This weeks parasha from Jerusalem! Parasha Ki Savo (Deuteronomy 25: 19 – 29: 8) – Shabbat August 13, 2014/Elul 18, 5774 This weeks Torah text speaks of the commandment to bring the firstfruits to Jerusalem and give it to the priests. What is the meaning of this commandment (Mitzva) and what will it serve? The promise of the land of Israel to the people of Israel was not only that they should have a homeland. The citizens of Israel, the Holy Land, have a sacred mission to elevate and sanctify their daily lives. One of the means to bring them to a proper spiritual level was to command them to bring firstfruits to Jerusalem. One who has worked hard on his field for several months is tired after long days and a lot of sweat, having plowed and sown, weeding and keeping. Then he sees the fruit of his hard laborious. His pride increases with the growth of the property. He has a strong desire to pick the fruit and eat it, but instead he packs the fruit in baskets and jars to give it away. He knows that it does not belong to him, it belongs to God. He must control himself so he does not eat it. This is to suppress the evil desire, and it is very challenging and difficult, because you need to give the firstfruits with pleasure. It is not enough to bring the firstfruits to Jerusalem, you have to do it with joy. Because when you do everything with joy, this is a proof that you really believe that everything belongs to God. And that all that seems to belong to you, are gifts from God, by His grace. On one hand you can feel as if you lose the fruits of your crop, but on the other hand you get a more realistic and proper understanding of property and money. By distancing yourself from your material property, this prevents you from getting in material bondage and gives you control. You remain free from all the attractions that money and property has. After this initial phase, the farmer takes the firstfruits in baskets and jars and bring them to Jerusalem, to the Temple. While hes in the temple with the firstfruits on his shoulders, he gives his testimony. A witness who testifies about he who give it. This action affects the soul and gives him spiritual growth and a higher spiritual level. Please note the next verse that talks about what farmers who bring firstfruits are going say. I testify today to the LORD your God that I have come into the land which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us. Deut. 26: 3 Here I come now with the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. Deut. 26: 10 Although there have been hundreds of years of residence in the country, says the farmer who firstfruits: Here I come. It is not my ancestors that come, but I do. There is no patrimony, he comes with or a part of their homeland, but with an annual renewable gift from heaven. When this speech is forward said from the depths of the heart is not a life of routine and monotony. But this has the power to fill all of you with great gratitude when you put it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God. And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing the Lord your God has given you ... Deut. 26: 10-11. The commandment about the firstfruits is a regulation with great affection. The essential meaning relating to these regulations is clear to the reader of the Torah (Bible). To bring the firstfruits to the Temple in due time. This describes Israels history from the beginning of the nation until they entered the Holy land, and in this passage we see that the individual would like to thank the Creator for all the good he has done. Another thing that is emphasized in the regulations for the firstfruits is the requirement to do so with pleasure. All commandments and regulations should be performed with joy and kindness, but the regulations about the firstfruits has the joy as an integral part of the Regulations. This is emphasize in the Torah And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing. Deut. 26: 11 The firstfruits were brought to Jerusalem, publicly and with great celebration. They walked together when coming to Jerusalem. They had musical instruments with them and sang Arise and let us go up to Zion (Jer. 31: 6), until they came near Jerusalem, they called out loudly: I am delighted they said to me: We will go to the house of the Lord. Psalm 122: 1. To do a Mitzvah (good deed / a commandment) with a willing heart and joy is a fundamental principle of the Jewish faith. Previously, Israel was in the wilderness and ate manna that came from heaven, now they were in their own country and had to work in the fields to plow, sow and harvest to get their daily bread. This could mean that the people of Israel forgot their Creator and thought that it was their own work, that gave them the harvest. This regulation was intended to remind us that it is only God who gives the increase and that the earth belong to the Lord - and all that fills it. (Psalm 24, 1) This regulation reminds us what is the real goal of living in Israel. Creed that are given when one gives firstfruits to God ensures that the rest of the crop is sealed with the seal of faith. When the firstfruits is holy, the rest of the crop is holy and pure. This is about every individual in the nation of Israel identify themselves completely with his people and their history. Heart renews the experience of getting the land of God. By giving up the fruit of their labor, we learn to have a grateful life, knowing who owns the land and be joyful in it. Individuals working together like this, can grow to a perfect society. And what is it that remains now after going through this wonderful text? We long to return to those years of our past history. We want the Messiah to come and rebuild the temple soon. The longing and desire for the Messiah to come will hasten his coming. From all that we have gone through here, we can learn how a man should look at and use their belongings and money. Although money or assets you have worked hard for is not yours, they belong to God and you should give it to God with joy. In this world a man must work and it is difficult for us humans that are made from the flesh to not follow the desires of our hearts. It is difficult to understand that nothing in this mortal world belongs to us, but let the spirit in us overcome the flesh. This regulation applies only in the Land of Israel, the Holy Land, where there is a constant war between spirit and flesh. Shabbat Shalom and blessings from Jerusalem, Yitschak Naki noameliezer.no
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:48:20 +0000
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