Parshat Ki Tavo Deuteronomy 26:1-29:1

Parshat Ki Tavo
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:1

As summer comes to a close and September is here, we look ahead to the new Jewish year, 5770. We are in the Hebrew month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish calendar and a month of preparation so that we can begin the New Year with a clean heart and purified soul! We are to take these days of preparation and look deep within ourselves to prepare. Tradition calls it Cheshbon HaNefesh, an accounting of our soul. We aren’t just to show up at services ready to recite a series of formulaic prayers. But we are to take some time for personal review of our words and deeds in the past year; of the relationships that were successful and those that had difficulties. And most importantly, how we contributed to their success or damaged our relationships. Where did we err and how can we rectify those error and transgressions and feel a sense of wholeness and forgiveness? How can we seek forgiveness from those we might have harmed and seek forgiveness for ourselves?

Our Torah portion, Ki Tavo reminds us of several rituals that the Israelites are to engage in once they have crossed over into the Promised Land. They are to gather the first fruits of the harvest and give thanks to God. The people must in addition bring tithes. They must engrave the teachings of the Torah on large stones. And they are to bring offerings and finally engage in a ritual drama between the tribes on Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerezim that acts out and emphasizes the blessings and curses for observing or failure to observe the commandments. Each of these rituals and actions help to reinforce the messages of sticking to the covenant once they enter and begin to settle in the land. They put God and the covenant at the center of their lives. The fear of course is that when they come into contact with the many idolatrous nations they will quickly want to assimilate and acculturate to the local customs and religion. These rituals and actions help preserve in the Israelite mind and heart the unique relationship to the Holy One of Blessing.
So too, this time of year for all of us is designed to help us put the focus on our covenant and our relationship to the Holy One of Blessing and our relationships with others. When we engage in this process of examining the heart and soul we do so in the context of living a Jewish life. When we ask the questions about how we did during the past year and what we need to become the best person we can be, we might ask – What does God want of me? How can I aspire to live a more holy and more present life? How can I turn over a new leaf and make teshuvah for my errors, sins and transgressions against myself, God and others?
Like the Israelites of old who needed reminders—we do too. So come engage in this process of growth and renewal. It will help you cross over into a Promised Land-a land of fulfillment, meaning and the New Year of 5770!