Devarim

Ki Tavo - Family Discussion

Ki Tavo means “when you enter”.  Where are the people getting ready to enter?  (the Land of Canaan).  Remember Moshe is not allowed to enter the land but wants everyone to know what to do when they get there.  Only Moshe hears the voice of Hashem who tells Moshe what He wants the people to remember.

Moshe tells the people to offer the first fruits picked in the Promised Land as a gift offering.  Those first fruits are the most special.  Then Moshe talks about all that has happened since they left Egypt.  He particularly wants everyone to remember what will happen if they don’t do good deeds and follow the rules.  Then he gathers the 12 tribes together and divides them into 2 groups.  One group of 6 tribes goes to the top of Mount Grizim and the other group goes to the top of Mount Eval. The group on Mt. Grizim will listen for the blessings, or the good deeds and when they hear them, they say “Amen.”  The group on Mt. Eval listened for the curses, or things they could be punished for; then they say “Amen”.

Family Discussion Questions:

1. The parsha talks about the importance of the first fruits.  What are some important “firsts” in your life?  (first teeth, first day of school, the first word they spoke etc.)
2. What are some “firsts” in the Torah?  (first day of creation, first Jew-Avraham, first people-Adam & Chava, first Commandment-“I am the L-rd your G-d.)
3. Name some things that you do that you get praised for, such as, if you clean your room you can watch TV. And name something that you might get punished for.