In last week’s Parsha we learned that Moshe did not actually do the first three plagues himself, they were done through Aharon. The reason is that the first two plagues were done striking the water. Moshe had been saved through the water and out of gratitude it wasn't correct for him to punish the water. Similarly, by the lice, the plague came by striking the dust of the earth. The earth had covered up the dead body of the Egyptian that Moshe killed. Therefore he owed gratitude to the dust and the water.
Rav Yitzchok Dov Koppelman Zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Lucern explains that although the water and the dust don't have any life or feeling. But gratitude is not so much for the person or item receiving the gratitude, rather it shows the true colors of the person expressing the gratitude. A person who benefited from water must have the sensitivity and feelings of gratitude to the water that he cannot strike the water even though the water can't feel anything!
In this weeks Parsha we see the lesson of gratitude twice.
We all know there is a Mitzva of Pidyon Haben - redeeming the firstborn boy by a Kohen.
There is also a Mitzva of giving the firstborn of any Kosher animal to the Kohen.
This Mitzva applies only to Kosher animals that are used for Korbonos - sacrifices in the Beis Hamikdash. It does not apply to wild Kosher animals (deer etc.) or to any non-Kosher animals.
However there is one exception. There is a Mitzva of "Pidyon Peter Chamor" - redeeming the firstborn donkey for a sheep and giving the sheep to a Kohen. The reason why a donkey is unique, is because when the Jews left Mitzrayim they had many possessions and jewelry which the donkeys carried for them.
When Hashem appeared in the dream to Avraham Avinu, He told him that his descendants would be in exile for 400 years. Hashem added that when they are redeemed, they will leave with great wealth. The Maharsha explains that the donkeys who carried all their possessions were actually helping Hashem's promise be fulfilled.
Out of gratitude and recognition to the donkey, the donkey merited the Mitzva of "Pidyon Peter Chamor".
When Moshe warned Pharaoh about the final plague of "Makas Bechoros" - the death of all the firstborns, Moshe told Pharaoh that there will be absolute chaos all over Egypt. But none of the dogs in Egypt will bark or growl to any of the Jews.
In Parshas Mishpatim, we have an interesting Mitzva. When any kosher animal which after slaughtering was found a "Triefa" - unkosher (that had it not been slaughtered it wouldn't have survived 12 months) it must not be eaten, even if slaughtered correctly, but should be given to the dogs.
By Rabbi Dovid Caro
The Reason for the Dog's Privilege
The reason the dog receives this privilege is out of gratitude to the dogs for them keeping quiet and respecting the Jews in Mitzrayim that night.
The Torah shows us how important it is to have gratitude, that all the donkeys and dogs benefit thanks to the donkeys and dogs who were in Mitzrayim.
Furthermore we see the difference of the level of the reward those animals received. The dogs that refrained from barking receive a good dinner. However the donkeys that did a positive action and physically carried for the Jews merited a spiritual elevation that they have a special Mitzva that no other animal has.
When doing this Mitzva we make a blessing and use the words "asher kidshanu be'mitzvosav" - Hashem elevates us and makes us holy through his Mitzvos. In the same way that we are elevated, so the donkey used for this Mitzva also merits a certain level of Kedusha and has fulfilled a purpose in this world.
A Story of Gratitude
Rabbi Sholom Eisen zt"l a leading Rabbi in Yerushalaim went to visit Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer zt"l and invite him to the Bar Mitzva of his son which would be held at his home Shabbos morning.
Rabbi Eisen didn't expect the elderly Rav to show up since he lived four flights up and had only invited the Rav out of respect.
Shabbos morning in the middle of the Simcha, the door opened and Rav Isser Zalman walked in. Rabbi Eisen was in total shock. He apologized to the Rav for causing him such a bother, and he had only invited him out of respect.
Rav Isser Zalman replied "when you invited me to your son's Bar Mitzva, I thought to myself, wow, I just danced at your wedding!, time has time gone by so fast? It caused me to start thinking that a person's life goes by so quickly, and I began having thoughts of Teshuva - repentance! For that I owe you a thank you. So out of gratitude I have made this extra effort to show up and attend the Bar Mitzva."
The Bear in Siberia
The following story was told over by Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter shlita and is printed in one of his books.
In Siberia there are white bears, which are more dangerous then an ordinary bear. Their furs are very valuable. How do they catch the bears? They dig a pit double the height of the bear, place some planks of wood at the bottom and then wait for the snow that fills up the pit. The bear walking in the snow doesn't notice the pit and slides inside without any way to escape.
One day a Jew was walking in the snow and suddenly slipped into one of these pits. He was trying to recover from the shock of what had happened to him, but his shock just doubled! He wasn't alone, he had a neighbor, a white bear.
He knew that he had only a few moments to live. He lay on the floor praying, saying Vidui (confessions) and the Shema fearing the worst.
But nothing happened! The bear didn't jump at him. In fact just the opposite took place. The bear edged over and started licking his hands trying to be friendly. The Jew couldn't understand what was going on and was sure that any moment the bear would tear him to pieces. But the bear just stayed friendly and sat next to him licking his hands.
After a few minutes, completely dazed he sat up. The bear was just sitting next to him staying friendly. Shortly after he pulled himself together and stood up.
Suddenly the bear stood up walked up to him, put one paw on one shoulder, one paw on the other and jumped out the pit.
The Jew began to understand what had happened. The bear had used him as a means to escape. Although he had been saved from the bear, he was still in the pit unable to climb out in the freezing cold Siberian winter.
Shortly after, the Jew heard a noise, he looked up and to his surprise the bear was back. The bear was pulling a huge trunk of a tree and began pushing it into the pit, until the jew managed to climb on and get out the pit.
Even the bear knew how to thank the person that had saved its life!
