This week's Torah portion, Ki Tavo, confronts us with one of Judaism's most challenging theological concepts: the divine contract of blessings and curses. "If you faithfully obey Adnai your Gd... all these blessings shall come upon you" (Deuteronomy 28:1-2), Moses declares, followed by the ominous warning of curses for disobedience. Yet as we read these ancient words, we must grapple with an uncomfortable question: Does our commitment to Jewish practice guarantee divine favor, or might it sometimes invite suffering?
The very act of being visibly Jewish, wearing a kippah, displaying a mezuzah, celebrating Shabbat, simultaneously connects us to blessing and potentially exposes us to danger. In Moses' vision, adherence to mitzvot brings rain in season and security in the land (Deuteronomy 28:12). But history has shown us that Jewish faithfulness has often been met not with divine protection, but with persecution. The same traditions that were meant to bring blessings have sometimes made us targets as cursed people.
This paradox reflects the complex emotional landscape of contemporary Jewish life. Today, we carry within ourselves a multitude of seemingly contradictory feelings. We are proud, watching Israel defend itself with courage and determination against overwhelming odds. We are anxious, witnessing the alarming rise of antisemitism on college campuses and in our neighborhoods. We are scared, seeing the level of open hatred directed toward Israel and Jews worldwide. We are grateful, living in a time and place where we can openly practice our Judaism, wear our symbols of faith without fear.
But our emotions extend far beyond these. We are confused, struggling to separate legitimate democratic criticism of Israeli policies from antisemitic rhetoric. We are isolated, feeling misunderstood by friends and colleagues who cannot grasp the complexity of Jewish identity. We are conflicted, torn between universal values of justice and particular loyalties to our people. We are resilient, drawing strength from thousands of years of survival against impossible odds. We are hopeful, believing in our ability to build bridges while maintaining our distinctiveness. We are exhausted, from constantly having to explain, defend, and justify our existence and our connections to Israel and to our traditions and practices.
These emotions are not contradictions to be resolved, rather they are the authentic experience of Jewish life in 2025. The Torah's promise of blessing and curse speaks not to a simple moral calculus, but to the profound responsibility of carrying forward an ancient covenant in a complex world.
This is precisely why engagement with the Jewish Federation matters. We are here to help you own these emotions, ALL of them, because they are legitimate, real, and ours. Here in Greater Naples, years of investment in Jewish communal life and outreach have created a space where we can genuinely recognize and embrace how we feel without judgment or shame.
Federation convenes our community, bringing together diverse voices and perspectives in moments of joy and challenge. We plan for our community's future, ensuring that the next generation inherits not just our traditions, but the infrastructure to sustain them. Most importantly, we secure the resources necessary to maintain a safe, vibrant, and hopeful Jewish community for us to live actively and engaged today, and for our children tomorrow.
The blessings and curses of Ki Tavo remind us that Jewish life has never been simple. But in community, we find the strength to embrace complexity and move forward together. Because we are Stronger Together!
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