Ki Tavo. “When you come…”. These opening words from this week’s Parsha coincide with our “coming” into the High Holy Days.
Ki Tavo. “When you come…”. These opening words from this week’s Parsha coincide with our “coming” into the High Holy Days. In the biblical narrative, each Israelite is instructed to come to the priest to make an offering, but, more significantly, to recount his/her journey, to recount their ancestry and history from slavery to freedom.
During these days of Elul we are called to do the same. I find myself remembering Mishpacha, my family and friends. It’s especially hard because of the losses over the years. Last night I spoke with my dear cousin’s wife. He died this past year. The call was helpful to us both.
The Parsha was also so clear about the practice of providing for those in need, this time of year especially. It’s an ancient tradition to tithe and to give tzedakah this time a year. Now that I have to do RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) from my pension fund, I find it meaningful to make some of these distributions now.
Also, in the Parsha are teachings about setting up altars for offerings of gratitude. It’s easy now a days to feel stressed about all the challenges we are facing personally and in our society. The Torah is clear. Expressions of gratitude are helpful, maybe even an antidote. Also, doing Mitzvot brings us purposefulness and joy.
This year we will again celebrate the Yom Tovim both in person and virtually. The services are open to the public, those near and far. Folks do need to register. See the information from Kehila below.
From Rav Kook: “Teshuvah (penitence, change, returning to Source) holds a primary place in the teachings of Torah and in life; all the hopes of the individual and of society depend on it.”
May we all be worthy of the Crown of Teshuvah.
L’shanah Tovah,
Reb David