Parshat Ki Savo
Rabbi Jablinowitz
BS”D
Parshat Ki Savo
The Medrash Tanchuma begins this week’s parsha with a discussion of the origins of Tefillah. According to the Medrash, Moshe Rabbeinu foresaw the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash and the resulting dissolution of the mitzvah of Bikurim. Therefore, Moshe established that Clal Yisrael should daven three times a day. What is the connection between these two mitzvos and how is prayer supposed to compensate for the loss of the mitzvah of Bikurim?
The Sfas Emes teaches in the name of his grandfather, the Chidushei HaRim, that a similarity between Bikurim and Tefillah is that both are “Reishis”, both represent beginnings. Bikurim are the first fruits brought to the Beis Hamikdash. As soon as the fruits begin to grow, the farmer marks them off in order to bring them to Yerushalayim. He must acknowledge the source of goodness and bounty in the world, and do so in the very beginning of the process. Similarly, when a Jew wakes up in the morning he must daven. Before he involves himself in his own personal needs, he must first thank Hashem and acknowledge Him for all the good that he has. This is the concept of “Reishis”, the first step we take before we enjoy bounty is to recognize its source. And just as the acknowledgement of Bikurim has a yearly cycle, the acknowledgement of Tefillah works for the entire day.
But this idea of “Reishis” has a deeper meaning. This concept is ultimately about understanding our roots. When we come to Eretz Yisrael and harvest our fruits, we must remember our humble beginning as slaves in Egypt. We remember the difficulties endured by Yaakov Avinu, having been pursued by Lavan. We are part of the chain of history. And when we remember beginnings, we’re able to have new beginnings ourselves. When we begin each day by davening, we’re recognizing our roots and Gd’s role as “Mechadesh B’Tuvo B’chal Yom Tamid Ma’ase Bereishis”. This awareness gives us a power to start each day with new hopes and aspirations for new accomplishments.
Perhaps the greatest expression of this idea of “Reishis” is Rosh Hashanah itself. The beginning of each year is marked by recognizing Hashem as King of the world sitting in judgment of all. And the way we respond to this challenge is through Tefillah. Just as we begin each day with prayer, the beginning of each year is the ultimate day(s) of prayer. This is the “Rosh” part of Rosh Hashanah, giving over the “first” to Hashem.
And Rosh Hashanah is also about understanding our ancestry. Part of the Tefillah involves remembering our history and understanding how we are part of the chain of Clal Yisrael. We are the children of Avraham Avinu and therefore request to merit his good deeds , in particular Akeidas Yitzchak. And just as by Bikurim, when we understand roots and beginnings, we’re able to have new beginnings ourselves. We’re able to do Teshuvah, the ultimate new beginning, when we recognize our beginnings and where we need to be. So it’s measure for measure. When we appreciate and acknowledge that the first of everything is from Hashem, He gives us the ability to constantly have new starts and beginnings. This is the connection between Bikurim and Tefillah, and they both connect to Rosh Hashanah as well.
Good Shabbos
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