B"H
Tuesday, Elul 12, 5780 / September 1, 2020
This Shabbat we will read Parshat Ki Tavo. The Parsha begins with the mitzvah of "Bikurim" - offering of the "first fruits". Each year, the first fruits of the "seven kinds" of foods with which the Land of Israel is praised for in the Torah, had to be brought to Jerusalem.
The Torah states: "And it shall be, that when you come to the land the L-rd your G-d will give you for an inheritance, and you will posses it and dwell in it. You shall take of the first of all the fruit of the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you and you shall put them in a basket and go to the place which the L-rd your G-d shall choose to cause His name to dwell there [Jerusalem]." Once in Jerusalem, the basket of fruit was given to the Kohen (priest).
The person bringing the basket of fruit would thank G-d for taking the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, for all the miracles which G-d has done for the Jewish people and for bringing them into "this place and giving us this land, a land that flows with milk and honey." The Torah concludes the subject of Bikurim with, "And you shall rejoice in all the good which the L-rd your G-d has given you and to your household. You, the Levite and the stranger that is in your midst."
The mitzvah of Bikurim - bringing the first fruits to the Kohen, teaches us that before we ourselves enjoy the bounty and good which G-d gives us we must first give back to G-d what belongs to Him. This is accomplished through the giving of Tzedakah and providing for the poor and needy.
The mitzvah of Bikurim also teaches us to be happy and rejoice with whatever G-d has given us. Only a person who believes and understands that whatever he or she has is a gift from G-d, will not be jealous of others and thus be truly satisfied and happy in life.
A wealthy man once came to visit his Rebbe. The man didn't give much charity. In fact, he was so miserly that he wouldn't even spend money on himself. Every day, he would eat only bread and water.
The Rebbe told the man, "I don't like the way you conduct yourself. From now on, I want you to spend money on yourself and eat three good meals a day. Your meals should include fish, meat, wine, etc."
After the man left, the Chasidim asked the Rebbe, "Why did you instruct him to eat all that food? Didn't you teach us that one should not indulge?"
"It is not about what he eats or doesn't eat that I am concerned," answered the Rebbe. "I was concerned for the poor. If he will eat fish, meat and delicacies, then he will at least give the poor some bread. But if he, the rich man, eats only bread and water, no wonder he doesn't give the needy. He probably thinks that the poor should eat rocks..!"
It is important to rejoice and thank G-d for everything He gives us and at the same time show our appreciation by being benevolent to others so that they may be happy too.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA