Prior to Rosh HaShanah we read the curses of Ki Savo and prior to Shavuos those of Bechukosai in accordance with the decree of Ezra “so that the year and its curses should end.” The Ramban links the curses of Ki Savo with the destruction of the second Beis HaMikdash and those of Bechukosai with the destruction of the first.
The curses of Bechukosai are followed by prophecies of the eventual return of the Jewish People consistent with the end of the exile after the destruction of the First Temple. No similar verses of consolation are found in Ki Savo. The current galus has extended nearly two millennia and we do not know when it will end.
At one level the sins for which the FirstTemplewas destroyed were more severe including the cardinal sins of idol worship promiscuity and murder. The SecondTemplewas destroyed on account of causeless hatred (Yoma 9b).
Despite the severity of the sins that caused the destruction of the FirstTemple the Jewish People did not lose their essential tzuras ha’adam. At the time of the destruction of the Second Temple they did. That too is hinted at in the verses of Ki Savo which describe the most refined and soft-hearted eating their own flesh and blood. The curses end with a description of being returned to be sold in the slave markets ofEgypt. But there are no buyers. So despised and lowly has the Jew become that no one will purchase him even as a slave.
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