Shmooze News September 13, 2024
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Gratitude to Those Who Seem Undeserving
In this week’s parasha, the Torah tells us, “You shall not abhor an Egyptian, for you were a sojourner in his land. Children who are born to them in the third generation may enter the congregation of Hashem” (Devarim 23:8). While we have some justified ambivalence toward the ancient Egyptians (not allowing their converts to marry a born Jew until the third generation), we do not reject them altogether. Why? The verse tells us, because you were a sojourner in his land. As Rashi explains, “They were your host at a time when you were in need (due to the famine).” They took us in, and so we owe them!
Admittedly, this is incredible, says Rav Eliyahu Dessler. After all, the Egyptians were far from gracious hosts. They enslaved us, beat us, killed our babies, etc. etc. To such individuals we owe a debt of gratitude?! Moreover, they themselves were ingrates. Even though Yosef HaTzadik was a national hero, having saved their entire country from ruin, within a generation they forgot him altogether. Even though Yaakov’s berachah to Pharaoh ended the famine and continues to be the source of the Nile’s power to water their crops, they turned his descendants into a slave people! Nevertheless, it is clear from the verses above that we are not to ignore the good that they did for us. After all, they gave us a place of refuge when we needed it most. Such is the powerful obligation of Hakaras HaTov, recognizing the good others do for us, even if there are plenty of other things they have done to us that are far from good (Michtav M’Eliyahu, Vol. V, p 79 ff.).
The trait of gratitude is so foundational, that even Hashem expresses it, so to speak, for the good that those who love Him and follow His mitzvos do. In the words of the pasuk, Hashem…Who safeguards the covenant and the kindness for those who love Him and for those who observe His commandments, for a thousand generations (Devarim 7:9). He holds onto, lovingly remembering, the kindness we do in observing His commandments, notwithstanding the fact that such “kindness” actually does nothing for Him, and in fact only benefits us. Our mitzvos add nothing to Him, as the verse in Iyov (35:7) says, אִם צָדַקְתָּ מַה תִּתֶּן לוֹ, If you were righteous, what have you given Him! There is, in fact, nothing we can give or do for the Infinite Creator Who has no needs whatsoever. Nevertheless, Hashem Himself, as it were, expresses “Hakaras HaTov” (gratitude) for the mitzvos that we do, that give us life and eternity! Such is the powerful imperative of Hakaras HaTov! (Michtav M’Eliyahu ad loc.).
The good that someone did for us may not be perfect (as in the case of Egypt where it couldn’t be any further from perfect), but it still warrants our gratitude. The good someone does may not in fact even be needed by the recipient (as in the case of the “good” we do, observing Hashem’s mitzvos), but it is still significant to recognize. After all, Hashem does!
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom / Good Shabbos
Rabbi Moskovitz
Shmooze News September 7, 2024
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L’Dovid, Hashem Ori V’Yishee
In the month of Elul and throughout the upcoming Yom Tovim, we recite “L’Dovid” (Tehillim 27) each morning and evening. The source for this custom appears to be a Midrash (שוחר טוב כז אות ד) which expounds the phrase in the first verse of this psalm, ה' אוֹרִ֣י וְ֭יִשְׁעִי, Hashem is my light and my salvation as being a reference to the Yomim Noraim (High Holidays). The Midrash states, “Hashem is my light” on Rosh Hashanah (when we gain clarity for our purpose in life), and “my salvation” on Yom Kippur (when we gain atonement, and salvation from the mistakes of our past).
In addition, some note, that this chapter of Tehillim lists the Name of Hashem thirteen times. The thirteen repetitions of Hashem’s Name allude to the Thirteen Attributes of Divine Mercy, which we recite as a central theme and tefillah throughout the Yomim Noraim.
Although the above midrash does not reference Sukkos, the continuation of the psalm does. It goes on to say, כִּ֤י יִצְפְּנֵ֨נִי בְּסֻכֹּה֘ בְּי֢וֹם רָ֫עָ֥ה, He will hide me in His Sukkah on the day of evil (ibid. v. 5). This then is the source of the custom to continue reciting L’Dovid even after Yom Kippur, all the way through Sukkos (including Shemini Atzeres in the diaspora). (מטה אפרים תקפא ס''ו).
We have seen allusions to Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkos in this familiar psalm which accounts for the recital of L’Dovid throughout those days. Why, though, do we recite L’Dovid throughout the month of Elul? R’ Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin (פרי צדיק דברים ע' ע''ד) suggests that there is an allusion to Elul in this perek of Tehillim as well. Towards the end of the psalm it says, לוּלֵ֗א הֶ֭אֱמַנְתִּי לִרְא֥וֹת בְּֽטוּב ה', Had I not trusted that I would see the goodness of Hashem. The word לולא, is אלול (Elul) backwards. In Elul, the last month of the year, we pause to take a look backwards, at the year that is coming to a close. This is the time that we are to make the spiritual accounting that will prepare us for the big days ahead (הגיוני הלכה, מעמדו של חודש אלול).
Finally, in this psalm, David Ha’Melech urges us not to walk around with fear or dread. For while these days are indeed days of awe, which inspire us to think and be bigger, they are meant to build us, not destroy us. After all, Hashem is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? Hashem is my life’s strength, whom shall I dread? We have trust and faith in Hashem that He wants the very best for us, and therefore we put our hope in Him, as the concluding words of the perek state: Hope to Hashem; strengthen yourself and He will give you courage, and hope to Hashem.
Wishing you all a Good Shabbos / Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Moskovitz