Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8; Isaiah 60:1-22) Come In!

The tradition of Passover Hagadah – the ritual retelling of our story – has roots in this week’s reading. “Higad’ti” – from same root as Hagadah – “I recount,” says the Israelite, bringing his first fruits before the Temple priest, “that I have come into the land that the Eternal promised to our ancestors,” and each pilgrim is obliged to narrate the story of difficulty and wonder that leads up to the coming in. “Your gates shall be open continually,” says the Prophet, “day and night, they shall not be shut.” This is how we encounter the Divine Presence, our Rabbis teach, by entering “doors within doors” when we gather together, not lingering on the threshold. “When you come in,” begins this week’s reading, “Ki tavo” – and what do we find when we come in? We discover one another, “and upon you the Eternal One will shine, and upon you God’s glory will be seen.” So, “Rise and shine, for your light has come.” Let it come in, and let us share in it. God counts your footsteps of approach, our Sages say – yes, yours – and rewards every one, because our story, and our light, cannot be complete without your story and your light.