A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY
This week’s Parsha (Ki Tavo) begins with the law of the first fruits. The law refers to the times when the Jewish people entered the Land of Israel—“Ki Tavo” means, “when you enter.” At that time, they were instructed to bring the first of whatever fruits they were growing (the predominant profession at the time was farming) to the Kohein, the Temple Priest, as a gift to G-d.
There are a couple of interesting lessons to take from this command. Here’s the first one: It sounds from the wording that this law is to take place as soon as the Jewish people enter the land and yet, in reality, we find that the first fruits were actually brought a full 14 years after they came to the land! Why was this? Because the nation could not be properly settled, be completely “entered,” until every last person had done so. If there was still a family or a part of a tribe that had not yet settled in the land, then the “entering”was not yet complete. What a powerful lesson in community! We cannot be truly settled or comfortable until all of our brethren, no matter who they are or how distant they seem, are settled and comfortable as well.
And one more lesson: When the Torah tells us the word “enter,” it means so with completeness and totality. Yes, you’ve entered the land, you’ve gotten your feet wet and even grown some fruit, but you’re not completely engulfed, engrossed, truly a part of the land. So as we “enter” the new year, let us commit to something, something good, that we do with total commitment. In a world that desperately needs our goodness and kindness, it’s more important than ever to know that G-d appreciates our wholehearted efforts. And in that merit, may the year be a happy, healthy and prosperous one for us all. Good Shabbos!