Page 392 - DVARIM

dvarim
This parashah is called Ki Tavo. Many subjects in Chumash Devarim
begin with these words, yet only the subject of bikurim was chosen as the
opening mitzvah of this parashah. If this mitzvah is so central, why isn’t
the parashah called “parashat Bikurim”?
The parashah opens with the mitzvah of bikurim and closes with the
curses. Entering and settling the Land are in the merit of the Torah. The
alternative is curse. The parashah is called Ki Tavo (When You Come),
to teach that coming to the Land and settling there is dependent on Torah
and mitzvah observance.
Bnei Yisrael were liable to become proud of the produce, the fruit of their
labor. Therefore, the Torah commanded them to bring bikurim,in order
to remind them that everything comes from Hashem.
“It will be when you enter the Land that
Hashem, your G-d, gives you as an inheritance,
and you take possession of it, and dwell in it”
(Devarim 26:1)
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The mitzvah of bikurim demonstrates how to serve Hashem with one’s
possessions. This mitzvah teaches us just how much Hashem longs for
our service of Him every moment of our lives, even when we work
the fields.
Parashat Ki Teitzei alludes to man’s inner battle with his number one
enemy, his very own Yetzer Hara. If he fails to eradicate him completely,
he will grow to mammoth proportions, eventually overcoming him.
The phrase contain the letters and , which add up numerically
to the word (holy). The only way to become holy and sanctified is
by fighting with all of one’s might against the Yetzer Hara, never
forgetting about him. This will merit Hashem’s help in surmounting him.
The basic foundation of our service of Hashem and our prayer to Him is
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submission toward Him. The Kotel is built of whole stones which were
never cut with a metal instrument. This indicates the trait of humility. In
contrast, the Arabs show off their gold, especially the Dome of the
Mosque. Their pride pushes them to sin, even after confessing their
iniquities in their place of worship.
David wore his crown in a manner that it hovered above his head, never
touching it. This indicated that he never allowed his wealth to “rub off”
on him.
Hashem granted man the gift of forgetfulness so that he does not become
preoccupied with the day of death. This enables him to serve Hashem with
joy. But he should not forget his day of death in order to allow himself to
do aveirot.
The Torah is the joy of our lives and our haven of refuge, as the Chafetz
Chaim eloquently describes. It also protects a person from the plots of
the Yetzer Hara. Therefore, one must prepare for the Day of Judgment,
and not come, chalilah, empty of mitzvot, dumbstruck, as it were. The
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