Portions Library

A collection of essays on the weekly Torah Portions, from Genesis to Deuteronomy, adapted from Torah Club.

Ki TavoRead / Listen to Portion

Ki Tavo

PORTIONS LIBRARY

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A Heart to Know

Without bread, wine, or beer, they had somehow survived well-fed and nourished through the whole journey. After seeing the miracles in Egypt, the revelation at Sinai, the wonders of the wilderness, and the constant provision on the journey—after experiencing God in such a tangible and intimate way, why would Israel be in need of reproof or warning at all?

Topics:

circumcision of the heart, forgiveness, heart, Ki Tavo, new covenant, provision, repentance, revelation, salvation

Imitating God

The commandment to imitate God is the fundamental principle of godliness. The Master expresses the idea, encouraging us to imitate God, “That you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:45). A classic passage of the Talmud explains the mitzvah of walking in His ways.

Topics:

ethics, Imitatio Dei, Imitation of God, Ki Tavo, Torah living

Good Karma

But one who looks intently at the perfect Torah, the Torah of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25)

Topics:

actions, blessing, consequences, curse, curse of the law, curses and blessings, deeds, disobedience, karma, Ki Tavo, obedience, punishment, reward, success

A Capricious God

All through the book of Deuteronomy, Moses drives home the message: "Keep God's Torah." When Israel failed to keep the Torah, God sent prophets warning them to repent and turn back to Torah. When they repented, they were rewarded and blessed. When they did not, they suffered.

Topics:

character of God, characterizing God, curses and blessings, immutable, Ki Tavo, Torah

God's First Fruits

When God prospers us, we are to show our gratitude by returning a portion to Him in the form of charitable gifts. In the days of the Temple, the farmers in Israel were obligated to give an annual tithe to Levites, then take a second tithe for festival expenses and to share with the poor.

Topics:

first fruits, holy people, Ki Tavo, nation of Israel, people of God, treasured possession

Cursed Under the Law

Christians should beware the tendency to cite Deuteronomy 28 as evidence for the everlasting cursedness of the Jewish people. Christian interpretation has historically regarded the Torah’s curses as proof that God has rejected His people. The opposite is true.

Topics:

curse of the law, curses and blessings, Ki Tavo

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For a chronological list of all the Torah Portions in each of the five books of Torah, click here.