Ki Tavo
How can we bring ourselves closer?
Reflection by Rabbah Dr. Mira Neshama Weil
“In this month of teshuva (return), Parashat Ki Tavo reminds us of the importance of connection.
The parasha opens on the instruction, ‘when we go1 (ki tavo) to the promised land, to bring ‘of the first fruit of the ground’ as an offering, connecting to the Divine in gratitude.
As humans, we need connection perhaps as much as we need sleep, water and food.
Connection means mutuality, and is at the heart of any relationship;
This is how the Meor Einayim opens his drasha on parashat Ki Tavo. Focusing on the symmetrical structure of two verses in the parsha (Devarim 26:17-18), he comments on the mutual choice of Israel and God, to be in a relationship.
אֶת־יְהֹוָ֥ה הֶֽאֱמַ֖רְתָּ הַיּ֑וֹם
`You have selected Hashem this day`
And
וַֽיהֹוָ֞ה הֶֽאֱמִֽירְךָ֣ הַיּ֗וֹם
`And Hashem has selected you this day`
What does it take, to nurture our relationship with the source of Life?
For the Hasidic Master, the answer lies in a central Hasidic principle, hitkarvut (bringing oneself closer).
`And all this, when you really (in truth) bring yourselves close`
וכל זה כשמקרבין את עצמם באמת
Hitkarvut, coming closer in connection to the Source of Life, is an everyday job.
And it becomes even more meaningful in the month of Elul, where Hasidism tell us that `the King is in the Field,` walking towards us, too.
Coming closer to the Divine can be sophisticated and sublime, or it can be quite ordinary.
It is something that mindfulness and gratefulness practices in everyday life help us do.
We can connect by meditating, praying, and singing psalms, as we do in Elul.
We can also connect by walking mindfully, by looking at nature, by drinking a glass of water mindfully, by taking a moment to tap into gratitude for our food, by connecting to someone and speaking kindly.
All of these are aspects of teshuva, the deep spiritual work we are invited to do in Elul.
How about you? How will you connect today?"