Curses vs Blessings 54 - 14
Torah Study led by Cantor Bandman
Deuteronomy 28: 1 - 14 vs. Deuteronomy 28: 15-69
Picture this: The Israelites all still standing at the mountain listening to hear their plight and trying to understand what is being told to them. Remember they are still looking at those two mountains (one lush and one barren) representing where the blessed and the cursed will go. Now Moses has turned over the stage to the Levite Priests for a bit and they are chanting so it might be a bit more entertaining or memorable. But what they are chanting is very disturbing.
They started with a positive picture of all these wonderful blessings that will be theirs in the new land where they will live, about 14 verses of painting a very nice picture. But then they start a list of 54 verses of curses that could destroy them if they don't follow the rules. Some rabbis count 98 curses in this parashat. And these curses are a virtual horror story reminding them of things they have heard of or seen in the past but worse. They state that death, disease, destruction, cannibalism, servitude, outliving one's children, pestilence, and untold suffering will all surely descend upon us if we do not listen to God and obey the mitzvot.
This was the topic. Cantor Bandman posed the question to explore why there were so many more curses than blessings and that turned to an exploration of these awful curses from both a literal and a literary vantage point. Were they exaggerating to make a point? Were all these negative threats a real forecast into the future or were they a reflection on what had already happened within the collective memory of those who were there? Was this all about relationships of the individual within the community?
These curses strike everyone in some way or another as the very worst things that could happen. One comment held true: "we must recognize that all these curses described are very wrong. When we encounter these things it should be a warning for us to do something about it." Another comment focused on the need to maintain a balance that leans toward the blessings.
Then Cantor Bandman pointed out that many of the same topics of the curses were mentioned in Deuteronomy 20:5 when they were addressing the rules for going into battle. Certainly something to ponder and possible discuss next week.
I found that typically, reform web discussions of Ki Tavo would focus on different parts of the parasha from these curses. It makes a very uncomfortable impression.
Two commentaries on this topic from the reform perspective.
Very interesting site and analysis
Deuteronomy 28: 1 - 14 vs. Deuteronomy 28: 15-69
Picture this: The Israelites all still standing at the mountain listening to hear their plight and trying to understand what is being told to them. Remember they are still looking at those two mountains (one lush and one barren) representing where the blessed and the cursed will go. Now Moses has turned over the stage to the Levite Priests for a bit and they are chanting so it might be a bit more entertaining or memorable. But what they are chanting is very disturbing.
They started with a positive picture of all these wonderful blessings that will be theirs in the new land where they will live, about 14 verses of painting a very nice picture. But then they start a list of 54 verses of curses that could destroy them if they don't follow the rules. Some rabbis count 98 curses in this parashat. And these curses are a virtual horror story reminding them of things they have heard of or seen in the past but worse. They state that death, disease, destruction, cannibalism, servitude, outliving one's children, pestilence, and untold suffering will all surely descend upon us if we do not listen to God and obey the mitzvot.
This was the topic. Cantor Bandman posed the question to explore why there were so many more curses than blessings and that turned to an exploration of these awful curses from both a literal and a literary vantage point. Were they exaggerating to make a point? Were all these negative threats a real forecast into the future or were they a reflection on what had already happened within the collective memory of those who were there? Was this all about relationships of the individual within the community?
These curses strike everyone in some way or another as the very worst things that could happen. One comment held true: "we must recognize that all these curses described are very wrong. When we encounter these things it should be a warning for us to do something about it." Another comment focused on the need to maintain a balance that leans toward the blessings.
Then Cantor Bandman pointed out that many of the same topics of the curses were mentioned in Deuteronomy 20:5 when they were addressing the rules for going into battle. Certainly something to ponder and possible discuss next week.
I found that typically, reform web discussions of Ki Tavo would focus on different parts of the parasha from these curses. It makes a very uncomfortable impression.
Two commentaries on this topic from the reform perspective.
Very interesting site and analysis
posted by Chavarah @ 6:55 AM
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