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Forty Years Later Moshe called all of the Jews and reminded them of everything they witnessed that G-d did in Egypt to Pharaoh, his servants and all of his land, ie. the great trials, signs and wonders. However, continues Moshe, until that day, G-d did not give them a “heart to know”, “eyes to see”Continue reading “Ki Tavo, 7th Aliyah”

Blessings and Curses Blessings Moshe tells the Israelites that G-d will cause their enemies who rise up against them to be beaten. These enemies will come to attack them from one direction but as is typical for those who flee from fear, will scatter in all directions. G-d will bless them in the land ofContinue reading “Ki Tavo, 6th Aliya”

Blessings and Curses Before Moshe passed away, he blessed eleven of the tribes and each of these blessings had a related curse attached to it, as if an admonishment to them. As if to say, if they do the will of G-d, they will be blessed, and if not, they shall be cursed. Shimon wasContinue reading “Ki Tavo, 5th Aliya”

Stones from the Jordan River Moshe and the elders command the nation to keep all of G-d’s commandments always. Moshe now instructs them that when they come to cross the Jordan into Israel, they must take 12 huge stones out from the Jordan river and plaster them with lime and write upon them the wordsContinue reading “Ki Tavo, 4th Aliya”

The Nation of Israel and G-d’s Relationship Moshe instructs the nation that G-d’s commandments should not be observed by rote. Rather, they are to see them anew every day, as if they were given to them on that day. G-d blesses them through a heavenly voice that just as they are observing the commandments now,Continue reading “Ki Tavo, 3rd Aliya”

The Year of the Tithes The eve of Passover during the fourth year of the seven year Sabbatical (Shemitta) cycle is the time to remove all tithes that one has finished tithing in the third year from the house accompanied by a confession regarding properly disposing of them. During the first and second years ofContinue reading “Ki Tavo, 2nd Aliya”

First Fruits The chumash teaches us here that the commandment regarding “bringing the first fruits” (i.e bikurim) only applied once they both conquered the Land of Israel and divided it. The obligation of bikurim only applies to fruits of the “seven species” for which the land of Israel is known for, namely: wheat, barely, vines,Continue reading “Ki Tavo, 1st Aliya”

Pay Workers on Time. Some Laws Relating to Judgements. Some Laws Relating to Harvesting. Lashes. Muzzling Animals. Levirite Marriage. Fines for Embarrassing Someone. Honesty in Commerce. Remember Amalek. Pay Workers on Time. Moshe teaches that we are not to withhold the wages of a Jewish hired worker who is poor or destitute (even a JewishContinue reading “Ki Teitzei, 7th Aliya”

First Year of Marriage. Collateral. Kidnappers. Tzara’as. First Year of Marriage Throughout the first year of a couple’s marriage*, the husband is not to go out to the army, nor have anything to do with it. The army is to make no demands of him. For example, he may not supply them with water andContinue reading “Ki Tetzei, 6th Aliya”

Field Workers. Immoral Wives. Field Workers Moshe now teaches them that during the time of the grape harvest, someone who is working in a vineyard is permitted to eat as many grapes as they’d like (so long as it’s not excessive) on their bosses’ property, however they are not allowed to put any into theirContinue reading “Ki Tetzei, 5th Aliya”