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Such an explicit declaration of apparent self-congratulation requires explanation, as it appears to be going on a limb and being boastful. Can/should a person really announce that he did everything he was supposed to?
Rashi, commenting on one of the declaration’s elements ("I have done according to all that You have commanded") lends insight. He explains that the person is saying: "I was happy and made others happy." It is thus not a matter of boasting about keeping the mitzva but of reminding oneself what he needs to do. (We know from the tochacha that failure to perform mitzvot with joy is a serious matter – ibid. 28:47). This teaches us: 1. Giving makes one happy; 2. There is no real simcha if one does not make others happy.
The Sefer Hachinuch (#607) takes a different approach. Because speech is so fundamental to a human being’s uniqueness, some people are more careful about what they declare than what they do. Therefore, making a person declare that he tithed properly helps ensure that he actually will do these mitzvot properly. Therefore, the point is not self-congratulation but self-prodding to do the mitzva well.
Abarbanel has a novel approach, which has an interesting practical side. In order to make it easier to fulfill this costly mitzva, a person gets to publicly announce his proper performance of contributing to those who deserve to receive. According to him, we allow and recommend positive publicity as an incentive for doing the mitzva.
There is a parallel discussion in a halachic context. The Rashba (Shut I:581) ruled that a community may not prevent one who donated for a shul’s expansion from putting his name on the wall. He reasons: not only is it the minhag, but it is the way of the Rabbis and even the Torah to publicize those who do good things, which shows it is the "way of pleasantness." The Rashba proves this from the story of Yossi ben Yoezer. He bought a fish in honor of a child’s birth, and they found a pearl in its stomach, which he donated to the Beit Hamikdash, and the donation was publicized.
Public praise can encourage donations (see Bemareh Habazak II:17). This idea is also inferred by the pasuk in the context of giving tithes: "they shall eat in their gateways and be satisfied." What guarantee is there that giving tithes will be enough to satiate the needy? Perhaps, the pasuk is hinting that the ability to publicize donations encourages a situation in which people will give more than a tenth, thus resulting in sufficient funds.
We point out that generosity has a long history in our nation. Yaakov Avinu promised to give 10% from everything he received (Bereishit 28:22) even though the Torah requires it only from certain agricultural produce. So too in our days, fine Jews give 10% of their income to charity without first subtracting their necessary expenses. It is permitted to publicize, in this way, that we emulate Avraham Avinu, the ultimate granter of favors.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
