In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Ki Tavo, Moshe gives instructions to the Jews about what they should do when they enter the Land of Israel. He tells them that they should settle the land and cultivate it. Once their crops bear fruit, they are told that the must bring the first-ripened fruits (bikkurim) of their orchards to the Holy Temple, and declare their gratitude to G-d. The parsha also includes the laws of the tithes given to the Levites and to the poor, in which sections of the crops were set aside for others. While this mitzvah applies to all produce, the mitzvah of bikkurim applies only to the seven special species of Israel, wheat, barley, dates, figs, grapes, pomegranates and olives.
When entering Israel, the Jews are instructed to gather large stones as they cross the Jordan River for the purpose of engraving the Torah upon them. Another set of stones was also to be inscribed with the entire Torah, and placed on Har (Mount) Eval. Moshe gives the instructions of how the blessings and curses will be recited on Har Grizzim and Har Eval after they enter Israel. We are once again reminded that if we keep the commandments in the Torah, the blessings are ours to receive.
This week’s parsha lends itself nicely to lots of fruit-themed treats. Fruit gems, fruit shaped candies and even real fruit are all great options. Since the bikkurim could only be brought for the first fruit grown of the seven special species, I also included Pomegranate candies for my family this week. Finally, candy rocks remind us of the rocks collected from the Jordan River. They even might look like little mountains, from which the blessings and the curses were recited.
Shabbat Shalom!
Shayna Levine-Hefetz
