And you shall say – that you are not unappreciative
Rav Eliyahu Dessler, author of the ‘Michtav MeEliyahu’, was famously known for his gratitude [hakaras hatov]. This is what he once wrote in a letter in response to one of his students: “I did not find one word of thanks in your letter. You must understand that I am not pointing this out because I need your thanks, but out of my love for you, are you ungrateful?... Be careful to grab hold of the feeling of gratitude, and this will always make you happy.”
He was one ‘who did what he said’, and it is told that during the world war, his son came to America without a thing and HaGaon R’ Eliezer Silber supplied him with all his needs. After a few years Rav Dessler came to America, he traveled nine hours by train to get to the home of Rav Silber. When he arrived, Rav Silber was in shul and he went in to daven with him. After davening, a long line formed of people who wanted his advice and a bracha from the Rav. Rav Dessler also stood in line. When it was his turn, Rav Silber asked him what he wanted, and he replied, “I came to thank you for helping my son.” Rav Silber did not believe him, again asked, “Nu, why did you come?” Rav Dessler replied, “I came to say, ‘Thank you’!”
Our parsha mentions the mitzvah of Bikkurim [first fruit], which teaches us a little about ‘hakaras hatov’ – gratitude. A person works hard, and when his first fruit emerge, he brings them to the Kohen in the Bais HaMikdash, 'ובאת אל הכהן אשר יהיה בימים ההם, ואמרת אליו הגדתי היום..' - ‘You shall come to the Kohen who will be in those days, and you shall say to him, “I declare today...”’ (26:3). Rashi explains the words ‘And you shall say to him - to show that you are not unappreciative.’ The Gemara (Bava Basra 82a) asks, if he brought Bikkurim but did not recite the passage as required, has he fulfilled his obligation? The main purpose of the mitzvah of Bikkurim is hakaras hatov, that you are aware of Who gave all this to you!
We are now at the end of the year, we all want ‘to ask for mercy’ that the new year should be good, but we must remember that first and foremost, we must be grateful for all that we have received. Despite all the difficulties that everyone had, still, the good moments are countless. The main thing is that we are among those who remained alive at the conclusion of this exceptionally difficult year – this is enough of a reason to be grateful. Then, Father – Ribono shel Olam – Thank You!
-Tiv HaTorah – Ki Savo
