Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Parasha Overview: Ki Tavo (Videos)

Ki Tavo, Ki Thavo, Ki Tabo, Ki Thabo, or Ki Savo (כִּי-תָבוֹא — Hebrew for “when you enter,” the second and third words, and the first distinctive words, in the parshah) is the 50th weekly Torah portion (parshah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the seventh in the book of Deuteronomy. It constitutes Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8. Jews in the Diaspora generally read it in September. This Torah portion begins with laws regarding first fruits and tithes. It goes on to discuss covenant renewal, after which Moses recites the blessings guaranteed to Israel for covenant obedience and warns of the curses for apostasy. Following the last two Parshios that focused on Justice and the value of individual rights, Moshe directed the nation's attention to the realities of what it meant to live in Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel). During the 40 years of the desert, the people of Israel were being prepared to accept the reality of HaShem's mastery and the responsibility of keeping His mitzvot (commandments). Now, in Parshas Ki Tavo, as they were poised to cross the Yarden and assume their intended place as "... highest of all the nations on earth." (28:1) Moshe commanded a number of declarations and ceremonies. These ceremonies would underscore the cause and effect relationship that exists between adherence to Torah, the laws of nature, and the divine responsiveness of...