י״ח בְּאֱלוּל תשע״ג
- SHABAT 18th of Elul, 5773
- SatUrday, 24 August 2013
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HARAV KOOK'S
* TORAH * INSTITUTE
WEEKLY * TORAH * TEACHINGS
PARASHAT * KI TAVO *
READ and LEARN FROM
There are many things we can do to
create local culture that links God,
land, and people.
create local culture that links God,
land, and people.
The Land of Israel has been conquered and divided,
and Jewish farmers have settled into the yearly
cycle of growth and harvest
and Jewish farmers have settled into the yearly
cycle of growth and harvest
Now they are given a special commandment,
one applying only in the Land: they must take
their first fruits to the Temple to
express their gratitude to God.
one applying only in the Land: they must take
their first fruits to the Temple to
express their gratitude to God.
The first verses of this week's Torah portion,
Ki Tavo, describe the ritual of bikkurim, first
fruits (Deut. 26:2): "…you shall take of the first
of every fruit of the ground that you bring in
from your Land that your God gives you, and you
shall put it in a basket and go to the place that
your God, will choose…" As we will explore below,
the farmers were not only thanking God for an
abundant harvest, but also affirming the link between
God, themselves, the Land of Israel, and the
collective history of the Jewish nation.MORE>
Ki Tavo, describe the ritual of bikkurim, first
fruits (Deut. 26:2): "…you shall take of the first
of every fruit of the ground that you bring in
from your Land that your God gives you, and you
shall put it in a basket and go to the place that
your God, will choose…" As we will explore below,
the farmers were not only thanking God for an
abundant harvest, but also affirming the link between
God, themselves, the Land of Israel, and the
collective history of the Jewish nation.MORE>
Offering of the First Fruits (בִּכּוּרִים,
bikkurim) (illustration from a Bible card
published between 1896 and 1913 by
the Providence Lithograph Company)
Moses instructs the Israelites regarding the
first fruit offering; Moses then lists the
blessings for keeping the commandments
and the punishments for disobeying them.
first fruit offering; Moses then lists the
blessings for keeping the commandments
and the punishments for disobeying them.
Moses continues his last speech before the Israelites,
"When you dwell in the promised land, take a selection
of the first fruits and bring them to the place
God chooses for God's Name.
"When you dwell in the promised land, take a selection
of the first fruits and bring them to the place
God chooses for God's Name.
With a priest you shall make an offering saying,
'We remember when we were slaves in Egypt.
We remember how God brought us to freedom with
a strong hand and outstretched arm, with signs
and miracles. You, God brought, us to this land
flowing with milk and honey. And now I have
brought these first fruits that you,
God, have given me.'MORE
'We remember when we were slaves in Egypt.
We remember how God brought us to freedom with
a strong hand and outstretched arm, with signs
and miracles. You, God brought, us to this land
flowing with milk and honey. And now I have
brought these first fruits that you,
God, have given me.'MORE
Offering of the First Fruits (בִּכּוּרִים,
bikkurim) (illustration from a Bible card
published between 1896 and 1913 by
the Providence Lithograph Company)
MORE COMMENTARIES
FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS
IN JUDAISM
|
from Torah Topics for Today
from AJWS
from Women of Reform Judaism
from Jewish Outreach Institute
from Social Action
from KOLEL
from Orthodox Union
from JTS
|
Today may be dark,
but tomorrow,
God's light will shine
on His people
.
Rosh Hashanah; the seven-week period when
haftarot of consolation are read in synagogue.
All these haftarot, including this week's, feature
comforting themes for a nation traumatized by
the destruction of the Temple and the exile.
In the haftarah for Ki Tavo, Isaiah focuses on images
of light to remind the people that though they may
be experiencing a dark time, God's countenance and
light will eventually return.
The first verse of the haftarah typifies this:
"Arise, shine, for your light has dawned More
JERUSALEM OF THE GOLD
Song By DEMIS ROUSSOS
Sent By Yoel / Israel
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