Parashat Ki Tavo

The Mishnah tells of the "declaration over the first fruits" that appears in our portion. This is a ritual in which the one bringing the first fruits recounts what he has done. At first each person would recite the words himself, and one who did not know how to read would have it recited for him. As a result, great shame arose among those who did not know how to read, and they refrained from bringing first fruits. The Sages therefore decreed that the words be recited for everyone. Rav Kook explains that indeed, some were harmed by this: they know how to read, and now it is recited for them; they cannot inject their private intention and individuality into the declaration. But because the community as a whole was being harmed, it was decided to recite for everyone, for those who know and those who do not. We prefer the option in which more people recite the text in the minimal manner, over the option in which fewer people recite it in the more precise and exalted way. The Rav explains that this remarkable educational principle holds true in other realms as well. Take, for example, the text of our prayers. If prayers were private and there were no fixed text, there would be people who could split the heavens with their unique prayer. But because the community needs a uniform text and an orderly prayer, it is right to prefer the existing arrangement.

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