August 26, 2021 / Elul 18, 5781 • Parshat Ki Tavo
Issue 681
Dedicated in loving memory of Mrs. Miriam Friedman

In the merit of the gifts we have given the poor, Look down favorably upon us from Your holy dwelling, from the heavens, and bless Your people Israel and the land that You have given to us as You swore to our forefathers—a land flowing with milk and date-and fig-honey.

Deuteronomy 26:15


Look down from your holy dwelling

The person who makes this declaration is testifying that the Jewish people are devoted to G-d passionately, beyond the limits of what would be dictated by logic. In return for this "irrational" devotion, we ask that G-d treat us "irrationally", as well—crowning our efforts with success that surpasses what would rationally be expected.

We should not consider such irrational devotion to G-d to be voluntary or supplementary; G-d requires us to constantly challenge ourselves, to prove to Him and to ourselves that our devotion to Him and to our life's mission knows no bounds.

In return, He showers us with His unbounded blessings, transforming even dire situations into revealed good.

—From the Kehot Chumash