Parshat Ki Tavo; Deuteronomy 26:1 –29:8 by Rabbi Denise L. Eger
The parasha opens with lines that should be familiar to anyone who has sat through endless Passover Seders.
“My father was a wandering Aramaen. He went down to Ebypt with meager numbers and sojourned there; but there he became a great and very populous nation. The Egyptians dealt harshly with us and oppressed us; they imposed heavy labor upon us. We cried to Adonai the God of our ancestors, and God heard our plea and saw our plight, our misery and our oppression. God freed us from Egypt by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm and awesome power and by signs and portents.”
These verses from Deuteronomy (26:5-8) form a section of the Passover Seder.
We traditionally read and study these verses during the Seder and the midrashic commentary upon them so that we can better understand the saga of our people and how we came down to Egypt. Since the Seder experience is recounting our exodus from that slavery and our liberation into freedom and covenant with God, the verses help us to quickly put our story into a context of history and spirituality.
In this portion however, we learn about a different use for these very same verses. These verses are to be recited when offering the first fruits of the harvest in the Promised Land. One goes to the priest at the temple, places the first fruits in a basket and recites these verses. Adding the lines that complete the story: “God brought us to this place and gauve us this land a land flowing with milk and honey. Wherefore I now bring the first fruits of the soil which You Adonai have given me. (Deuteronomy 26:9-10)”
At the Passover Seder the story is incomplete—we are in Egypt—just leaving. But now later in the calendar year—in the month of Elul—as we are preparing for the New Year, we are spiritually and metaphorically and in Biblical plot line preparing to enter the Promised Land. We need to know what our responsibilities and obligations are as a people settled and living in covenant with God.
The New Year will be upon us soon. Roughly two weeks from Shabbat Ki Tavo 5766 will begin. This is the Promised Land to us. Because it is a time we can begin anew. We can settle down from the distresses, sins, disappointments and hurts of the last year. We can renew our relationships between people and yes, even with God.
The New Year and Holy Day Season with its emphasis on both justice and compassion can bring to our arid souls a revival and a renewal of our spiritual growth and wholeness.
Our teachers explain to us that the New Year and Yom Kippur are meaningless unless we prepare for them mentally and spiritually. They will just “pass-over” us unless we take the time to connect with our community and with God and of course, with the deepest parts of ourselves. So how to begin this process?
Take a few moments in quiet by yourself. It might be hard to find a few quiet moments. If you have a tallit at home, you might want to wrap yourself in it. If you have a kippah you might want to put it on. Begin by closing your eyes and breathing deeply for a few deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling. Ask yourself some questions. If I could change one thing for the New Year what would it be? Where did I not live up to my own expectations this past year? Where did I not live up to the standards of my Jewish faith this year? Where did I succeed and go beyond the expectations of myself? What relationships need healing? How can I bring peace into my home and heart? How will I in the New Year, become a better person? How can I become closer to my community and my family? How can I be a better Jew?
Be honest and answer these questions for yourself.
Finally before you open your eyes- offer a prayer from your own heart. Offer a prayer that asks for forgiveness from God and the power to forgive yourself for errors committed in the past year. Offer a prayer for strength in the face of the New Year and to deepen the bonds to your people—the Jewish people. And offer a prayer for peace in the New Year for yourself and your family circle and the world.
This small ritual is not unlike the ritual described in the Torah portion. By bringing the fruits of your harvest—in this case the offerings of your heart to God you will be spiritually ready and prepared to receive the greatest gift of the New Year season—love, forgiveness and a New year of sweetness and peace.
Posted by Lee at September 19, 2005 09:35 AM
