YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tavo
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Is this envisioned joy a blessing or an imperative? From the section of tochacha (rebuke), which is also found in our parasha, it sounds like the latter. It says: "...because you did not serve Hashem, your G-d, with joy and a good heart from an abundance of all" (ibid. 28:47). We will investigate the nature of the apparent command to be happy.
Rashi cites Chazal as saying that the idea of joy sets the time for the fulfillment of the mitzva of bikurim. One can bring the bikurim with the accompanying declaration only between Sukkot and Chanuka, the season when one is happy with the harvest. According to the Ibn Ezra, the happiness is indeed a condition for the proper fulfillment of the mitzva, but it relates not so much to the timing but to the manner of rejoicing. One must share his happiness and his bounty with the dependent in the community, i.e., the Levi and the newcomer in your midst, whom the pasuk mentions. It is imperative to share the crops with these people who did not receive a set inheritance in the Land.
As he does so often, the Meshech Chochma opens new vistas in regard to this pasuk. He learns that one is to serve Hashem in joy even at times of distress and of exile. When there is not such an abundance of good, one should still be happy about the fact that what he did receive was from Hashem, which is an assurance that He still loves the person.
The second thing to rejoice about is an abundance that Hashem gave us for always, but not necessarily a physical present. Rather, the greatest gifts of all are the values and the intellectual and spiritual wonders that are contained within the Torah that Hashem gave to us. The constant presence of Torah, at any time in our lives and at any time in Jewish history, is always something that should keep us happy and grateful.
It is a holy responsibility of our leaders to strive that the entire nation, whether those who consider themselves religious or those who do not consider themselves such, should come to appreciate the great gift and source of joy that the Torah and the service of Hashem is for our nation. As the Radak says: "One’s service of Hashem should not be a burden but should be done with happiness and a good heart." One thing the rabbinical leadership should keep in mind is that when one strives to follow all of the most stringent rulings so that no doubts remain, there is likely to be a sacrifice regarding the positive outlook on a life of service of Hashem. This could, Heaven forbid, turn a religious lifestyle into an unnecessarily burdensome chore.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
