Blessings and Curses

Ki Tavo
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Synopsis
Moses continues his review of the Law begun in the previous portion, Ki Teitzei.  He tells the people that when they enter the Land and settle it, they are to bring the first fruits as sacrifices.  The ceremony for bringing this sacrifice is detailed.  As part of this ritual, the priest recites a brief history of the Israelites - Abraham's/Jacob's wanderings, the experience of slavery in Egypt, the Exodus, and ultimately the occupation and possession of the Promised Land.

Moses concludes his review of the Law with instructions about tithing.  An individual's tithe is one-tenth of the harvest.  This tenth part is divided and distributed among the Levites, the strangers, the orphaned, and the widowed.

Moses gives his final instructions to the people.  Upon crossing the Jordan, the people are to set up 12 stones on Mount Ebal. The stones are to be covered with plaster and inscribed with the laws which Israel is to obey.

Ki Tavo concludes with a dramatic description of the recitation of the blessings and curses.  The tribes are divided into two groups with Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin on Mt. Gerizim reciting "Amen" after blessings are pronounced, which the Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulum, Dan, and Naphtali tribes on Mt. Ebal respond "Amen" after each curse.

Some questions for your dinner table:

1. Throughout the Biblical period, there was no real structure for prayer.  People mostly used their own words and style.  Ki Tavo, which means "when you enter [the Promised Land]," there is, for the first time, a specific structure and context given for a worship experience.  Which do you prefer?  Are you more comfortable with unstructured personal prayer, or do you prefer the structure of prayer found in a service led by a Rabbi or Hazzan?

2. Towards the end of Ki Tavo, there is a dramatic recitation of the blessings and curses.  Scholars see these as an ancient series of rules the people were to follow, with the blessings and curses being the way that they were enforced.  Are you ever in a situation where you have to make sure others are following the rules?  What is it like to be the one in this role?

3) Do you think God still sends blessings and curses? How?