Ki Thisa:

Ki Thisa: Acknowledgment

 

The Vidui maaser: the acknowledgement of having arrived.  It is much more than a thank-you.  It is an acceptance of the Lordship of Gd and Gd's rule over the land.

The associated curse is all about the land.  Exile is the cause of the troubles and return to the land is the salvation. Zionism is born.

 

The parsha  emphasizes the way that other nations view Israel. The images of  Jews lending ( at interest) to the nations and the Jew as a disgusted symbol become Incorporated in the traditions of gentile peoples ( and Jews).  The acceptance of the Hebrew Bible by Christians gives a textual basis to the image and becomes a self fulfilling prophecy...

 

Now that the State of Israel is established our image changes and perhaps that image depends on whether we bring our first fruits to the L rd and fulfill our obligation  to our brothers and sisters.