Lara Fosbery – Year 11

Ki Tavo 

This week’s parashah, Ki Tavo, begins with Moses instructing the Israelites to offer a portion of the first fruit picked every year to God. The Israelites must take the fruit to the Temple and give it to the priest, who will offer it to God and there will a statement recognising God’s role in the creation of the people by freeing them from slavery in Egypt. It goes on to detail the mutualistic relationship that the Jews are instructed to maintain with God. If they consistently bring the first fruits of the season to the Temple, follow the commandments, upholding their commitment to God, then they will be blessed. They can expect success in battles, in agriculture and in business. But if they don’t, they will experience curses, loss and suffering.

But since few of us grow fruit trees anymore, why does this matter and how does it apply? Though the exact details might not be relevant to many of us, I think the concept at the core of the parashah – making sure your relationships are equally beneficial to all involved – is an important part of life. We engage with so many people on a day-to-day basis that it can be difficult to determine if we’re putting into each interaction exactly what we’re getting out. But if we sat down and really thought about all the relationships we have, and exactly what we give and receive, would we be proud? Frustrated? Embarrassed?

And if we turn to the other aspect of our parashah, the notion that if we don’t follow through on our commitments, we’ll be cursed. What does that tell us about the dire circumstances which we confront in our world? If curses come from a failure to ‘hold up our end of the bargain’, so to speak, what was the bargain, and what were our failures?

With Rosh HaShanah coming up in a few weeks, and Yom Kippur following soon after, the time that Judaism designates for introspection is fast approaching. So, I encourage us to think about what we give to each of our relationships, and what we expect from people in return. What we give to our parents or children, siblings or grandparents, teachers or students. To consider the role we play in the community and in our world, and whether we give enough. Are we playing our roles in the individual relationships in our lives and are we treating others around us with the same kindness and respect with which we expect to be treated? Are we civic-minded and do we care for our community in the same way it cares for us? Alternatively, it’s important to consider whether the relationships in our lives are as beneficial to us as they are to others.

All in all, though I don’t really believe in blessings or curses, I think it’s important to evaluate the roles we play in the lives of others and vice versa, and whether these relationships are mutually beneficial, and if not, how we can remedy this. And in this difficult and confusing time, to consider how we can bring good to everyone’s lives – using the proverbial fruit we grow to improve the lives of those around us.