Ki Tavo 5783 ~ Sept. 1, 2023

Curses and blessings seem to be at the forefront of our Torah reading for this Shabbat. In many ways, the reading for this week seems quite uncomfortable, not only to the casual reader, but to the one who truly focuses on Torah study.

The rabbis understood and they recommend that the reader intone the curses in almost a whisper.  As our Etz Hayim commentary points out, “The 11 specific sins mentioned here (the 12^th sin is all-inclusive) often escape detection because, as Ibn Ezra and Rashbam note, commonly they are committed in secret or it is difficult for their victims to publicize them.”

Some of the issues at hand in these curses are ones that, in our world of today, seem apt to happen not only in private, but in public.  For example, the unwanted kiss on the lips as occurred in the world of soccer this past week. What seems most inappropriate is that the kiss was originally cheered by the rest of the male Spanish Soccer Federation. Thankfully, as the rest of the world began to show its disdain, many of those who cheered backed away from tolerating or condoning the action. As we read at the end of the curse for sexual impropriety in our reading, “amen” to the leaders of the soccer world (FIFA) for suspending the president of the Spanish Soccer Federation. And while the sexual impropriety that happens in secret is what is cursed in our Torah reading, neither public nor secretive sexual advances of such nature is acceptable.  We have seen this in so many different venues from that of the sports doctor of the US Gymnastic Association to that of clergy in all denominations. And while the cost of lawsuit awards and settlements may seem exorbitant, today we understand that the victims are emotionally scarred for life and no money in the world can make amends and bring them to wholeness. Yet knowing that such individuals are being singled out, and in most instances sent to prison, hopefully gives the victims some of the “amen” they are due.

While the above-mentioned curse is but one example, if one were to take a closer look at some of the other curses, one can only imagine to how rampant the other sins are committed in our society. A study of adult children found that twenty-six percent have parted ways (even if temporarily) with their parents, more with fathers than mothers. (US News & World Reports) The Torah states “cursed be he who insults his father or his mother.” Yet, while throughout the ages children have not always accepted or agreed with their parents way of living or thinking, something seems to be amiss today if that study of adult children is correct. At the same time, if one were to take the time to read the advice columns in the newspapers, one might realize that one cannot simply blame the adult child and curse them. At times, parents are at fault for their action, or inaction, that has caused the curse to be intoned.

And how often have you received letters from an attorney’s office notifying you that you are a part of a class action suit for secretive collusion between companies that caused you to pay more for something, or perhaps misdoings by companies that we might not have even been aware of. We laugh when the check comes in and we find ourselves getting one to ten dollars in the settlement, but is that really the only point of the notification? Or is it the “amen” of letting us know about how this company, and perhaps others, that have taken the consumer for granted and that we need to be more cautious of such companies and how they treat us? The Torah states, “Cursed be he who misdirects a blind person on his way,” or “moves his fellow countryman’s landmark,” or “who subverts the rights of the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.”

As we read through both the curses and blessings of this week’s Torah reading, it is quite clear to us that most of the improprieties mentioned are ones that take thought to carry out and are calculated ones. More often than not, it is not a mistaken action but a conscious one. Thankfully, and hopefully, most of us do not find ourselves wanting to be involved in such actions that invoke such curses and amens.

As we are now approaching the High Holy Day season, the question of curses and blessings comes to the forefront.  We all hope that our good qualities and deeds outweigh our faults and misdeeds. Yet, none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes whether intentional or not, whether done knowingly and in public, or secretively in private. And while we may want to focus on the blessings of life and offer an amen to their happening in our lives, this season also provides us with the amens of making amends - trying to not only repair our relationships with others, but with ourselves and with the Master of All Things.

May we find more of the amens of blessings in our lives during the year to come. Yet, in the event that we need to hear the amens of curses, may they be intoned in a whisper that will hopefully make us stronger as good and moral people in the year to come.