Climb every mountain: Parshat Ki Tavo

Abstract

n this week’s Torah reading, Ki Tavo, Moses gave the Israelites an unusual command. He told the people that after they crossed the Jordan River, they were to separate into two distinct groups; each group was charged with a different recitation. On one mountain, Har Gerizim, six tribes were to stand and bless the people: Simon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. On the other mountain, Har Eival, the remaining tribes – Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naftali – were to stand and articulate a set of curses. The Levites were then to respond to all the Israelites “in a loud voice (kol ram)” (Deut. 27:14). The text of these blessings and curses are listed in our sedra. When read in synagogue, the curses are chanted in a low voice.