From the Rabbi

  When we read Parshat Ki Tavo on Shabbat, you know that Rosh Hashana-Yom Kippur are around the corner. It is so interesting that Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur which are such awesome serious Holidays, are immediately followed by Sukkot, called "Heh-Chag. The Festival," in the Torah. This essentially means that Sukkot, not Pesach, was the most important of the Chageem in ancient times. How could that be? Passover celebrates our freedom from slavery and the beginning of our becoming a nation. It is because Sukkot is the Fall festival, which both celebrates and recognizes the importance of food and the harvest. The dark cold winter follows Sukkot and we look forward the the Spring and warmth of Pesach.

  We see a similar juxtiposition in this weeks Parsha which immediately follows another Torah portion with the wod "Ki" in it. Ki Teytzey last weeks Parsha, was jam packed with 72 Mitzvot or commandments. Many dealing with human interpersonal relationships and how we even treat animals. "Ki Tavo," thyis weeks portion begins with a beautiful ceremony that was to occur on the middle festival Shavuot. A representative from each family wasd to journey to the Sanctuary or Temple and bring a basket with their first fruits called "Beekureem" like the word "Bechor" or first born. Thet were to dwclare a formula which connects us all to Avraham Avinu, our great father Abraham. He and Sarah's mission was to teach the planet about Hashem and Sharing and Loving your neighbor. It introduces the concept of "Hakarat Hah-Tov, to see the good." We are literally commanded to appreciate the good things we have in life. 

  Here's the kicker. A column later, are the "Tocheychah." known as the warnings or even the Curses. They are pages of the nastiest things that can happen to us as a nation and a people. "Oy Vey!!!" they have almost all come true. With October 7th approaching quickly, a whole year has passed with nothing changing and a nation suffering. Every Jew around the world is feeling depressed and sad about not just the war but the rampant Anti-Semitism we are all feeling. I believe the Torah's message here is that no matter how awful it gets, we must see the good, the "Tov" in our lives. We have buried several Holocaust survivors this year in their 90's Baruch Hashem. They all could see the good in the world despite the hororrs they endured may we never know again.

    Isiah the amazing visionary prophet of comfort for the destruction of the 1st Temple cries out in this weeks Haftarah, "Koo-mee Oree-Arise and see the light, for Gods Kavod or Heaviness is about to shine." What stirring words of hope in a dark time in our history. This may be a dark time but we have the power to endure and yes, to Shine.

Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Marty