40 | SEPTEMBER 19 • 2019 THEJEWISHNEWS.COM T his week’ s Torah por- tion underscores the complexity in the relationship between God and Israel, specifically the notion of chosen-ness. The heart of it is the juxtapo- sition of Divine blessings and curses, which could be termed promises and threats. The blessings/ promises, which boil down essentially to a life of contentment in the Land of Israel, are followed by the tochecha, a protracted admon- ishment by Moses of the people of Israel that threatens to withhold these blessings if the people transgress. As such, this pro- tracted recitation of blessings and curses weaves together the two layers of God’ s covenant with the chosen people: a covenant based on a Divine promise, described in the Book of Genesis and one based on an array of obligations or mitzvot, described beginning in the Book of Exodus. In the covenant with the patriarchs, God promises Abraham, Isaac and Jacob a multiple of descendants “as numerous as the stars in the heavens” and possession of the Land of Israel (“the promised land”) in perpetuity. This dual promise was given uncon- ditionally in recognition of Abraham’ s infinite loyalty as an entitlement to his descendants, the chosen people. By the time we get to the Book of Exodus, entitlement based on an unconditional promise has already proven to be a less than adequate guaran- tee that Abraham’ s descendants will be worthy of reaping the eternal reward. On the con- trary, the children of Israel demonstrate their unworthiness and lack of faith repeatedly. This necessitated a second dimension be added to the promissory covenant with Abraham, an “obligatory cove- nant,” based on a series of commandments given by God at Mount Sinai. It is this conditional rela- tionship Moses explains multiple times in the Book of Deuteronomy. The most well-known iteration is the second paragraph of the Shema, which lays out this con- ditional relationship suc- cinctly: rain, crops and a life of happiness and contentment if you fulfill the commandments; drought, hunger and a life of desolation if you do not. In short, entitlement to the benefits of chosenness becomes tied to the fulfillment of mitz- vot; failure to do so results in God withdrawing the rewards, regardless of the promise to Abraham. Thus, the complexity of God’ s relationship with Israel: The people are chosen uncon- ditionally but required con- tinuously to prove themselves worthy of chosen-ness. Beyond the daunting nature of rebuke lies the encouraging fact that whether any of this comes to fruition depends entirely on the actions, the deliberate, chosen actions of the people of Israel.The latter is never consigned to be passive recipients of a Divine promise but tasked to be active par- ticipants in determining their destiny. Dr. Howard N. Lupovitch is director of WSU’ s Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies. Parshat KiTavo: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8; Isaiah 60:1-22. Howard Lupovitch Spirit torah portion Being Chosen Is A Challenge So much fun you’ll forget you’re earning service hours. Volunteer opportunities for b’nai mitzvah students and teen leaders. Because We Care is a program of Jewish Family Service that offers fun and fulfilling volunteer opportunities for b’ nai mitzvah students. They can join us for one or more of our Monthly Mitzvot. October 20 Sukkot Family Festival The Shul November 10 Fall Fix Up Different community sites December 8 Hanukkah Helpers Jewish Family Service January 19 The Great Challah Bake Temple Israel February 2 Chicken Soup for the Soul of Detroit Adat Shalom Synagogue March 8 Soothing Sunday Jewish Family Service NEW THIS YEAR! We are offering high school juniors and seniors a fellowiship opportunity. Participants in the Jewish Values in Action Teen Leadership program will help plan this year’ s Because Care programs and gain leadership skills. Stipend will be provided. For more information, to register, or apply for the fellowship, visit jfsdetroit.org/becausewecare or contact Erin Lederman at 248.880.3787 or elederman@jfsdetroit.org.