Rabbi Bernie Fox: Ki Tavo What Was Written on the Stones?

Rabbi Fox raises the question of what was actually written on the stones. Moses instructs the nation to record the Torah on 12 stones, but no other detail is provided. Commentators present different options: the 613 Mitzvot, the entire Torah…Moses also gives instructions on reciting blessings and curses from 2 different mountains. Yet, what were the blessings? Were they assumed to be the opposite of each curse? e.g. refrain from creating an idol vs creating an idol

AlephBeta: Ki Tavo Summary & Commentary

The scholars of AlephBeta refer to the 2 laws that will only go into effect when the Israelites enter the land: bikkurim, or first fruits, and ma’aser, or tithing. The scholars observe that there is a very specific passage that must be recited when offering the first fruits; one that references the redemption to Egypt, with a Divine promise to inherit the land. The act of tithing relates back to Jacob, who made a vow to give a ma’aser to God.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z’l: Ki Tavo Listening and Law

Rabbi Sacks comments on the interesting fact that there is no word in Biblical Hebrew for the verb “obey”, yet there are 613 commandments. The verb “sh’ma” has many meanings. In Genesis 21:12 it means to actively respond to what someone else wants. The implication is that in the Torah there is no concept of blind obedience.