Kol Ramah

Parsha Talk; with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler. Parashat Ki Tavo [Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8] features 3 of the passages mentioned in the first 2 mishnayot of Tractate Sotah Chapter 7. There the rabbis list passages which may be recited in any language, since understanding is of utmost importance, and those which must be recited in Hebrew, because the ritual performance is paramount. The vidui ma’aser [confession over the tithe (Deut. 26: 12-15] may be recited in any language, whereas miqra biqqurim [the declaration over first fruits (Deut. 26:1-11)] and the b’rakhot u-q’lalot [blessings and curses (Deut. 27:11-26)], must be recited in Hebrew, the holy language. Chapter 28, by far the largest section of the parashah, contains the tohekhah [the rebuke, a lengthy list of curses which will afflict the Israelites for failure to keep God’s commandments]. Following longstanding rabbinic precedent, we mention a phrase from the haftarah so as not to end on a down note. Criticisms, comme