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RABBI'S THOUGHTS: PARSHAS KI SAVO
This week's Parsha, Ki Savo, discusses the concept of Bikkurim, the First Fruits offering. The Parsha explains the commandment to bring an offering of the 'first fruits' which the land yielded, on entering and settling in the Land of Israel. There are two opinions in the teachings of our Sages concerning this Commandment. The Sifri, a commentary on the Chumash, maintains that every individual is required to bring the Bikkurim offering as soon as they enter the Land of Israel. The Talmud, on the other hand, maintains that the obligation only applies once all of the Jewish people are living in the Land. The reason for the Talmud's reasoning is that the Bikkurim offering is connected with simcha (happiness) which, the Talmud maintains, can only truly occur when everyone has reached a state of being settled, not just one individual. These two approaches are not in contradiction. On the one hand, each of us needs to function as an individual and to reach our own personal potential. On the other hand, we cannot be oblivious to those around us. We also need to reach our potential on a collective, communal level. Without this collective achievement, we cannot achieve total happiness and fulfilment. Just as a piece of complex machinery cannot function if even a small part is missing, the Jewish people are not a collection of independent entities, but rather a 'komah shleima' - a complete structure which requires each and every one of us to be intact in order to function. This is why we need to be concerned for the entirety of the Jewish people and why true happiness can come only when everyone is settled and fulfilled. This week marks the 18th day of Ellul, known commonly as 'Chai Ellul' (Chai meaning 18 and also meaning life.) This day marks the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic Movement and whose philosophy greatly emphasises the idea of 'Ahavas Yisroel' - of loving one's fellow and of being responsible for each and every member of the community, wherever they may be. We, too, need to remember each and every person, wherever they may be. Our personal achievements are enhanced by concern for the wider community; conversely, without such concern for others, our own achievements become virtually worthless. The Baal Shem Tov said that every Mitzvah we do, every commandment we fulfill, must be permeated with the overriding Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel, of Love for One's Fellow. This is not always easy to achieve and it presents quite a challenge to work out how to apply it. Some Mitzvot are obvious - inviting a guest to join us for a Shabbat meal, or helping somebody in need. Others are less obvious. The challenge for each and every one of us, to ensure that our lives and our actions are permeated with a sense of communal responsibility, of love for another, is an appropriate one all-year round. How much more so in Ellul, just before Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, when our thoughts turn to our own achievements and our communal achievements over the past year, and we seek to improve on what we did last year. May we all fulfill our potential, individually and collectively, in the coming year and merit only peace, happiness and prosperity for all. Shabbat Shalom |