In this week's Parsha the Passuk tells us that a Amoni (from the nation of Amon) and a Moavi (from the nation of Moav) may not marry into the Jewish Nation. Even if they converted, their descendants cannot marry into Klal Yisrael forever.
The Passuk continues and tells us why. Because when Klal Yisrael left Mitzrayim and were on their way to Eretz Yisrael they passed these two countries and they never came out to offer the Jews bread and water.
The Ramban writes, "and it seems to me that the Passuk distanced these two brothers (Amon and Moav the sons of Lot) who received kindness from Avraham Avinu who saved their father and mother (Lot and his two daughters) from the sword and captivity. And in Avraham Avinu's merit they were saved from Sedom when it was overturned. They should have returned good to Klal Yisrael but instead they did bad (and came out to fight Klal Yisrael).
The Ramban brings us an important message.
Let us understand. The war that took place was led by Pinchas the son of Elazar the son of Aharon Hakohen, the son of Amrom, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, the son of Yaakov Avinu, the son of Yitzchak Avinu the son of Avraham Avinu. That's nine generations.
So if the Amon and Moav didn't have Hakoras Hatov for what our great grandfathers great grandfathers great grandfathers grandfather did for their great grandfathers great grandfathers grandfather. For that they lost the merit to ever marry into Klal Yisrael.
That is the obligation of gratitude - Hakoras Hatov.
Similarly, Chazal have the same claim against Haman.
Why didn't Haman remember the favor that Shaul Hamelech did by leaving Agag alive for one night. That one night brought around the birth of a child that Haman was their descendent. Haman should have returned the favor and had mercy on Mordechai.
Now let us look how many generations earlier that happened.
Mordechai was the son of Yair, the son of Shimi, the son of Bena, the son of Motza, the son of Olah, the son of Mefiboshes, the son of Yonasan, the son of Shaul Hamelech. That's nine generations.
Haman was the son of Hamdasa, the son of Adah, the son of Biznai, the son Aplitus, the son of Deyusus, the son of Paros, the son of Hamdan, the son of Talyon, the son of Atnisumus, the son Charuv, the son of Charsom, the son of Sheger, the son of Nagar, the son Parmashta, the son of Vayzasa, the son of Agog. Seventeen generations.
Chazal have a claim against Haman that his great great great grandfather seventeen generations back received from Mordechai's great great grandfather nine generations back.
If that is the claim against such people then what is expected from us?
When we eat a slice of bread we have to realize that we are eating at the table of Hashem and have gratitude for it. That is what Bircas Hamazon is all about.
But where do we start from?
We go all the way back to Hashem taking us out of Mitzrayim from slavery.
A person has trees that grow some of the Shivas Haminim. The Torah gives us the Mitzva of Bikurim - bringing the first ripe fruits to the Beis Hamikdash and giving them to the Kohen. The person had to recite a thanksgiving prayer mentioned in the Torah to give gratitude to Hashem for his fruits. The Passuk writes that the person has to say how Lavan caused problems for Yaakov Avinu and he went to Mitzrayim and Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim. When we thank Hashem for everything he has done for us we don't just start from thing that happened to us. Our obligation is also to remember all the good Hashem did to our ancestors because thanks to all that good we are alive today.
And then like we remember the good Hashem did so long ago, so too Hashem remembers all the good things we did throughout the generations as the Passuk says that Hashem remembers how Klal Yisrael followed Hashem in the barren dessert.
Now let us see if we can remember all the good we received from our family during the last year. Maybe that's overdoing it. How about the last month or week?
By Rabbi Dovid Caro
