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KI TAVO “When you enter”
17 SEP 2011
Deut 26:1-29:8
Isaiah 60:1-22
Acts 7:30-36
This portion is the conclusion of the code given through
Moses.
Regarding Tithes
26:1-11: First Fruits and the acknowledgement of divine
providence
26:12-15: Triennial distribution of tithes and prayer
There were three tithes:
1. Tithes given for care of the Levites Num 18:21-32
2. Tithes taken by a land owner to Jerusalem, where he
and his family members eat JOYFULLY or redeem for money (Deut 14:22-26).
Also, they share with the poor and dependent classes, such as widows,
orphans. This tithe was later known by the name, “the tithe of the poor”
3. Tithes were also known as, “the year of removal,”
where all tithes were to be removed out of his possessions with solemn
declarations and prayer for divine blessing for Israel.
Covenant:
26:16-19: Formulation of the covenant between GOD and
Israel. Israel pledges to be obedient to GOD and His precepts (Torah)
JOYFULLY, and He will declare Himself to be their GOD.
Moses’ third discourse:
Chapter 27
27:9-10: Obedient to His Covenant, or fulfilling
obligations to GOD and His commandments. Be obedient to GOD.
27:11-14 solemn blessings and doom: This was declared in
an elaborate ceremony in which the Levites stood with the ark in the
valley, and the Israelites stood on both mountains (Ebal and Gerizim).
Those on one side yelled out the blessings of G-d, the other side yelled
out the curses. This procedure was repeated over and over until all the
blessings and curses of the L-rd were repeated.
27:15-26 Declaration of Curses (Dooms)
Chapter 28
28:1-4 Declaration of Blessings
28:15-68 Warning set forth for disobedience to the Divine
Covenant which if followed would bring hope, encouragement, and joy
unspeakable. But failure to follow His covenant would bring disaster,
death and destruction.
Chapter 29
29:1-8 A review of Israel’s journey into freedom from
Egypt and how GOD protected them, provided for their needs and clothing.
At Mt. Sinai, the Children of Israel made a marriage
covenant with GOD. He gave them rules to live by and they agreed to
love and obey Him. He made promises to them and they made promises to
Him. In this portion, the “vows” are repeated.
One of the first duties was building an altar, or place
of worship. According to scholars, places of worship and study are to be
the first care of the community. Teaching the families and children, and
showing unity before GOD are the first priority.
BE CAREFUL TO OBSERVE ALL OF GOD’S COMMANDMENTS/COVENANT
AND HE WILL BLESS WITH AN ABUNDANT AND JOYOUS LIFE
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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