We, Jews, are a People of the Book, and more essentially a people of story. Our story defines who we are and who we aspire to be. And, ritual helps us to actualize our stories through the power of symbolism and the rhythms of time. In this week’s portion, Ki Tavo, we encounter an early form of liturgy—a script for worship. When they reach and settle the land at some future moment, the Israelites are commanded to bring the first fruits of the land to the priests. While doing so, they are to recount a formula for blessing that encompasses a brief history of the people’s past up to that very moment of offering.
Ultimately, stories and ritual are about cultivating in us the quality that is all the rage these days: Gratitude. And it fosters a deeper sense of gratitude through time, as the generations that preceded us and will succeed us, help us to better appreciate the blessings all around us and the role we play in the sacred chain of life.