Ki Tavo continues Moses' instructions about the proper rituals the Israelites must perform when entering into the land of Israel. In particular, we are commanded to bring the first fruits of the land to the priests and recite the phrase from Deuteronomy 26:8-10:
My father was a wandering Aramean. He went down to Egypt in meager numbers and sojourned there; but there he became a great and populous nation....."
I've always had a picture in my head of a long line of people - streching for miles - with baskets in their hands - reciting the phrase, dropping their baskets, and leaving.
My father was born in Boston - but his parents were from Lithuania. I suppose it doesn't matter - you still have to say the phrase - hence this week's limerick:
If your lineage is pure European
You still must perform this routine -
When you bring your first fruits
To the priests you salute:
“Dad was a roving Aramean”
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