in this passage in Isaiah and in Deuteronomy 26, Abraham is not the father of the nation, or the savior of the nation of Israel, or the deliverer of Israel from Egyptian slavery. God Himself is the Savior and the Redeemer of Israel,
All the ways of the Lord are true and righteous, and whatever all Merciful God does is for good, we will naturally be happy with our portion, for we are in "good hands," embraced by our Heavenly Father. . How wonderful it would be to keep a humble attitude, and give the Lord the credit for all that we are, and all that we have, and all that we can give to Him. The honor and glory for the goodness and deliverance that He has done for us. Yes, even when it is hard, and even when the enemy is persecuting us, and affliction is our daily bread, even then, giving the Lord the honor and gratitude is
