Daniel Vinokuroff: Remember Before You Ask

Parashat Ki Tavo August 29, 2026 Remember Before You Ask.

From Parashat Ki Tavo, Daniel made an interesting observation that I love! The parsha centers around bringing our first fruits, our offerings, the best of what we have to give. But rather than dropping off the offering and leaving, Adonai instructs the people of Israel to first tell the story. Tell again who you are, where you have come from, and how you arrived at this moment. Before you ask, “what comes next,” remember, recall, and tell what Hashem has already done. Daniel points out that this isn’t just nostalgia, and remembering “the good old days,’ but rather it is memory that points back to look specifically at what God has done.

The past shapes the way we live in the present. Daniel said, “Before Israel celebrates what they have, they remember how they got there. Before they enjoy the harvest, they remember the wandering. Before they celebrate the land, they remember Egypt. Before they focus on the blessing, they remember the One who gave it.” It is in remembering the source of all our gifts, we call to mind God’s faithfulness and blessings. Remembering the God who sustains me in the past, reminds me that I can trust God to sustain my future too.

As we celebrate God’s 25 years of faithfulness to Sha’arei Shalom, we must remember that we are telling a story for a new generation. A generation who will look and ask, “Who were you? Was God faithful to you? This is true not only for our Sha’arei family, but our families at home. May the generations who come behind remember us as a people who gave honor and glory to the God of Israel. I Thessalonians 1:1 is a good reminder, “We always thank God for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.”

Daniel concluded with a charge: “Between now and Rosh Hashanah, look back. Look at your life. Remember the past, give thanks in the present, and move faithfully into the future.” • Remember before asking. God’s past faithfulness gives us reason to trust Him with an unseen future. What are some ways I have seen God’s faithfulness in my past? • Gratitude requires attention. What blessings have I received and not acknowledged God as the source? Name them. • Memory leads to offering. What God has placed in your hands becomes time, service, generosity, and care. What has God placed in my hands? • Blessing is meant to move. What I have received is made visible in the way I treat and serve others. Do I use what I have received and share it with others?