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Beit Midrash
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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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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.