Parshat Ki Tavo

Harvesting Community

Ezra K - September 12, 2025

This week's parsha is Ki Tavo, the story of the first fruits. The commandment was to “Declare your gratitude.” It was a way to show thanks to both Hashem and to our fellow community members for giving us fellowship.

Three types of מַעֲשֵׂר (ma'asser) or tithes were commanded: bring the first harvest to the Levites, bring the food you would eat as an offering to Hashem, and bring food to the hungry of the community.

Providing those who could not grow their own food with the initial harvest—one we have all been waiting for—before yourself, is a remarkable show of ancient unionization. We are then told to make a declaration, promising the community that we gave the fruits to the correct people and did not keep them for ourselves.

The Mishnah, our oral tradition, tells us of an important custom that exemplifies this ethos. It says: “Every single person who brings first fruit who knows how to read, should read this recitation. And everyone who does not know how to read it, you read it for him.” To avoid embarrassment, the practice became that everyone would have it read for them and then repeat it. This standardized the practice of universal design within the social structure of our communities.

The second half of this parsha seems unconnected: the Blessings and Curses. It tells us of the things we must not do or we will be “cursed.” For example: “Cursed be the one who moves a neighbor's landmark.—And all the people shall say, Amen.” We have very clearly failed on this mitzvah.

And again: “Cursed be the one who subverts the rights of the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.—And all the people shall say, Amen.” We have failed here too.

If we do follow the commandments, it is said that “ה' will open for you that bounteous store, the heavens, to provide rain for your land in season and to bless all your undertakings.”

I do not view these writings as literal curses from G-d but rather as warnings of the direct consequences of our actions. The portion concludes: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life, in order that you and your offspring would live.”

These two seemingly different stories are, in fact, deeply related. Both tell us that if we do not provide for our neighbors, we will see the destruction that comes with those consequences. Israel is moving landmarks, killing, and subverting the rights of the stranger. Its retribution? A destroyed land that we were told to love so much we would give up our precious food to show thanks. Offspring who do not have the opportunity to choose life. We have failed the commandment to unionize with our neighbors and we are reaping the curses of it.

This d'var is a reflection for us, as the community of TBRS. Where are we lacking in creating a better world for those who cannot access the beauty of a supportive, gracious community—both inside and outside our shul? How can we begin to repair the world?