A Light in the Land

This week’s portion, Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8), continues to be about the goodness of a land the Israelites are about to enter as G!d promised. The haftorah, Isaiah 60, connects to the promises for the land made in Deuteronomy (although occurring at a very different time in Israelite history). This is the last parsha before the week that includes Rosh Hoshannah, the start of the High Holidays (and beginning of the Days of Awe). This week we may attend S’lichot services where penitential verses are recited. It is necessary to prepare our minds for retrospection and repentance, and remembering what G!d has done is essential if we are to understand a need for teshuvah.

The title and beginning of this portion refer to G!d’s instruction of what the people should do when they finally go into the land, namely to prepare and make an offering of the produce of the soil. He tells the people to enjoy the fruit of the land, but gives further instructions for continuing to offer after they are permanently dwelling there. This entails proper preparation for offering (being clean), and giving to those in need as commanded previously.  Rabbi Lilly Kaufman states in her commentary on this portion, “G!d speaks us into the world through continuing creation, revelation, and redemption. We speak G!d into the world by vowing to care for others who need our help and by actually helping them.” Rabbi Marc Wolf says in his commentary, “By dedicating what is most dear to us to G!d – our hard work, our effort, our success – we make the largest sacrifice. By stating that our efforts are due to the grace of G!d, we reduce the focus on human agency and attribute the success to divine providence.”

The end of chapter 26 is worth repetition: “The L!rd your G!d commands you this day to observe these laws and rules; observe them faithfully with all your heart and soul. You have affirmed this day that the L!rd is your G!d, that you will walk in his ways, that you will observe his laws and commandments and rules, and that you will obey him. And the L!rd has affirmed this day that you are, as he promised you, his treasured people who shall observe all his commandments, and that he will set you, in fame and renown and glory, high above all the nations that he has made; and that you shall be, as he promised, a holy people the the L!rd your G!d.” (JPS)

In chapter 26, the famous phrase of Pesach is seen: “My father was a wandering Aramean.” This wandering group of people has been brought out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey (verse 9), a good land of G!d’s promise. Pesach is the commemoration of the story of their collective journey to this land. It may seem interesting, although is really just the continuation of a narrative thread, that the story of the Passover is repeated in a few sentences here. Without G!d’s power and deeds seen in Egypt, the Israelites would not be continuing their story as they entered the land they were to possess.

As the passage moves on, the people move on into the land. Chapter 27 is interesting: What are the words the people are writing on the altar? Certainly, since this is in the Torah, it is not the entire Torah (since this would also be too long!). But, there are assumed to be important words that the entire community of Israel was aware of which should be inscribed for memory in the land during this journey. We also see curses in this chapter. These are read quickly and softly during Torah readings – a tradition that gives a sense of our desire to avoid these curses! The curses continue into the next chapter, but blessings are added – G!d promises to set Israel above all other nations if they obey him. Moses reminds the people after giving these promises and warnings of all they have witnessed during his time with them. He is about to end his farewell speech as they continue into the land.

Isaiah 60, in its usual fashion, contains both accounts of G!d’s anger against Israel, and his unfailing covenant which does not allow him to forsake his people. The end contains great promises and images of the relationship between G!d and his people: “The cry ‘Violence!’ Shall no more be heard in your land, Nor ‘Wrack and ruin!’ Within your borders. And you shall name your walls ‘Victory’ And your gates ‘Renown.’ No longer shall you need the sun For light by day, Nor the shining of the moon For radiance [by night]; For the L!rd shall be your light everlasting, Your G!d shall be your glory. Your sun shall set no more, Your moon no more withdraw; For the L!rd shall be a light to you forever, And your days of mourning shall be ended. And your people, all of them righteous, Shall possess the land for all time; They are the shoot that I planted, My handiwork in which I glory. The smallest shall become a clan; The least, a mighty nation. I the L!rd will speed it in due time.” (JPS)

When G!d’s people enter the land, it belongs to them for all time!