Parshah for Ki Tavo Shabbat 13 September 2025/ 29 Elul, 5785
Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22
The Israelites are commanded to bring the first of their fruit to the Temple, and to deliver all tithes to their proper recipients. Moses explains how the blessings and curses are to be proclaimed on Mts. Grizzim and Ebal when the Jewish nation enters into Israel. He then details the blessings they will receive for following the commandments of the Torah, and the calamities which will result from disregarding them.
This section introduces us to the mitzvah of bikurim, the requirement to bring one’s first fruits to the Holy Temple. This mitzvah applies to fruits and produce grown in the land of Israel, and only those for which the land of Israel is praised: wheat, barley, dates, figs, grapes, pomegranates and olives. When in the Temple, the owner of the fruits recites a brief thanksgiving prayer to God and presents the produce to the priests.
During Temple times, Jewish farmers were required to separate from their produce several different tithes. These were distributed to the priests, the Levites, the poor, and one tithe which was eaten by its owners in Jerusalem. The different tithes were not all given each year, rather there was a three-year cycle. In this aliyah, the Torah gives the procedure to be followed on the day before Passover during those years which followed the conclusion of a cycle. The farmer was to declare that he has performed all his tithing duties and then beseeches God to bless His people and the Land.
Moses admonishes the Jews to observe God’s commandments; reminding them that they have selected Him to be their god, and He, in turn, has chosen them to be His holy and treasured nation.
The Jews are instructed to gather large stones when they cross the Jordan River. These stones were to be plastered, and the entire Torah was to be engraved upon them. Another set of stones was also to be inscribed with the entire Torah, and be set on Mt. Ebal.
The Jewish people are instructed to proclaim blessings and curses on Mts. Grizzim and Ebal. The elders of the Levite Tribe together with the Holy Ark stood between the two mountains, and six tribes were stationed atop each mountain. The Levites and priests faced each mountain alternately, and stated the blessing and curses. At the end of the aliyah , we are told of the bountiful blessings which will shower us if we hearken to God’s commandments.
This section continues with the aforementioned blessings, and then launches a lengthy description of all the maledictions and suffering which will befall the Jews when they neglect the mitzvot.
Moses reminds the Jews of all the miracles which have been their lot from when God took them out of Egypt until that very day. He concludes by saying that it is therefore incumbent upon them to follow God’s covenant.
Lectura Parashá Ki Tavo, 20 Elul, 5785/ Septiembre 13, 2025
Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22
Moshe instruye al Pueblo de Israel: Cuando entres a la tierra que Di-s te esta entregando como herencia eterna, y la establezcas y la cultives, trae las primeras frutas (bicurím) de tu huerta al Sagrado Templo, y declara tu gratitud por todo lo que Di-s ha hecho por ti.
Esta sección también incluye las leyes de los diezmos dados a los Leviím y a los pobres, las instrucciones detalladas de cómo proclamar las bendiciones y las maldiciones en los montes Grizím y Eival, como fue discutido al comienzo de la sección Ree.
Moshe recuerda a la gente que son el pueblo elegido por Dios y que ellos, a su vez, han elegido a Dios.
La última parte de Ki Tavó consiste en la Tojajá (reprimenda). Luego de listar las bendiciones con las cuales Di-s premiará a la gente cuando ellos sigan las leyes de la Torá, Moshe da una larga y dura lista de cosas malas, como enfermedad, hambruna, pobreza y exilio, que ocurrirán si ellos abandonan los preceptos de Dios.
Moshe concluye diciendo al pueblo que sólo hoy, cuarenta años después de su nacimiento como pueblo, alcanzaron “un corazón para saber, ojos para ver y oídos para escuchar”.
