Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In
Torah Portion:
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
Deuteronomy 27:11–28:6
27:11 Moses commanded the people the same day, saying, 12 “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 With a loud voice, the Levites shall say to all the men of Israel, 15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to Hashem, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’
All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’
16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
17 ‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
18 ‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
20 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
21 ‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
22 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
23 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
24 ‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
25 ‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
26 ‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.’
All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”
28:1 It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to observe to do all His commandments which I command you today, that Hashem your Elohim will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice. 3 You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field. 4 You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your animals, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock. 5 Your basket and your kneading trough shall be blessed. 6 You shall be blessed when you come in, and you shall be blessed when you go out.
Today’s Meditation:
Here are some commandments from Hashem. And following them comes a very special blessing in 28:2: “All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice.” Isn’t that so amazing? That not only will you be blessed, but the blessings will also overtake you. That’s a lot of blessings. Have you ever been overtaken by anything? This is being taken by something really good: Hashem’s blessings.
Today’s Challenge:
Verse 27:26 tells us what happens if we do not follow Hashem’s commandments: “Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.” Simply said, if you don’t do what He has told us to do, you will be cursed. Do we really understand the weight of these words? Do we really understand what being cursed means? Continuing on in Chapter 28, we will see. The results of the curse are explained. My point is this: do we really want to be cursed? Or even this: do we believe that we will? I guess if you don’t believe in the one true Elohim, then you don’t think that you can be cursed. I live in a country that, for the most part, is ruled by godless people. People who do not believe or honor Hashem in any way, shape, or form. And because of this, our country is a total mess.
My challenge to you today is to consider what actions you can take about this. How can you help your country, government, and people return to Hashem? We could try to be a light to His truth. And pray that the people in your country will return their hearts to Hashem, that they will start following and obeying Him. Then pray that He will return to us. Be a part of changing hearts by being a light to His truth. See how following the Torah blesses you.
