Parshat Ki Tavo
Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer

Parshas Ki Savo begins with the mitzvos of Mikrah Bikkurim and Vidui Ma'aser. Mikrah Bikkurim consists of a declaration of God's kindness throughout the history of our people, narrating how Hashem saved us from Lavan, redeemed us from Mitzrayim and brought us to Eretz Yisroel. We express our gratitude for God's salvation, and - by bringing first fruits - we display that we have properly utilized the gifts of the land for Hashem's service. The text of Viduy Ma'aser attests that the individual has properly separated all required forms of Terumah and Ma'aser and has handled the produce exactly as required by the Torah.

The balance of the parshah is comprised of pacts and warnings to observe the Torah, including the erection of tablets with the mitzvos inscribed on them on the west bank of the Yarden, Brachos and Klallos which were proclaimed and assented to at Har Gerizim and Har Eval, followed by the lengthy Tochachah at Arvos Moav. Why do Mikrah Bikkurim and Vidui Ma'aser appear at the commencement of the parshah, for they are unrelated to the rest of its themes?

The answer to this question lies in the nature of the Tochachah at Arvos Moav. Unlike the Tochachah at Sinai (in Parshas B'chukosai), that of Arvos Moav (in Ki Savo) has no pattern and no clear end. Whereas the reproof at Sinai is a list of punishments for violating the Dvar Hashem, that of Arvos Moav forms the very base of our unique relationship with God, and breach of the covenant detailed in the Tochachah are grounds for redefining that relationship. This is why the Tochachah lacks a pattern and a comforting conclusion (as are found in the reproof of B'chukosai), for violation severely affects our very bond with Hashem. This is also why the Tochachah of our parshah seems endless, as it implies that our unique relationship has been impacted on a long-term basis (until restored in eschatological times).

This explains why the siman of Parshas Ki Savo is "Avadim", for the parshah's themes are those of entering into covenants with God to be his servants. This differs from Parshas B'chukosai, in which reward and punishment - rather than our relationship with Hashem - are up for discussion.

We can now understand why Mikrah Bikkurim and Vidui Ma'aser form the introduction to Ki Savo. These mitzvos enable the Jew to attest that he has fulfilled his mission most dutifully and has used that which Hashem gave him precisely as commanded. In Mikrah Bikkurim, the Jew thanks God for entering into a relationship with him and the entire nation, and Vidui Ma'aser proclaims that the stipulations of a major aspect of our relationship have been fulfilled. Both mitzvos complement each other in teaching us how to approach Hashem's service so as to fulfill His covenant with Bnei Yisroel, and that is why they serve as an introduction to the pacts and the grand bris at Arvos Moav.

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