Parashat Ki Tavo (כי תבוא) — Devarim 26:1 – 29:8. Read on Shabbat, September 18, 2027.
Summary of Parashat Ki Tavo
When the people enter the land, each person is to bring the first fruits of his harvest to the place G-d will choose. He will hand them to the kohen and make a declaration recounting the history of the people, from the wandering forefather to the Exodus from Egypt and the arrival in this land flowing with milk and honey, and then rejoice in the good he has received, together with the Levite and the stranger. After distributing the tithes, he will declare that he has given them according to the commandments and ask G-d to bless His people and the land. Moshe proclaims that on this day G-d and Israel have bound themselves to one another. He commands that after crossing the Jordan, great stones coated with plaster be set up, on which the words of the Torah are to be written, and that an altar be built on Mount Eval. Six tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim and six on Mount Eval, and the Levites will proclaim a series of curses against those who commit certain sins, particularly in secret, to which the people will answer “Amen.” Moshe then sets out the blessings promised to those who heed the voice of G-d, followed by a long series of warnings should they fail to do so: disease, defeat, famine and exile. Finally, he reminds the people of all they saw in Egypt and in the wilderness, where for forty years their clothes did not wear out, and urges them to keep the covenant.
The themes
- First fruits and gratitude
- Rejoicing in the good received
- Renewing the covenant with G-d
Rav Raphaël Benizri’s lectures on Ki Tavo
There is no lecture by the Rav on this parasha yet. Find all available lectures on the Weekly Parasha page.
A question for the Shabbat table
When bringing his first fruits, each person recounts the entire history of his people: why connect our successes to those who came before us?
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Summary by the Pensées Juives editorial team. The Rav’s teachings are in his lectures, linked above.