By Alex Bolotovsky, CEO of J Leaders
Parsha in a Nutshell
In Ki Tavo (Deut. 26:1–29:8), Moses teaches the ritual of bringing first fruits (bikkurim), commands the people to inscribe the Torah on stones, and sets up a dramatic ceremony on two mountains to declare blessings and curses. The parsha highlights the moment Israel must move from being shaped by Moses to taking ownership of the covenant themselves.
Digging Deeper
1. From Inheritance to Ownership
When bringing first fruits, each farmer doesn’t just drop them off, they declare the story: “My ancestor was a wandering Aramean…” (26:5). It’s a leadership pivot: Moses won’t always be around to narrate the mission. Each person must own the narrative. Real leadership is about passing the story from “the leader’s words” to “our words.”
2. Writing the Vision in Stone
Moses commands: when they cross into the Land, inscribe the Torah on large stones, plain and clear (27:2–8). The symbolism? Vision needs to be both durable and visible. If your commitments live only in your head (or your notes app), they fade. Leaders make vision legible so others can see it and rally around it.
Leadership Takeaway
Leadership means turning values into our story and making mission/vision visible enough for everyone to hold onto. When people own the mission and can literally see it, leadership becomes collective momentum.
Weekly Leadership Challenge
- Tell the story: Share your “why” in your own words with someone this week. Not a quote from someone else, but your version.
- Make it visible: Post, write, or share one core value or principle somewhere others can see it.
Ki Tavo teaches: great leadership isn’t about one person’s voice; it’s about a story everyone can tell, and a vision everyone can see.