The Guttenberg Press: Ki Tavo

While the Torah is much more than a book of mitzvot, it does contain all 613 mitzvot.  But what exactly constitutes a mitzvah has been a question asked throughout the ages.  Different commentators have listed various criteria as to what constitutes a mitzvah and they don’t all agree. Yet, the consensus among them all is that in order for something to be considered a mitzvah it has to be binding for generations.  

In this week’s parsha, the Torah details the many blessings and curses befalling the Jewish people who keep or disregard the path of Hashem. The tribes were divided onto two mountains, Har Gerizim and Har Eivel, and on the former mountain were said the blessings and the latter the curses. Many commentators classify the gathering on these mountains as a mitzvah. 

Question to Ponder:
The blessings and curses bind the Jewish people together as a covenant with Hashem for all generations. However, the gathering and standing on these mountains was a one-time event. How then could this still be considered a mitzvah?  Why do you think this is classified as a  mitzvah?