This week's portion includes liturgical ceremonies that are to be performed once the Israelites take possession of the land.
The first fruits were to be presented by the farmer in the central sanctuary accompanied by a declaration of thanksgiving set in a historical context. (This passage is familiar to us as one of the central texts of the Passover Haggadah.)
The tithe of the third year was designated for charitable purposes; it too was to be accompanied by a declaration by the farmer of his complete compliance with the laws of the tithe. It concluded with a prayer for God's blessing on the people and the land.
Immediately upon crossing the Jordan River, the nation was to perform the following actions: the whole Torah was to be written on twelve large stones erected on Mount Ebal, an altar was to be built on the site and sacrifices offered, and a festival meal was to be observed. The Torah was then to be ratified by the tribes, with the Levites proclaiming blessings and curses for either the fulfillment or abrogation of the Torah and the people responding "Amen."
Moses concludes this section of his farewell speech by reiterating and expanding upon the blessings for adherence to the Torah and the punishments for failing to do so. (This lengthy passage is known as the Tochechah - rebuke.)
The sidra concludes with an appeal by Moses to remain faithful to God who has watched over the Israelites from the deliverance from Egypt until this very moment.
