Parashat Ki Tavo
My dear friend and future rabbi Marisa James tells the story of the time that she leyned „Ki Tova“ at the Masorti Community of Moreshet Israel in Jerusalem. The problem with leyning Ki Tavo is that when the long list of curses is read, 54 verses in all, it is done quickly and quietly, so as not to linger on the curses. In order to read rapidly, Marisa had prepared for weeks, the horror of the curses balanced by her beautiful voice and the stunning Moroccan chant she uses. Yet despite all the preparation, she very uncharacteristically struggled with actual reading in shul and in frustration afterwards apologized to the rabbi, Adam Frank, saying that she was sorry and really had prepared. In a moment of deep wisdom he replied, “It is really ok. Curses should never come easily to our lips.” I love this story, as it brings needed insight into one of the more problematic passages in Torah. For starters, there is this strange image in Chapter 27 of Deuteronomy of the tribes of Is