Ki Tavo

Today’s Parasha “Ki Tavo,” is called this, because it means “When You Enter.” It is talking about Israel’s entry into the Land that would be called Israel.

As you know, we are almost at the end of our Torah Year.  Each year we experience this bitter sweet occasion, where Israel, “The People” finally reach and enter the Promised Land.

It is Sweet, because this is the End of this Story, and the Promise that God gave to this People, a Nation of Slaves, has been fulfilled.  Upon this premise, our Faith is built.  Our God is Awesome, and can do mighty things.

It is bitter, because the journey is over, and we have just relived the plight of Israel…  The loss of people, His Children, to Rebellion and Stubbornness.  And Let’s not forget the loss of Moshe, our Leader.  We experience bitterness because after all that He had struggled with, with Israel, to accomplish this goal, only to have made an error that would block his entry into The Land.

In similar pattern we are introduced to the Blessings and the Curses.  The Blessings, if we do well and obey Torah, and Curses should be rebel against His Word. 

What I found interesting, when studying these words,  is that the word for Blessing in Hebrew is Barach, spelled: בָּרַך.  It literally translates to ‘Warm and Fuzzy,’ or simply depicting “The Easy Life.”  “Bet – Resh – Chet” – The House and the Head are Separated.  I interpret this to mean that “The Worries of Provision are not an issue.”  Meaning, “All your needs are met without effort.”  This is the idea behind “Barach,” or “Blessing” in ancient Hebrew.

I also discovered that the words “Curse” and “Cursed” are similar in English, but have very different meanings within Hebrew thought.

The word for “Curse,” in Hebrew is קלל – but the word in these verses of the Parasha to mean “Cursed,” is אָרוּר

This is Kalel and Arar.  In Hebrew, these words are not even close, and therefore this tells me that even though they may be translated so easily into English, the Words themselves do not have the same meaning in Ancient Hebrew.

Kalel can be interpreted to “The decisions that are made by the back of the Head.”

What’s most interesting about this word, even though it translates to curse, the double Lamed, in its Hebrew spelling, indicate an indirect blessing.

Let me explain:

The Lamed, in Ancient Paleo Hebrew, depicts a staff, like a Sheppard's staff, one that guides us, or directs our path.  Ancient Hebrew is like hieroglyphic pictograms.  Therefore when we are looking at the ancient root of the word, and the Lamed is used, we know that "direction," is built into the word concept.

This means that within Hebrew thought, even the poor decisions, which negatively affect us (A curse), are a double lesson that guides us back to (T’Shuva) The Truth of His Gospel.  However, for the Curse to become a Blessing, we must do as the Torah tells us… “Repent” and Obey Torah, and your understanding will increase.

Disobey Torah, and the fullness of His Judgement will befall you.  It’s just that simple. 

Now the word in this Parasha for “Cursed” or “To be Cursed,” is Arar.  This word has nothing to do with the root word of kalel.  Nevertheless, they both mean “Cursed.”  Arar, in its Paleo Word Picture interprets to “The Head Leads.  The Head Leads.”

Meaning that one is led by their own understanding, and not of the LORD’s understanding.  The Head Leads, because it will not Shema the Word of God.  Therefore, our pursuits of self-righteousness, become dead ends – Curses to us.

If we obey, we will not have to worry about the things of this World.  They will be “Barach” to us – Warm and Fuzzy – Easy – A Blessing.  Just trust and obey.  He will take care of our needs.

May the LORD Bless you Greatly by the Knowledge and Understanding of His Word.