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By Rabbi Josh WanderThere is a painful and uncomfortable reality that we rarely speak about publicly:Nearly one million Israelis have left Eretz Yisrael to live in the Diaspora.Not because of pogroms.Not because of famine.Not because they were expelled.They chose to leave.They walked away from the one thing that generations before us would have given their lives for: the privilege of living in the Land of Israel.And this can only happen in a vacuum — a vacuum of education, a vacuum of emunah, and a vacuum of understanding the true value of Eretz Yisrael. When someone does not know what something is worth, it becomes very easy to trade away.Creatures of Comfort, Prisoners of ExileMany of these Israelis are “successful” abroad. They live in modern suburbs, earn comfortable salaries, eat in kosher restaurants, and send their children to schools with Hebrew signs on the walls.Some are even “religious.”But spiritually, they have moved from Geula (redemption) to Galut (exile).From light to darkness.From open skies to a tunnel.Choosing exile over Israel is like voluntarily crawling into the spiritual equivalent of a Hamas tunnel — darkness, disorientation, disconnection.It is a self-imposed spiritual prison.They convince themselves that their “spirituality is more uplifting” in New York, Miami, or Los Angeles.What a perversion.How twisted our values have become that we equate kosher supermarkets, valet parking, and kiddush clubs with spirituality.Do We Know Better Than Hashem?Let's ask the only question that matters:If Avraham Avinu and Sara Imeinu were told by Hashem to leave Charan and move to Canaan, would they respond:“Actually, Hashem, our ruchniyut is better here. The housing market is cheaper and the shuls are more comfortable”?Absurd.Yet today, many Jews speak this way.Not explicitly — but this is the core of their argument:“I know Hashem said Eretz Yisrael is our home,but I know better what's best for me and my family.”Chutzpah.Ignorance.Hashem gave us 613 mitzvot. Nearly one-third can only be performed in the Land. How can a thinking, believing Jew read the Torah and still say:“It's better for my neshamah to stay in exile.”The Intellectual Justifications and the Halachic AcrobaticsOf course, excuses always need footnotes.So we hear:* “The Satmar Shitta says the Three Oaths forbid returning before Moshiach.”* “Rav Moshe Feinstein wrote that aliyah isn't obligatory today.”* “Tosafot says due to danger one may stay in exile.”All true — in context.Yet deeply misunderstood and conveniently misused.Even Satmar Chassidim weep over Eretz Yisrael.Even Rav Moshe Feinstein praised the holiness of the Land.None of them said:“Exile is a spiritually superior environment. Stay there for comfort.”For thousands of years, our rabbis begged, prayed, and sacrificed to reach this Land. They endured malaria-infested swamps, starvation, and Ottoman decrees.Not for comfort.For covenant.They understood what we have forgotten:Comfort is not the goal of Judaism. Destiny is.The Real Price: Their ChildrenLet us speak plainly.For the “religious diaspora Jew,” the loss is spiritual blindness.But for the vast majority who leave?It is nothing less than a demographic suicide mission.In Israel:* Intermarriage rate: ~4%In the United States:* Intermarriage rate: 70–90%That means that in America, one generation later,your grandchildren may not be Jewish.Nobody “plans” for assimilation, yet it swallows entire family trees.Leaving Eretz Yisrael puts your children into the currents of history — currents that have erased millions of Jews before them.No Israeli parent moving abroad ever says:“I'm choosing to end my family's Jewish story.”But statistically, that is exactly what they are doing.Kosher-Style Judaism Is Not JudaismThose who leave often say:“We will stay religious abroad. Judaism is not tied to geography.”False.Judaism is born in a place.Rooted in a place.Fulfilled in a place.Eretz Yisrael is not a backdrop.It is a commandment.לא בשמיים היא — It is not in the heavens.It's right here. In the Torah. In every parsha.From Lech Lecha to Ki Tavo.You don't need a PhD to understand the Torah's geography.Only a willingness to listen.The Darkness of Egypt — ReplayedThe Midrash teaches that 80% of Jews never left Egypt.They chose to stay — and they died during the plague of darkness.They disappeared from Jewish destiny.Today, the parallel is clear.We are living in spiritual darkness.Exile is the darkness.Israel is the light.Every Jew today is being asked:Will you join the redemption — or remain behind?Conclusion: The Door Is Still OpenThe tragedy of the yordim is not only that they leave.It's that they don't know what they're leaving.The greatest generation in Jewish history — ours — is living with the opportunity that our ancestors would have given their lives to taste for one hour.The door to redemption is open.The gates of Eretz Yisrael are open.The only question is:Will we walk through them?Or will we choose to remain in the darkness of a self-imposed exile? This is a public episode. 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Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a blessing to her family and klal Yisroel.
In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Parshas Nitzavim, which always precedes Rosh Hashanah, emphasizing the theme of standing before Hashem in judgment, as highlighted in Deuteronomy 29:9, where "Atem Nitzavim" (you are standing) signals the collective accountability of all Israel. He notes the deliberate separation from the 98 curses in the prior portion (Ki Tavo), described as "100 minus 2" to avoid proximity to Rosh Hashanah, including sins like cursing parents or misleading the vulnerable. Rabbi Wolbe shares a story of the Chose of Lublin advising a sinner to commit to truth as repentance, illustrating how truth, reflected in the rearranged letters of "Atem" to form "Emet" (truth), aligns one with Hashem's essence, as affirmed in the Shema's declaration of Hashem as truth. He explains that truth, distinct from beauty in the 15 praises following Shema (from "Emet" to "beautiful"), is powerful yet not always pleasant, requiring careful delivery to avoid harm, as exemplified by Moshe's gentle reprimands and personal anecdotes about sensitive truth-telling. Rabbi Wolbe connects this to the introspective preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, urging listeners to confront their true selves in the mirror, as inspired by a friend's transformative moment of self-awareness in recovery, to recognize their potential and responsibility to live purposefully, aligning with Hashem's belief in their unique contribution to the world._____________This episode (Ep 7.47) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Nitzavim is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on September 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on September 17, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content. _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Deuteronomy, #honesty, #self-reflection, #commitment, #truth, #self-belief, #responsibility, #personalgrowth ★ Support this podcast ★
In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Parshas Nitzavim, which always precedes Rosh Hashanah, emphasizing the theme of standing before Hashem in judgment, as highlighted in Deuteronomy 29:9, where "Atem Nitzavim" (you are standing) signals the collective accountability of all Israel. He notes the deliberate separation from the 98 curses in the prior portion (Ki Tavo), described as "100 minus 2" to avoid proximity to Rosh Hashanah, including sins like cursing parents or misleading the vulnerable. Rabbi Wolbe shares a story of the Chose of Lublin advising a sinner to commit to truth as repentance, illustrating how truth, reflected in the rearranged letters of "Atem" to form "Emet" (truth), aligns one with Hashem's essence, as affirmed in the Shema's declaration of Hashem as truth. He explains that truth, distinct from beauty in the 15 praises following Shema (from "Emet" to "beautiful"), is powerful yet not always pleasant, requiring careful delivery to avoid harm, as exemplified by Moshe's gentle reprimands and personal anecdotes about sensitive truth-telling. Rabbi Wolbe connects this to the introspective preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, urging listeners to confront their true selves in the mirror, as inspired by a friend's transformative moment of self-awareness in recovery, to recognize their potential and responsibility to live purposefully, aligning with Hashem's belief in their unique contribution to the world._____________This episode (Ep 7.47) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Nitzavim is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on September 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on September 17, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content. _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Deuteronomy, #honesty, #self-reflection, #commitment, #truth, #self-belief, #responsibility, #personalgrowth ★ Support this podcast ★
R. Marcus Rubenstein's sermon on parshat Ki Tavo, delivered on September 13th, 2025 at Temple of Aaron Shabbat morning services.
Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 39 | Ki Tavo, by Rav Eli Weber How do we show gratitude to Hashem? How do we deal with failure in Avodat Hashem?
Rabbi Stiel and parashat Ki Tavo
Parsha "Ki Tavo" (Deuteronomy (26:1-29:8) is almost certainly the most famous, and foreboding, set of blessings and cursings in the Bible. But, notably, it begins with "when you have come into the land," and a set of instructions, such as the 'Bikkurim' or offerings of First Fruits, that are to take place there. But we remain in exile, have been "shalach"-ed for cause. So what does that mean about those curses? The Erev Shabbat reading begins there, and the specifics, to set the state: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SSM-9-12-25-Ki-Tavo-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3 During the Sabbath Day midrash, Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa addresses exactly that question. But it begins with an observation: The plagues are certainly - undeniably - "well deserved," not just by the US, but the world. And many, at least, already seem to be in progress. Yet we are told, repeatedly, in Scripture, to "have no fellowship," with the unfruitful works of darkness. To "flee from idolatry." And not to 'keep company' with, or even eat with, the kind of people who commit the kind of perversions we routinely see promoted on CNN. Or taught in the public 'schools.' Mark argues that we have been told to "come out of her," to not participate with those sins, so as to - hopefully - avoid the promised plagues. The prophet Amos tells us that, unless they are agreed, it's difficult for two people to "walk together." And we saw this week there are, unquestionably, a large demonic army of people with whom reasoned dialogue, discourse, debate, and now arguably even peaceful coexistence have been demonstrated to be impossible. So, do those plagues in Deuteronomy 28 still apply? Or not? Isn't it relevant that the FIRST three plagues in Egypt hit everyone? But, during the fourth, of flies, YHVH "put a difference," made a distinction, between the pagan Egyptians and His people? The promised plagues are here, and we're already in exile. So what now? Ki Tavo: The Plagues are OPTIONAL https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WT-CooH-9-13-25-Ki-Tavo-Plagues-are-OPTIONAL-podcast-xxxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:
Download the notes here:https://esm.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/09.13-25-Congregational-Notes-3.pdf____________________________________פָּרָּ שַׁ ת כִּ י־תֵ צֵאKi Tavo“When you come in”Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8Isaiah 60:1-22Matthew 4:13-24
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom guest teacher Rabbi Daniel Sher - September 12, 2025.
Ki TavoDeuteronomy 26:1 – 29:8The Door is ClosingStay ConnectedLinktree: https://linktr.ee/jacobstentWebsite: https://jacobstent.org/Facebook: @jacobstentfellowship Instagram: @jacobstent Download Our App: https://jacobstent.org/appGiving: https://jacobstent.org/giveEmail Signup: http://eepurl.com/g-YpcDJoin us for our Shabbat service with Bill Cloud and the Jacob's Tent Family!If you are enjoying this live stream, PLEASE consider sending in an offering, tithe, or donation to help us continue spread the gospel free from Jacob's Tent. We work hard to make sure this is an enjoyable experience to our online community, but it doesn't come without a price.Give online via the Jacobs Tent app, our website, or text any amount to 84321 to support this ministry. Yahweh bless you and keep you! Shalom.
-- Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Temple Israel Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People. Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.
The Haftarah for the Torah parasha Ki Tavo this week exhorts, "Rise, and shine!" This means someone is needed to arise, and some darkness needs light to shine into it." Judges 5 tells us, "Village life in Israel ceased until I arose ..." A person arose - and life restarted, and darkness was dispelled. How does this dynamic apply to each of us - now - today - in our individual arcs of influence?
The pasuk says in this week's Parasha, Ki Tavo , ושמחת בכל הטוב – we are to rejoice with all of the good that Hashem gives us. In this world, when a person appreciates what others do for him, those people are happy to give him more. But when a person denies the good, it makes others turn away from giving him. At the end of the year, when we are going to request of Hashem to give us a new year of blessing, the best thing we could do is to first appreciate how much He has given us already. One of the reasons people don't appreciate is because they feel that everyone else has more than them and everyone else is happier than them. But they are very mistaken. The sefer Orchot HaYeshiva tells the story of a young man who went to see Rav Shach, zatzal , and lamented that it seemed to him that his friend, who had gotten engaged at the same time as he did, seemed to be happier than him. He was asking the Rabbi if he should perhaps break off his engagement. Rav Shach replied, "The boy you are talking about was here before and he had the exact same complaint. He thought that you seemed happier than him." This is the nature of man, to always think that others are happier than he, but in actuality, Hashem gives each person exactly what he needs to be happy, to do his job. If we could only focus on what we do have rather than on what everyone else seems to have, we would be so much happier. Just saying the Birkot HaShachar in the morning with kavana can bring a person such an appreciation for Hashem. The Chochma U'Musar writes, before we say each beracha , we should think about what exactly we are about to thank Hashem for and then appreciate it to the fullest. For example, he said, one of the berachot is פוקח עיוורים – that Hashem gives eyesight to the blind. Simply, we are saying when we go to sleep we can't see and each day when we wake up, Hashem gives up the ability to see once again. We are supposed to imagine the feelings of a blind man, lo alenu , and then imagine that all of a sudden, a doctor came up with a medication that could cure the blind. How much joy would a blind man have finally being able to see? That is the amount of appreciation that we are supposed to show Hashem every single day because nothing is a given and just because a person has something today doesn't necessarily mean he'll have it tomorrow. It is only because of the chesed of Hashem that we are able to enjoy the blessings He gives us each and every day. We also have to feel so fortunate that we have the zechut to serve the Melech Malchei HaMelachim HaKadosh Baruch Hu . The sefer Mizmor L'Asaf writes, when a person enters the shul in the morning, he should be overcome with hakarat hatov that Hashem gave him the privilege of entering His home to come and speak to Him. The more we appreciate, the better our avodat Hashem will be, the happier we will be and the happier Hashem will be to give us even more.
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Ki Tavo: Lore & Law by Rabbi Avi Harari
BHIf you aren't invested, you can't guide.
In this parsha we consider a great blessing and question. How do we leave the world as purely as we entered it?
In this inaugural shiur in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains why a failure to serve Hashem with joy results in the curses of the Tochacha.
Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. This audio on Ki Tavo was recorded by Rabbi Sacks in 2020. Follow along here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/ki-tavo/be-silent-and-listen/ This week's FEATURED essay on Ki Tavo is available here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/ki-tavo/listening-and-law/ Read and download the written essay, and all translations. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/ki-tavo/listening-and-law/ ________________________ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.
This week's parsha introduces the mitzvah of bikurim—bringing the first fruits to Jerusalem, handing them to the priest, and speaking words of thanks. It's not enough to feel gratitude; we must declare it out loud, with joy, and connect our personal harvests to the larger story of our people. So what are the “first fruits” in our own lives today, and how can we offer them with joy and purpose? Tune in to find out.
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BHTo inspire... you need to "plan".
The JTS Commentary for Ki Tavo 5785 by Rabbi David Hoffman (RS), Adjunct Professor of Talmud, JTS This commentary was originally broadcast in 2017.Music provided by JJReinhold / Pond
The internal war of the month of Elul will determine the arena in which we will live in the coming year. To create a good and sweet year on this coming Rosh-HaShanah, we need to know how to turn the curses that befall us into blessings. The events surrounding the legitimacy of the State of Israel are encompassing the entire world and will reach their peak in a few days in New York at a conference of most of the world's nations. Did the Zohar predict the process and the event? How does the Zohar predict that it will end? For a short reading about this Parashah: https://livekabbalah.org/ki-tavo Join our course program: https://livekabbalah.org/live-kabbalah-courses Join our Zoom Program: https://livekabbalah.org/weekly-zohar-tree-of-life-study-live Support our efforts to provide you with more materials, donate to Live Kabbalah: https://livekabbalah.org/donations
How can gratitude transform even the darkest moments into growth? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Tal Sessler explore Parshat Ki Tavo and its message of gratitude, resilience, and meaning. From the mitzvah of bringing first fruits to Isaiah's words of consolation, they discuss how Torah helps us face trauma, despair, and anger with hope.
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Ki Tavo: Gratitude by Rabbi Avi Harari
Welcome back to The Total Torah Podcast!For those of you listening to one aliyah per day, here is where you should start:01:47 Second Aliyah02:40 Third Aliyah03:19 Fourth Aliyah04:34 Fifth Aliyah07:00 Sixth Aliyah15:32 Seventh AliyahCheck out more of our content on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.