In our Torah portion “Ki Tavo” we read about the covenant that God made with the Jewish people. This covenant is clearly articulated here, illustrating the obligations of both parties and the consequences of a breach of contract. And after millennia in exile, we can recognize today that these consequences have come to pass.
Imagine the following scene: The people of Israel are camped on the eastern side of the Jordan River, approximately two million people ready to enter the Promised Land. Moses will not be coming along, but will be buried outside of Israel at an unknown location. However, before his death, he prepares the people for life in Israel, as it will be very different from what they experienced during the last 40 years in the desert.
The covenant
In our weekly portion, Moses speaks about the covenant between God and the Jewish people, making it clear that this covenant is based on a contract, the kind familiar to everyone from their personal life. Here are the relevant verses:
“You have declared today that the Lord is...
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