Ki Savo

THEY [these curses] WILL BE IN YOU AS A SIGN AND WONDER, AND IN YOUR OFFSPRING FOREVER, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT SERVE THE L-RD YOUR G-D WITH HAPPINESS AND GOODNESS OF HEART (Devarim 28:45-46).

What is so terrible about not serving G-d with happiness?

If the commandments are done without joy, routinely, then eventually G-d will be forgotten and the worst sins will be committed.  Lack of joy becomes the source of all other sins (Kotzker Rebbe).


CURSED IS ONE WHO DEGRADES HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND THE ENTIRE NATION SHALL SAY AMEN (27:16).

This curse is followed by a series of curses for social injustice, then sexual violations, and then again social  injustice.  Why are warnings of social injustice interrupted by matters of sexual misconduct?

The two categories are intermingled to show they are equally serious.  One may imagine sexual behavior is a private matter not affecting the public as does social injustice.  One may also suppose that slander and bribery are not grave like sexual violations.  Both of these are misconceptions refuted by
 G-d's Torah (Rav SR Hirsch).

 TAKE OF THE FIRST OF EVERY FRUIT OF THE GROUND THAT YOU BRING FROM YOUR LAND THAT THE L-RD YOUR G-D GIVES YOU.  PUT   IT IN A BASKET AND GO TO THE PLACE THAT THE L-RD YOUR G-D WILL CHOOSE FOR HIS NAME TO RESIDE.  COME TO  THE KOHEN OF THOSE DAYS AND SAY TO HIM, "TODAY I DECLARE TO THE L-RD YOUR G-D I HAVE COME TO THE LAND THAT G-D SWORE TO OUR FATHERS TO GIVE TO US" (Devarim 26:2-3).

Why does the Torah make such a big deal of a small thing?  Is it necessary to come to Jerusalem, enter the Temple courtyard,  and read a parsha simply to show that one is not ungrateful?

The Torah viewpoint is that there are no small things.  When we are aware of G-d's presence every move is significant.  The way to serve G-d and  fulfill the Torah is to give small things their due (Rav Yerucham Levovitz).