Parshas Ki Savo

Thanks for the Memories… Thanks for All that You Have Done for Me

“You shall take of the first of every fruit… You shall say before Hashem, “An Aramean tried to destroy my forefather… Hashem took us out of Egypt… And now I have brought the first fruit of the ground that You have given me…” (Devarim 26:1-12)

A farmer in the Land of Israel has numerous special mitzvos to do. One of them is the mitzvah of Bikurim. Each year, the first ripened fruits grown in Israel that appear from the seven, special species (that the Land of Israel is praised for – wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates) are brought to the Holy Temple and presented to the kohen. The farmer reads numerous psukim expressing his gratitude to Hashem. He expresses gratitude for many events in Jewish history. He thanks Hashem for saving Yaakov Avinu from the death-plot of Lavan, for making us a strong, great and numerous Nation in Egypt, from a mere 70 people, for redeeming us from Egypt with great miracles, for giving us the Land of Israel, and for helping him (this farmer) have a successful harvest.

This is puzzling. When the farmer brings the first fruits to Hashem, why doesn’t he simply say, “Thank you Hashem for causing my food to grow”? That would be enough to show his realization that his successful harvest was due to Hashem and not to his own efforts. That would indicate his gratitude to Hashem. Why does the Torah instruct him to give a history lesson, starting from Lavan’s desire to kill Yaakov?

Rav Mordechai Gifter, zt”l , has an interesting explanation of a different pasuk which may help us understand our difficulty, here: It is not enough to be grateful for the good we receive. We must think and reflect on the entire context of that good. We must think about how bad and desperate our previous situation was before we received a kindness from a person. The more we are aware of this and reflect on it, the more we will appreciate the current act of kindness

By the mitzvah of Bikurim, the more that we are aware of all the events leading to the Bikurim, the more appreciation we will have to Hashem. The psukim that the farmer says, serve this purpose.

There are many people to whom we must show appreciation to, especially to our parents and teachers. If we can visualize all the good that our parents have done for us starting from the time before our births until now, we will have a greater appreciation for them. That greater appreciation will lead to stronger feelings of love and respect for them.

When it comes to appreciation, view the total picture, from beginning to end!
Then you will realize how much more you need to be thankful for.

Parshas Ki Tetzei

It’s Not Fair! Why is He Getting Food and Not Me?

“You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.” (Devarim 22:10)

You are forbidden to harness an ox and a donkey (or any two different types of animals) together to plow a field.

The Ibn Ezra gives one explanation. An ox is stronger than a donkey. Perhaps, this would enable the ox to go at a faster pace than the donkey and cause the donkey discomfort.“ Hashem is merciful to all of His creatures and therefore, He would not allow this.

The Sefer HaChinuch gives another explanation. Animals are more comfortable working with their own species. Therefore, the Torah says that two different species should not be placed together in the same yoke.

The Da’as Zekainim gives a third explanation. An ox chews its cud and a donkey does not. If they would work side-by-side, the donkey would hear the ox “eating”. The donkey would feel jealous of the ox. “Why is the ox getting food while I am not?” The donkey will feel bad. To prevent the donkey’s pain, the Torah forbids putting an ox together with a donkey to work the field.

All three explanations show the Torah’s sensitivity to the donkey. If we think for a moment about the explanation of the Da’as Zekainim, we can get an even deeper understanding of the Torah’s sensitivity to the donkey.

The ox really does not get any more food than the donkey. The ox merely rechews the food it already swallowed. Yet the donkey mistakenly thinks that the ox did get extra. Even though the donkey is mistaken and has no actual basis for his envy and pain, the Torah still says to BE SENSITIVE to his feelings. The Torah expects us to learn from here the depth of compassion and sensitivity we certainly must have for other people who are created in the image of Hashem.

Rabbi Chayim Shmuelevitz points out that this is also a lesson in how sensitive we must be in order not to make others feel jealous or envious of us. The way we act, or dress could cause another person to feel jealous. The type of car we drive or the type of house we live in may also cause jealousy.

We always must be aware of others and be sensitive to their feelings.

Parshas Shoftim

Let Me Give You a Hand!

“When you observe this entire commandment… to love Hashem… and to walk in His ways all the days”. (Devarim 19:9)

The Torah tells us to love Hashem and “walk in His ways all the days”.

The Chofetz Chaim says we should be very vigilant that every day of our lives includes the holiness of learning Torah, performing mitzvos and “walking in Hashem’s ways”. The Chofetz Chaim, quoting the Sifri, explains that “walking in Hashem’s ways” means to copy Hashem’s behavior, such as being kind and compassionate. Some may think that if they do someone a favor, especially a difficult one, they have fulfilled their obligation of doing chesed for the week. The Chofetz Chaim explains that the Torah is emphasizing, we must walk in Hashem’s ways all the days. Every single day we must go out of our way to do someone a favor Since we are following Hashem’s example, if we are able to, we should try to do many acts of chesed every day. Typically, when we read about someone special, he is not described as one who learns Torah and does acts of chesed. Rather he is described as one who is involved constantly in learning Torah and doing chesed.

According to the Tana D’vei Eliyahu, when the Jews were enslaved in Mitzraim, they searched for a way to be saved from Pharoh’s decrees. They decided to do chesed with one another, hoping that Hashem would then do chesed with them and redeem them from persecution. The merit of this chesed had the necessary effect. The Chofetz Chaim adds that this is a lesson for all generations. By doing chesed, we help bring redemption.

Even the smallest act of kindness is a mitzvah and we should run to do it. When giving someone change or even when passing salt to someone, we are fulfilling the mitzvah of doing chesed. A friendly smile and a kind word or even listen to someone unburden their troubles are also forms of chesed

Late one night while learning in shul, Rabbi Yisroel Salanter overheard two poor men talking. One asked the other to walk with him to the well because he was afraid to go alone, so late at night. The other poor man, who was half asleep, said no. Immediately, Rav Yisroel interrupted his learning and went to the well to get water for the poor man

In the Kelm yeshiva, after the students washed their hands before eating, they would fill-up the washing cup for the next person.

Once the Chazon Ish was approached by a sad woman who asked that he accept money to daven for her. The Chazon Ish accepted the money, gave her a long bracha, and cheered her up. When she left, the Chazon Ish’s student questioned why he accepted the money; something he never did. The Chazon Ish explained, “Everyone is required to do chesed in every possible way. In this case, the biggest chesed I could do for this woman was to accept her money.”

Many opportunities for chesed present themselves to us every day. If we “open our eyes” to become aware of them, we will see them. Did you ever notice any one of the following: A person in the store trying to reach-up and grab an item from the top shelf; Someone loaded with packages who could use someone to open the door for them; Someone looking for change to give tzedakah or to put into the parking meter; A new person entering your shul and looking for a siddur? These are all opportunities to do an easy chesed.

Every day we should try to be aware of our surroundings and LOOK for opportunities to do chesed.

Parshas Re’eh

Feel Safe in This Pilot’s hands!

“You are children to Hashem your G-D – You shall not cut yourselves… For you are a holy people to Hashem…” (Devarim 14:1-2)

Every person has difficulties and challenges in life. Many tragedies occur every day. Why do they happen? Doesn’t Hashem love us?

The Ibn Ezra gives a novel explanation of the above pasuk. “Since you know that you are “children to Hashem” and He loves you more than a father loves his child, do not cut yourself in anguish over anything that He does – For everything that He does for you is for the best. And this is so even if you do not understand it, just as small children sometimes do not understand the actions of their father but rely on him nevertheless. For you are a holy people, unlike the rest of the nations…”.

A small child can’t understand why a father hit his hands. Yet, it was a loving hit, to keep his hands from getting burned from touching the hot flame on the stove.

Rabbi Akiva was traveling with his donkey, rooster and a lantern. Towards evening he entered a small town and was refused lodging. He couldn’t understand why not, but he kept his faith that whatever Hashem does is for the best. As Rabbi Akiva prepared to sleep in the nearby forest, wild animals killed his donkey and rooster. He didn’t complain to Hashem, “Why are You doing these terrible things to me?” Rather, his response was, “Whatever Hashem does is for the best”. He gave the same response when the wind blew out the flame on his lantern, just as he was learning Torah. The next morning, when Rabbi Akiva re-entered the town it was deserted. Robbers had come in the middle of the night and kidnapped all the townspeople. Now Rabbi Akiva understood that everything that had happened to him had actually saved him from being kidnapped.

The Ramban once made a deal with a dying student. The Ramban agreed to accept the responsibility of marrying – off his student’s seven daughters if his student would return to him in a dream (after he died) to explain why Hashem was bringing such terrible pain and anguish on the Jewish People. The student did not appear to The Ramban in a dream until after his seventh daughter was married. He explained that he had not come sooner because from his perspective in heaven, he didn’t see any bad things happening to the Jews! In heaven, he had a clear understanding that all that was occurring was truly good!!

I remember reading a Midrash, when I was younger, about Eliyahu the prophet. Eliyahu came down to the earth to travel with a specific person. At night they were graciously welcomed into the home of a poor couple. The couple gladly shared their supper with the guests. They gave them their own straw mattresses to sleep on. The next morning, after opening their home so graciously, their only cow died. The next night Eliyahu and his companion tried to get lodging in the mansion of a very rich man. They were refused. Only after much pleading, did the rich man permit them to sleep in the barn with his animals. The next morning, Eliyahu showed his appreciation by fixing a stone wall that was about to fall. Eliyahu’s traveling companion was dumbfounded. The kind couple was “punished” while the unkind, wealthy person was “rewarded”? Eliyahu explained that man cannot understand the actions of Hashem, his loving Father. Things are not what they seem. It had been decreed that the poor man’s wife was supposed to die that morning. Because of their act of kindness, Hashem killed their cow instead. There was a treasure under the rich man’s fence. His unkind actions made him undeserving of the treasure. Eliyahu fixed his wall so well that it would not fall and uncover the treasure.

Rabbi Ashear tells the story of a young girl who was a passenger on the plane. The turbulence was so bad that the other passengers were very afraid. This young girl was totally calm. She explained that her father was the pilot. She felt totally safe in his hands; She knew that he would bring her safely home.

We should always feel the way this young girl did. Hashem, our loving Father, is piloting the plane of life. He is directing everything that that happens to us, to be only good for us. Through the turbulent ride of life, we should feel the same calm confidence that our Father will get us safely to our destination.

Parshas Eikev

I Also Want To Be A Heavyweight Lifter!

“This shall be the reward when you listen to these mitzvos”. (Devarim 7:12)

According to Rashi, Hashem promises bountiful blessings if we fulfill the “minor” mitzvos-Those mitzvos that we consider unimportant-the ones we “trample on”.

Vasily Alekseyev was the Soviet super heavyweight lifter who reigned as the so-called world’s strongest man in the 1970s. He gradually lifted more and more until he lifted a world-record 1,323 pounds!

Ben Azzai said (Pirkei Avos 4:2) a person should run to do a “minor” mitzvah. There are various explanations what that means. Rabbeinu Yonah explains, when you perform a mitzvah you become conditioned to obey Hashem’s will. It is just like weightlifting. After doing one “minor” mitzvah which seems unimportant or is very easy to perform, you are then able to do another mitzvah which is slightly more difficult than the first one. When you do three “easy” mitzvos it becomes habit-forming. Then you will do mitzvos even if they are more difficult for you to do.

Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi said (Pirkei Avos 2:1) to be as careful in performing a “minor” mitzvah as you are in performing a “major” mitzvah because you don’t know the reward for mitzvos. Maybe the mitzvah that you feel is insignificant is the one that Hashem values the most.

There is a parable about a king who asked workers to plant an orchard for him. He said that he would pay a different amount for each type of tree – but he didn’t specify the amounts. Had he told them which tree he would pay the most for, that is the only tree that they would have planted. This way the king had a beautiful orchard with all types of trees. Similarly, the Torah doesn’t specify the specific reward for mitzvos. If it would, we would only do the more “valuable” ones. Then we would be lacking in total perfection, which requires us to do all the mitzvos.

Rav Yisroel Salanter explained that for some mitzvos the Yetzer Hara doesn’t fight against us as strongly as he does for others. These mitzvos are easier to do. If we fail to fulfill these “easy” ones, we are held more accountable.

The Maharal explained that even for a mitzvah which you don’t think will result in much reward, the reward is very great.

The giant, Og, once did a specific good deed for selfish reasons. He informed Avraham that his nephew Lot was captured. Even though he had an ulterior motive for doing so, Og received abundant longevity.

Our matriarch Rivkah performed an act of kindness – giving water to tired travelers and their camels. The way in which she did this mitzvah was so special that it elevated this mundane action, making her worthy of becoming the mother of the Jewish People.

We were created to perform mitzvos. Performing mitzvos helps our souls feel good. The Yetzer Hara is always trying to prevent us from doing them. We should take advantage and not ignore the “minor” mitzvos that come our way. It is very easy to respond amen to a bracha or to a kaddish. It is easy to say a bracha before eating. It is generally easy to lend or share a small item to/with a friend. It is easy to wear tzitzis. There are many other easy mitzvos which we can do.

When we “grab” the “minor/easy” mitzvos, we get tremendous reward! We also become conditioned to obey Hashem’s will and it becomes easier for us to do the “more challenging” mitzvos.

Parshas V’eschanan

Grab Them While You Can!

“Then Moshe set aside three cities on the bank of the Jordan…” (Devarim 4:41)

When the Jews would eventually settle in the Land of Israel, some cities would be set aside as “safe (refuge) cities”. A person who killed accidentally could run to one of those six “safe cities” and be protected from harm (from the victim’s relatives).

Before Moshe died, he designated three cities on the side of the Jordan River, outside the Land of Israel. These cities would serve as “safe cities” for the two and a half tribes that would live there.

Why did Moshe go to the trouble of designating these three cities? What did he accomplish? After all, these cities would not be open and operating as “safe cities” until the Jews were totally settled in the Land of Israel and the rest of the “safe cities” would be designated. That would not happen for numerous years. Why was Moshe “wasting his time” doing a meaningless action?

Rashi answers, Moshe felt very strongly that he should do any mitzvah he possibly could. Even if he couldn’t complete it, at least he should start it.

The Sforno adds that Moshe had just finished telling the Jewish people the importance of keeping the mitzvos. Now he wanted to demonstrate to the Jews this very important lesson. He wanted them to understand how meaningful and significant it is to do a mitzvah.

We see a beautiful lesson in the importance of doing mitzvos. Do as much as you can; grab as many mitzvos as possible! Start them even if you will not be able to complete them!

There is a beautiful story from the Chofetz Chaim illustrating this point:

A poor person sailed to a far-off island in hope of becoming rich. When he arrived, he started pocketing diamonds that were all-over the street. He soon stopped, after the natives laughed at his foolishness. Diamonds had no value in their country as they were freely strewn all over. Instead, he spent his time earning chicken fat, which was valuable there. After a year, the man returned home. He realized that he had wasted his time when he was on that island instead of gathering diamonds which were truly valuable to him.

The Chofetz Chaim explains that we are in this World to collect as many mitzvos (which are true riches, like the diamonds in the story) as we can. Many mitzvos are so easy to do (just as it was easy to collect the diamonds which were just lying in the streets). Unfortunately, many people spend their time collecting money and things at the expense of collecting mitzvos.

We can’t lose focus on what “true wealth” is – the performance of mitzvos.

Parshas Devarim

Who is Our Not-So Secret Admirer?

“…We went through the entire great and awesome Wilderness…” (Devarim 1:19)

Imagine that you have a secret admirer who loves you so much. He will secretly do anything for you. In fact, he has already done many things for you without your knowledge. He has even saved your life a few times, unbeknownst to you. How can you feel anything towards him if you don’t even know that he takes care of you and loves you?

In this week’s parsha, Moshe discusses the past events that occurred to the Jewish People. After they left Har Sinai, Hashem led the Jews through “the great and awesome Wilderness”. Rashi and others explain that the wilderness is described as great and awesome because of the enormous and terrifying snakes and scorpions that they saw in this wilderness. The Mizrachi asks, “How could the Jews have feared these animals if they didn’t see them – Didn’t the Heavenly cloud that protected and preceded them kill all the snakes and scorpions?” The Sifri answers, that they saw the rotting and terrifying bodies of the dead snakes and scorpions, as they passed them along the way. Just the sight of those terrifying creatures gave the Jews goosebumps.

Why did Hashem leave the carcasses of these terrifying creatures for the Jews to see? Perhaps it was to clearly show, unlike the secret admirer above, how much Hashem truly loves us. Hashem takes care of us constantly and protects us regularly. The Kli Chemda (Rabbi Shmuel Laniado, student of Rav Yosef Caro) explains that Hashem purposely sent the Jews along this dangerous route so that we would recognize Hashem’s kindness & the miracles that He does for us. This would also give the Jews the added courage when they would have to fight against the mighty kings of Canaan, as they entered the Land of Israel.

In Parshas Chukas, the Amorites were planning on ambushing the Jews as we came through a valley, on the way to the Land of Israel. Hashem miraculously saved us. Hashem said, “Who is going to tell My children about these miracles (of how I saved them)?” Hashem caused the well of Miriam to flow near the Jews, carrying the blood and bodies of their enemy. Then they realized that Hashem had performed miracles for them.

Hashem loves us more than we can imagine. He only wants what is truly good for us (even though, at times, it might not be evident to us). Hashem has performed miracles for us (as a people and as individuals) to show His love for us and His desire to take care of us. We should always feel His love.

Similarly, when we do a favor for people or for their children we should let them know about it! When they see how much we love them or their children, they will feel loved and cherished by us. They will then reciprocate our love.

All this love, of one Jew for another, will help bring Moshiach speedily.