Parshas Ki Savo Messages 5778

בּ"ה

Parshas Ki Savo

‘And you shall take from the first of all the fruit of the ground, that you bring in from your land that Hashem your G-d gives to you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place which Hashem will choose to dwell His Name there.’ (Devarim 26:2)

This is the Commandment of Bikkurim -- First Fruits.  When the Beis HaMikdash stood (may it soon stand once again), we would take the first of all the seven species of produce which Israel is known for (see Rashi HaKadosh to the second verse), put it a basket, and bring it to the Beis HaMikdash.  But what about now; what about when we don’t have a Beis HaMikdash and cannot perform Bikkurim in the prescribed way?  How can we, in a way, fulfill it?

Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Peshischa zt”l asks a very similar question -- and he gives an answer too:  Says the Rebbe Reb Bunim zt”l:  In our generation, we can keep the Mitzvah of Bikkurim by making the beginning of the day holy. (Instead of sanctifying the first fruits, we sanctify the first moments of the day).  After rising in the morning, our first thoughts, words, and deeds should be dedicated for the Service of Hashem.

(Torah Wellsprings)

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‘And you shall rejoice in all the good that Hashem your G-d gave to you…’ (Devarim 26:11)

If read in a slightly different fashion, the verse can be understood as ‘And you shall rejoice in all/everything -- the good. . .’ How do we rejoice in all that happens?  When we understand and realize that everything -- yes, even the difficult things -- are really good and for our benefit.

(Tal U’Matar)

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‘This day Hashem your G-d commands you to do these Decrees and Ordinances, and you shall guard and you shall do them with all your heart and with all your Soul.’ (Devarim 26:16)

Every day, they should be new in your eyes, as if on that day you were commanded regarding them.

(Rashi HaKadosh from Midrash Tanchuma)

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Maaseh:  A person once came to the Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt”l (named after his great-grandfather, the Alter of Slabodka zt”l), and asked him what he should think of (i.e. what concentrations/intentions he should have) when he blew the Shofar.

Now you would expect that perhaps the Rosh Yeshiva would reply that he should study Zohar and make sure to learn all the Halachos of blowing Shofar very well (which are, of course, also very important), but Rav Nosson Tzvi zt”l answered one word: “Others.”

(Heard from my Rebbe, HaRav Elyakim Rosenblatt shlit”a)

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A Gut Shabbos to all!