Ki-Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8)

The portion is named,Ki-Tavo,literally "when you shall arrive", because it presents different
laws taught to the Israelites before they arrive in the Land of Canaan.

This week's portion begins with laws that concern the produce of the Land of Canaan: all first fruits must be given as offerings to God in the place of worship he shall choose. Some of the produce is to be given to the poor - the resident alien, the orphan and the widow. There are different ceremonies required when bringing these agricultural offerings, which include the recitation of texts - reminding the worshiper of the history of the people and asking for God's blessing.

The Israelites are then reminded of their covenant with God and commanded to keep his laws. When arriving in Canaan, the laws of the Torah are to be written on large stones and placed on Mount Ebal, where an altar is to be built for God. The tribes are to be divided between Mount Gerizim - where the blessing will be given - and Mount Ebal, where the curse will be given. The curses are given for all those who violate the covenant with God, and include specific prohibitions - some concerning idolatry, some concerning social issues, and some concerning incest.

A large part of the weekly portion contains all the blessings which will come upon Israel for keeping the covenant, and in even more detail, the curses that will come upon them for not keeping it. Punishments will encompass every aspect of life, and will result in the Israelites being sold as slaves again to the Egyptians. Moses ends this list of punishments with the strong recommendation that the Israelites keep the covenant.