Published August 26, 2010
Ki Tavo - as the name of the Parsha suggests - implies a sense of anticipation. Something is going to change fundamentally when we step into Eretz Yisrael. We will no longer be dependent on the Manna from Heaven; we will toil the land with our bear hands and witness the first buds appearing on those sun-baked saplings.
When the fruits of our labors begin to take shape we are, of course, happy and fulfilled. When the produce mounts up and we are materially successful we enter the phase when, “Yeshurun waxed fat and kicked”... Unfortunately, we might then reach the state described in the Torah where we “become gross” and forsake G-d.
Not surprisingly, therefore, when the Torah confronts us with the Blessings and Curses, on Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval, respectively, we are asked to reaffirm our recognition of the Source of all this bounty. Although the two mountains are close to one another, Mount Gerizim upon which Bnei Yisrael was blessed was covered with green while, in contrast, Mount Eval was desolate and gray.
Surprisingly, it was on Mount Eval where Bnei Yisrael set up a stone monument with the words of the Torah inscribed upon them. Perhaps this was meant to be an eternal testament to remind us not to become too complacent and self-satisfied.
Shabbat Shalom, Menachem Persoff
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