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THE WEEKLY SIDRA- KI SAVO
Rabbi Moshe Greebel

The 4th century Roman poet Ausonius once wrote, "Nothing more detestable does the earth produce than an ungrateful man!" It is reported that in the 18th century, Louis XIV stated, “Every time I appoint someone to a vacant position, I make a hundred unhappy, and one ungrateful!”

Being an ingrate is universally repugnant to all people of the earth, and, being grateful is a mark of decency, an obligation in the society of man. Yet, for those of us who are fortunate to possess the Torah HaK’dosha, gratefulness is much more than simply a common requirement, or courtesy. It is in fact, the entire purpose of creation, as we shall shortly see from this week’s Sidra, which opens with the Mitzvah of Bikurim (first fruits of wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates):
“That you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which you shall bring of your land that HaShem your G-d gives you…..” (D’varim 26:2)

The Midrash B’raishis Rabbah 1-4, focuses on the term ‘Raishis’ (first or beginning), that is found in this Passuk (verse), and in two other P’sukim (verses) in the Torah:
“Rav Huna said in Rav Masneh's name, ‘The world was created for the sake of three things: Challah (giving part of dough to a Kohain), Ma’asros (tithes), and Bikurim, as it is said, “In the beginning (Raishis), HaShem created” (B’raishis 1:1). Now, Raishis alludes to Challah, for it is written, “Of the first (Raishis) of your dough” (Bamidbar 15:20); again, Raishis alludes to Ma’asros, for it is written, “The first fruits (Raishis) of your corn (D’varim 18:4); and finally, Raishis alludes to Bikurim, for it is written, “(From) the first (Raishis) of all the fruit of the earth.” (D’varim 26:2)’”

The world therefore, was in part created, for the merit of the Jewish nation eventually bringing their Bikurim to Y’rushalayim in the time of a Bais HaMikdash (Temple). What is the true and more profound meaning of this relationship between creation and Bikurim, one bound to the other by the term ‘Raishis’? What is the implication of the above Midrash?

Let us begin with a Mishna in Bikurim 3-3, which seems to have perplexed Rav Moshe Alshich (1508–1593), of blessed memory:

“…..All the skilled artisans of Y’rushalayim would stand up before them (those who brought Bikurim), and would greet them…..”

That is, these artisans had the obligation of interrupting their work for which they were contracted, to greet the bringers of Bikurim, who came through the streets of Y’rushalayim. Yet, posed the Alshich, it is forbidden for one who is hired, to interrupt his work to greet another, which is considered stealing from the contractor. How then, were these artisans in Y’rushalayim obliged to interrupt their work when it came to Bikurim, and under no other conditions? What unique significance does the Mitzvah of Bikurim have?

In order to answer this question of the Alshich, it must first be understood that Hakaras HaTov (acknowledgement of good- gratitude) is one of the most basic and most rudimentary requirements of the Torah. Basically, HaKadosh Baruch Hu is the source of all goodness and kindness that is bestowed upon mankind. Since food, water, air, and even life itself, come only from the kindness of HaShem, it becomes the obligation of each and everyone of us to recognize this fact constantly, to be cognizant of this from minute to minute, and to be continuously thankful.

However, those ingrates who think much too highly of themselves, delude themselves into assuming that they, and not HaShem, are the source for all the good they have received in this life, and, are incapable of giving credit where credit is truly deserved.

Now then, in order to illustrate how serious this lack of gratitude actually is, the following Passuk, which speaks of how Moshe Rabbeinu chastised the B’nai Yisroel prior to his death, is presented: “Do you thus requite HaShem, repugnant people and unwise…..?” (D’varim 32:6)

The Ramban (Rabbeinu Moshe Ben Nachman 1194-1270) of blessed memory, explained the term ‘Naval’ (repugnant) in the following manner:
“It refers to the Apikorsim (heretics)!”

The term Apikorais (heretic) is Greek, and refers to the philosophy of Epicureanism, which according to its founder Epicurus (307 B.C.E.), believed that the greatest good was to seek pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquility, which is what we call hedonism. Those who live solely to ‘eat, drink, and be merry,’ and for no other purpose, are referred to by our Rabbanim as Apikorsim. But, why did Moshe specifically utilize the language of ‘Naval’ when it came to these Apikorsim?

In his text, Darkei Mussar, Rav Ya’akov Yitzchak Neiman (who passed away in 2007) cited the explanation of Rav Moshe Rosenstein (1880-19410) of blessed memory, who taught that since such hedonist Apikorsim live only for physical enjoyment, they are incapable of being grateful to HaShem for anything given to them. There is no better candidate then, for the classification of ‘Naval’ (repugnant).

Rav Neiman spoke of one who is graciously brought into a friend’s home, made comfortable, fed, and given to drink. This guest however, does not even bother to thank his benefactor. That being so, this ingrate of a guest is also incapable of being grateful to HaShem for all that he was given, and certainly deserves to be referred to as one who is ‘Naval’. And, since such a person will eventually not credit HaShem with anything either, he is termed an Apikorais- a heretic.

Now, it was only because of Hakaras HaTov, that Moshe did not strike the Nile river with his staff (his brother Aharon did), to cause the first plague of blood in Egypt. For, the river had sheltered Moshe as a baby, when he was set adrift in it, in his basket of bulrushes. And, if one is obligated to show Hakaras HaTov to inanimate objects (such as a river), how much more is one obliged to show Hakaras HaTov to another individual, and even more so, to HaShem?

Now, this Mitzvah of Bikurim is significant of the immeasurable good that HaShem continually bestows upon mankind with grain and fruit, for which all should be grateful, and in the merit of which, the world was created. And, to show how important is this Hakaras HaTov of the Mitzvah of Bikurim, the Torah relaxes the laws of the contracted worker, which is never found concerning any other Mitzvah.

There is simply not sufficient space in this mailing to list all the fine examples of Hakaras HaTov in the Torah. Suffice it to say then, that we must be grateful for the immeasurable good that HaKadosh Baruch Hu daily does for us, and, let this good sense of gratitude be always extended to those who show us kindness.

May we soon see the G’ulah Sh’laimah in its complete resplendency- speedily, and in our times. Good Shabbos.

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NCYI's Weekly Divrei Torah Bulletin is sponsored by the Henry, Bertha and Edward Rothman Foundation - Rochester, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Circleville, Ohio

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