How does one ensure the secure future of a community?  That is the serious question confronting Moses as we arrive at the last four parshiyot (weekly Torah readings) of the book of Deuteronomy.
On the one hand, Moses understands the basic premise which would provide a strong foundation: becoming familiar and observing the laws that the Torah prescribes.  Such a commitment would lead to a just society and a personal lifestyle well beyond individual gratification.  
In fact, Moses has spent the last forty years devoting himself to teaching the Israelites how to set up a just and righteous society.  But at this point what guarantee does he have that they will continue to commit themselves to this process?
Somehow, he has to convey just how serious this enterprise is in actuality.  You could say he has to spell out the consequences in a way that can actually touch people sufficiently to motivate them to redirect their lives.  He needs the time-honored approach of "carrot" and a "stick".
Ki Tavo begins with the mitzvah of bikkurim: the commandment to bring the first fruits of the harvest to the Temple.  Besides bringing the offering, the farmer would make a formal declaration.  The precise wording of this is actually found in our Torah portion.  It turns out to be the familiar passage that is cited in the Pesach Haggadah, "My father was a wandering Aramean..." or "An Aramean (Laban) would have destroyed my father..."  The point of the declaration is to express a sense of deep appreciation to God for taking the Jewish People from very humble beginnings, through the period of slavery in Egypt to become a great nation and taking possession of the Land of Canaan to become the Land of Israel.
Bringing the first or choicest fruits to the Temple was a tangible way to express the idea that none of this could have happened without God's aid and continued support.  This could motivate people to live every aspect of their lives with such a consciousness.
Two other examples of such attempts at "sensitization" in this parsha are the ceremony to be performed on Mt. Ebal and Mt.Gerizim once the Israelites enter the Land of Canaan.  In the course of this ceremony, the entire community formally enters a covenant with God to stand by a number of specific conditions which may be considered foundations of a secure community.  The entire community is made to understand that the individual will accrue all kinds of blessings if they uphold this covenant.  However, if any individual were to deviate from any one of these conditions they would bring a curse on themselves.  Clearly an example of "Carrot" and "Stick!"
The greatest example of this approach in this portion is the blessing and curse which Moses pronounces.  Essentially the people will be blessed with health, success and prosperity if they fulfill the demands of the Torah and will suffer all kinds of terrible consequences if they choose to abandon the commandments.  The words of the "curse" go on for a good number of verses. They include various kinds of agricultural and national disasters, and culminate with the destruction of the land by outside enemies and exile.
Make no mistake about it, this isn't a pretty picture.  Yet, we can understand it better if we realize that Moses has no desire to see the words of the curse come to fruition.  He is simply determined to try to reach out to the Jewish People through the generations: to convince them of the tragedy that awaits their society if they choose to abandon God, the Torah and the Commandments.
One need only study Jewish History to determine how effective Moses was.  It certainly appears to be a case in point that one generation seems to be incapable of learning the lessons of previous generations.  As we approach our season of soul-searching, the words in our parsha challenge us not to take our blessings for granted.  The question that plagued Moses remains even in our own generation: To what extent are we willing to commit ourselves to practice the laws found in the Torah, serving God with our heart, soul and might, or are do we look at such a task as beneath our sense of sophistication and consequently not worth our serious consideration?  Is there a chance that Israelites in every generation were faced with the same or similar challenges?

I do hope you will consider attending this year's Tri-Synagogue Selichot Observance which will be held at Bnai Amoona Congregation in Creve Coeur.  Details can be found on our BSKI Website.  Besides the moving service there will be a presentation by Rabbi Michael Comins who recently wrote a book in which he interviewed a number of leaders in the Jewish Community to find out what insights they might have about praying.  Rabbi Comins will share some of the insights he has gained and lead an exercise for anyone who would like to try and compose their own personal prayer.  You can find a lead article on Rabbi Comins in this week's Jewish Light.
The program is scheduled for September 4th, a week from this Saturday at the close of Shabbat, starting about 8:30 p.m.  The evening is expected to conclude by 11:20 p.m.

JOLTis our community's program designed for High School students to give them stimulating opportunities for additional Jewish learning.  If you know of someone in High School who might benefit from the program, please click on this link http://cajestl.org/ and share the information with them.

May this Shabbat bring you regained strength and the opportunity to reflect on the opportunity your life provides you to bring God's Presence into the World.

Shabbat Shalom u'vrachah!

Rabbi Mordecai Miller

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