WHY ALL THE FANFARE?
This week’s Parsha, Ki Savo, opens with a very unique mitzvah, the mitzvah of Bikurim. While every mitzvah is unique in its own way, Bikurim is distinct in the manner which it is fulfilled. The mitzvah itself is for every landowner who has fruit trees to take his very first fruits of the season and present them to the Kohein in the Bais Hamikdosh. The way this mitzvah was performed was outstanding.
All the people in the village would gather together the night before and camp out in the street. Early the next morning they would awake and begin their journey to Yerushalayim accompanied with musical instruments. They would play their music the entire way. Upon their arrival, the craftsmen in Yerushalayim stopped their work to welcome them. The villagers would then continue their march to the Bais Hamikdosh with their music playing. Such was the procession of the Bikurim. Why all this fanfare, the likes of it is not seen by other mitzvos?
Bikurim was the mitzvah designed specifically for us to demonstrate our hakaras hatov, our gratitude to HaShem for all the good that He showers upon us. Beginning with the gift of the Land of Israel and His choice of us to be His people and all of Jewish history from its origin. Gratitude is the cement that bonds relationships and Bikurim is the mitzvah that bonds us to HaShem. Gratitude to Him is our national passion and Bikurim was the national expression of that gratitude. It is no wonder why it was accorded the elabo-rate procession and celebration.
At the dedication of Arugas Habosem, Rabbi Taub’s shul and mikvah, this week I heard the following story.
There was a great Chassidic Rebbe who was known to all for his magnificent musical abilities. When asked why such a great tzadik should spend his time on music while he could be doing more sig-nificant forms of serving HaShem, he responded with the following story.
There was a fellow in town who was known for his incredible voice and he enjoyed entertaining guests. One day he invited all his townsmen and their families and asked them to bring their relatives as well for a grand dinner. He would be singing and they would enjoy a festive meal. The food was exquisite and there was plenty of it. When the plates were emptied waiters came out to refill them with more. The drinks flowed with no end. Finally, after many hours the party ended. The caterer approached the host with the bill of
$50,000. The host told him that he simply has no money. When the caterer told him that he would have to report him to the police he responded that it would not help because he simply has no money.
Even after the threat of being beat up by thugs, the host responded with the same unswerving response that he still has no money. Finally, the caterer began to cry “How am I going to pay the costs that I incurred?” With that, the host changed his response. “I will come every evening for a year and sing outside your cafe. People will be attracted, and you will develop a large clientele. Sure enough, he began singing on the street in front of the cafe and people congregated as the cafe owner sold his sandwiches and invited streams of people into his cafe.
The Rebbe told his student, I am that singer. HaShem has blessed me with so much. Much, much more than I than anything I can repay Him. So what can I do for Him? I am able to sing. People come to listen and are inspired to come pray in His Home, to learn in His Home, to do His mitzvos and care for His children.
The mitzvah of Bikurim went far beyond expressing the gratitude of the landowners, it was an infectious expression whose influence impacted all who participated.
May the day come soon when all of us will participate in this great mitzvah.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind