This week’s portion is titled Ki Tavo, which means “When you arrive at the land that G-d promised you.” Naturally, when we hear this, our thoughts turn to Israel. However, surprisingly, Israel is not explicitly mentioned in the portion, nor is Canaan, as Israel was known in Biblical times. This leaves us with the task of interpreting what exactly the "promised land" refers to. Kabbalists teach us that we can find this sacred land wherever we feel at home.

So, how and when do we arrive at this promised land? Interestingly, we can gain insight by examining the names of Israel and Canaan. Israel, meaning "leader," and Canaan, derived from the Hebrew word Ceniya (to surrender), combine to teach us that in order to reach the land G-d has promised us, we must first surrender to the Divine and trust that we will be led there when the moment is right.

But what does it truly mean to “feel at home”? We instinctively understand the difference between a house—a mere structure—and a home. A home is felt in our hearts. It is a place of peace, belonging, and safety that goes far beyond the basic need for shelter. A home is where we can be ourselves, free from pretense. Thus, finding our true home should be regarded as an essential milestone on our spiritual journey. This portion reassures us that we will be drawn to the land that belongs to our soul, and reminds us to remain attuned to the messages our souls are sending us. Ignoring these messages can be costly.

It’s natural to feel impatient to arrive at the land G-d has promised us, that true home, whatever it may look like. However, it is important to remember that G-d alone decides when the time is right to reward us. Before we can receive this reward, we will inevitably face challenges, or tikkunim—things that need to be fixed. Therefore, we should not be discouraged when things don’t go according to plan. If a move to a new city is suddenly canceled, don’t be disheartened. If a house sale falls through, trust that there is a reason behind it. The path to your true home is a process, and the key is to surrender to that process with faith in the Divine. When you eventually arrive at the land G-d promised you, you will recognize it.

For some, this portion may be difficult to read. Alongside the promise of a sacred land, it also contains no fewer than 98 curses. This combination of blessings and curses is not accidental; it serves as a reminder that all the wonderful promises G-d has for us depend on our spiritual commitment. If we neglect our spiritual growth or ignore the Divine presence, the curses are the consequences of those actions. We should approach this portion as both a motivation and a warning: to experience a fulfilling, meaningful life, we must dedicate ourselves to our spiritual path. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to choose this path.

However, we should not let the curses paralyze us with fear. The Talmud and the Zohar teach that within every curse lies its cure. Cures precede curses. So, when we face challenges or hardships, we must remind ourselves that the solution is already within the difficulty we are experiencing. There is always a lesson to be learned, and through that lesson, we can find healing.

Take our current situation, for example. We can agree that a cure for the coronavirus must already exist on this earth. The key is to actively search for it, through scientific research and exploration. Similarly, in our daily lives, when faced with curses—whether spiritual or material—we must remain open to the messages G-d is sending us. Only through this surrender can we be led to the land G-d has promised us: our true home.