The point of (the) view
There is drama in the words, reinforced or perhaps interpreted through the inflection in the music trope, featured in this week’s portion of Ki Tavo. Those familiar will inevitably join the Ba’al Koreh the Torah reader as they chant… הַשְׁקִ֩יפָה֩ מִמְּע֨וֹן קׇדְשְׁךָ֜ Hashkifa Mimon Kodshecha…Look down from Your holy abode…
It is recited at the climax of vidui bikkurim, “the confession made over first-fruits.” The familiar script also featured in the Haggadah which captures our story, inviting, more obliging every citizen to see him or herself as an integral link in that chain of events. At the culmination of this declaration, we are in a sense and this is the interpretation offered by Rashi quoting the Sifrei, acknowledging and stipulating if not demanding; Look! We God have fulfilled our part of the contract now please fulfill yours. Provide the rain at its appointed time and lavish us with all the blessings promised of tranquility and sustenance.
The word Hashkifa is scarcely ever used but on the few occasions it is, the connotations are bewilderingly daunting, – it is an expression indicating calamity. The Midrash (Tanchuma Ki Tissa 14:2) brings the other circumstances where the term appears, most notable in relation to the destruction of Sodom, in the book of Bereishit 19:28; וַיַּשְׁקֵף עַל פְּנֵי סְדֹם And he looked out toward Sodom; Rabbi Alexandrai teaches that in the context of the confession made over the first fruit, [see!] … how great is the influence of those who bring tithes that they can convert a curse into a blessing, for whenever the words look forth are used they connote a disaster except in the verse Look forth from Thy Holy habitation from heaven, and bless Thy people Israel (Deut. 26:15). Not only does it not indicate disaster, but (those who bring tithe) convert the disaster into a blessing.
Why is there a need to avoid disaster? If this term has those morbid connotations, why is it used here? What could we have possibly done wrong? This exquisite moment of acknowledging our story and praising God for enabling us to make the dream a reality is such a virtuous act.
Clearly it appears that the Torah wishes to accentuate the magnitude of this moment. We too are being invited to view this moment as a blessing. The journey to Jerusalem may have been arduous, the thought of having to give up a portion of one’s hard earned produce may have been challenging, and yet, this is a blessing.
I believe there is another pivotal concept being relayed. In addition to bringing their tithe perhaps equally importantly every individual has to bring their story, and tell it with joy. S/he who can proudly tell their story is able to “convert a curse into a blessing”. There is something profound in the ability to view our story as a blessing, more so, to convert it from what may appear to be a calamity to a gift. Hope and optimism become the inducement for our tenacity and prowess to make our story never ending. In asserting Hashkifa to God, we are presenting our point of view for the way He too must see this moment, – a blessing, a description of what is and prescription of what must be.
