Who is wealthy? The one who rejoices in his portion. This saying is one of the more famous ones contained in Pirkei Avos – Ethics of the Fathers. It is important to note the terminology used. The root Hebrew word is Simcha. The one who rejoices. It would seem that merely being satisfied is not going to make you feel wealthy. Rejoicing in what you have, takes it up to another level.
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Ki Savo, there is a Mitzvah to bring a basket filled with the first fruits of your crop to Yerushalayim and give it to the Kohen. This is known as the Mitzvah of Bikurim. After giving the fruits to the Kohen and performing the accompanying ceremony, the Torah says “and you shall rejoice with all the good that Hashem has given you” (26:11). Hashem is commanding you to be happy with what He has given you. It seems to be a strange and unnecessary Mitzvah. The person is bringing the first fruits as a thanks for what he has produced. He has a good crop. Of course he is happy. What is the purpose of telling us to rejoice? And what if my crop wasn’t so good and I am having difficulty making ends meet. How can I be expected to be happy?
Rabbi Mordechai Gifter explains that the reality is that your level of happiness is not a direct correlation to how much wealth you have. It is generally a matter of perspective. This farmer who is bringing his first fruits to the Beis Hamikdosh. Is he satisfied with the amount of crops his fields produced? Perhaps he expected a better crop. Or, even if he was happy with his crop when he left home, now when he arrives in Yerushalayim and sees another person with better fruits or appears more successful, he may feel disappointed with what he has. The Torah is telling you to rejoice in what Hashem has given you. Recognize that Hashem provides each person with what they personally need. Each one of us receives what we need to live our lives, not to live someone else’s life. If we can focus on what we do have, and appreciate that this is what Hashem says is what we need, then we can truly rejoice in the fact that we have everything we need and are not lacking.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Shaps and the JET Team
