Ki Savo
Rabbi Jablinowitz
BS"D
Parshat Ki Savo
We read in this week's parsha the Tochacha, the rebuke given to Bnei Yisrael of the terrible catastrophes which will result from not keeping the mitzvos of the Torah. In the middle of this section the Torah states (Chapter 28, Pasuk 47), Tachas Asher Lo Avadata es Hashem Elokecha B'Smicha U' Vetuv Leivav, Meirov Kol. The Torah is explaining that these events will happen as a result of not serving Gd with joy and a good heart, despite having all good things (see Rashi's p'shat on the pasuk).
The term used in the pasuk, Meirov Kol, is difficult to understand. The two words contradict each other. Rov means a lot, of which there can be no end, while the word Kol means everything, implying limits and satisfaction with one's lot. The paradigm of this distinction is expressed in parshat Vayishlach in the meeting between Yaakov and Eisav. Eisav initially turns down Yaakov's offer of a gift and says (Bereishis, Chapter 33, Pasuk 9), Yesh Li Rav I have a lot. Yaakov, though, a couple of pasukim later says Yesh Li Kol, I have everything, drawing a sharp distinction between his satisfaction with his lot and Eisav's boundless desire for wealth. How can these two opposite terms coexist side by side in this pasuk?
The Meshech Chachmah explains that the rebuke in our pasuk is over finding joy in the wrong places. The Simcha and Tuv Leivav we feel in life come Meirov Kol, from the bounty in our lives. He quotes the pasuk from sefer Hoshea (Chapter 9, Pasuk 1), Al Tismach Yisrael el Gil Ka'Amim.Do not rejoice Israel over that which brings happiness to the other nations. Rather, our way is the way of the Mishnah in Avos (Chapter 4, Mishnah 1) Eiyzehu Ha'Ashir, HaSameach B'Chelko, who is the wealthy man, the one who is happy with his lot. The Rov Kol is meant to bring us to a point of Simcha and Tuv Leivav. We rejoice with whatever we have.
This is the way to serve Hashem as we learn in the beginning of the parsha with the mitzvah of Bikkurim. The pasuk says at the end of this section (Chapter 26, Pasuk 11), V'Samachta B'Chol Hatov Asher Nasan Lecha Hashem Elokecha. You shall rejoice in all the good Hashem has given you. The joy should come from the fact that it was given to you by Hashem. The Hakaras Hatov we express in the mitzvah of Bikkurim is not necessarily about how much we received, but rather just the fact that we received from Hashem is sufficient reason to rejoice. This is the proper means of Avodas Hashem we need to avoid the terrible outcome described in our parsha.
Perhaps we can answer our question in the following way. The Torah combines the words Meirov Kol, though they mean two very different things, in order to show the very fine line between them. The Meshech Chachmah describes a subtle distinction between the joy coming from the bounty, and the bounty bringing about joy. When the joy only comes from bounty, this is a result of the emphasis of Rov over Kol. This is the way of Eisav and this approach violates the pasuk of Al Tismach Yisrael Ka'Amim. This is the way of the nations of the world.
But when the bounty brings about joy there is an emphasis on Kol. There is an appreciation that whatever we have from Hashem should be appreciated and bring us happiness. In this manner we follow in the footsteps of Yaakov Avinu and the other Avos as well. And the wordsMeirov Kol teach us that it is a very fine line indeed. The word Tachas in our pasuk means in place of. We must be careful to keep our priorities in order and not confuse great wealth for joy; rather the joy we feel from receiving from Hashem makes us wealthy instead.
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