B"H

Thursday, Elul 19, 5776 / September 22, 2016 - Hakhel year

This Shabbat we read Parshat Ki Tavo (Deut. chapters 26-29). The Parsha begins with the mitzvah of "Bikurim" - offering of the "First fruits". 

The Torah states: "And it shall be that when you come to the land which 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 Jewish people out of Egyptian slavery, for all the miracles which G-d has done for us, and for bringing us, "to this place and giving us this land, a land that flows with milk and honey."

The Torah concludes the mitzvah of Bikurim with the following, "And you shall rejoice in all the good which the L-rd your G-d has given you and to your household." 

The mitzvah of Bikurim teaches us two very important lessons: 1) that before we enjoy the bounty and blessings which G-d gives us, we must first give back what belongs to G-d. This is accomplished by giving a share to Tzedakah (charity) and providing for the poor and needy.

2) The mitzvah of Bikurim also teaches us to be happy and rejoice with whatever G-d has given us.  A person who believes that whatever he or she has is a gift from G-d, will not be jealous of others and thus truly rejoice and be satisfied and happy in life.

The secret to wealth is taught by our sages in the Mishna; "Who is a wealthy person, one who is happy with his lot!"  According to Torah, true wealth is measured in terms of happiness!

Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chasidic movement, whose 318th birthday was yesterday, says that through joy a person can attain the greatest levels of spirituality, in addition to great physical blessings.

Later in the Parsha the Torah speaks about the suffering which will befall the Jewish people for not serving G-d with happiness. The Torah says, "Because you have not served the L-rd your G-d with happiness and with gladness of the heart, therefore you shall serve the enemy whom the L-rd your G-d will send against you..."

Said Rabbi Bunim of Peshischa, "According to the Torah, the measure of reward is much greater than the measure of punishment. If the punishment for not serving G-d with happiness and gladness of the heart is serving the enemy in exile, how much more so will be His reward for serving Him with happiness. Then He will surely redeem us from exile and bring Moshiach speedily in our days. Amen

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA