Rachel Kapen
Commemorating the40th Yahrtzeit of her father, Yosef Garber and the 90 Years anniversary of his Aliyah
Following Parashat Ki Tetze of the previous week, parashat Ki Tavo meaning: As you come (to the land), is also in the singular underscoring the fact that the words are directed to each and every one of the people personally.
In its first part, the parasha recounts the mitzvah of Bikkurim- first fruits which are to be gathered and presented to the kohen in the Beit HaMikdash. However, these aren't supposed to be the first of any fruits, only the ones among the Shivat HaMinim, the Seven Species which typifies the best fruits of Eretz Israel, namely: wheat, barley, vines, figs, pomegranates, olives, and date-honey.
In the Mishnah there is a beautiful description of the Bikkurim Procession heading for Jerusalem;
'They, that were near to Jerusalem, brought fresh figs and grapes, and they, that were far off Jerusalem, brought dried figs and raisins. Before them went an ox, having his horns overlaid with gold and a wreath of olive leaves on its head. The flute was played before them until they drew near to Yerushalayim. when they drew near to Yerushalayim, they sent messengers before them and bedecked their baskets with their first fruits...
Another quite important topic Ki Tavo covers is the one of Ma'aser or Tithe, the apportioning of one tenth of the yield to the Levi'im. There were a few types of the Ma'aser: Ma'aser Rishon, the first ma'aser,was used for the maintenance of the Leviim, the Levites, who did not receive their own plots of land like the rest of Bnai Israel did, Ma'aser Sheni, the Second Ma'aser, had to be taken to Jerusalem by the owner and consumed there by him and his family, or redeem it and use the proceeds there. However, in the third and sixth year of the Shmitah- the seventh year when the land is prohibited from being worked on, this ma'aser was fully dedicated to the poor, the orphan, and the widow. it was appropriately also called: Ma'aser Oni (with an ayin not aleph)., the Ma'aser of the Poor.
Yet, despite the fact that the Levi was taken care by the community as a whole, he too had his own responsibilities towards the others. So, from his own ma'aser he had to give a ma'aser to the kohen. share and share alike.
Judaism always made sure that the poor and the most vulnerable members of society are well taken care of so it enacted special laws to make sure this is done. In later years of our Jewish history it gave birth to special local institutions of the different Jewish communities to help the poor marginalized such as we still have today in America.
Yet, Parashat ki tavo is mostly known for the wonderful blessings and conversely, most awful curses- which traditionally read in a whisper- conditioned on the people's behavior.
Shabbat shalom.
ATTENTION FAMILIES: 
