{"id":83208,"date":"2024-09-20T08:13:39","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T13:13:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=83208"},"modified":"2024-09-23T00:21:06","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T05:21:06","slug":"curses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/curses\/","title":{"rendered":"Curses"},"content":{"rendered":"

By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER<\/p>\n

Parshat Ki Tavo \u2013 this week\u2019s Torah portion \u2013 is invariably read during the month of Elul… generally in close proximity to Rosh Hashanah. A distinguishing feature of this section of Scripture is a series of harsh curses and admonitions (Deuteronomy<\/em> 28:15-69, known as the \u201cTochechah\u201d \u2013 \u201cThe Rebuke\u201d)  \u2013 threatening dire consequences for Israelite faithlessness and violation of God\u2019s Covenant:<\/p>\n

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So unpleasant is this section of the Torah that it is customary to read the curses in a hushed tone and in a rushed manner: audible to the congregation, but dispensed with as quickly and painlessly as possible. Those given to superstition are reluctant to be called to the Torah for this reading<\/p>\n

Some teach that the scheduling of the Tochecha just prior to Rosh Hashanah is intended as a spur to sincere repentance.<\/p>\n

The Talmud (Megillah 31A) suggests that the ominous reading represents a carefully timed prayer that \u2013 together with the imminent conclusion of the year \u2013 all the year\u2019s curses and misfortunes will also be brought to an abrupt end.<\/p>\n

Amen!<\/p>\n

Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser is the rabbi of Temple Emanuel of North Jersey and the editor of \u201cMasorti: The New Journal of Conservative Judaism.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

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