As we try to live life to the fullest, I remember a wise philosopher who said, "While setting goals for the future is important, make sure you give yourself a chance to enjoy your life as it is. Be grateful for each day and take the time to enjoy the life you are living right now".
Yes, we need to enjoy the moment. We are, too often, so anxious ridden that life just seems to pass us by.
This, very thought, relates to the Mitzvah of Bekurim,which we read about in this week's Sedrah
Ki Tavo.
The Torah relates, “When you will come to the land of Israel, you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the land , which Hashem gives to you and you shall bring them to the Beit Hamikdash, as an offering to G-D".
The Torah concludes the Mitzvah of Bekurim with the following words, ושמחת בכל הטוב אשר נתן לך ה׳ אלוקיך ולביתך .... "You shall rejoice in all the good which Hashem your G-D has given to you and your household".
Bekurim, though not brought in our day and age, has a lesson for all time which needs to become an integral part of our way of life.
The Mitzvah of Bekurim teaches us that before we enjoy the Blessings which Hashem has bestowed upon us, we must first give back to G-D what belongs to Him. In a sense Bekurim, of today, can be seen as a means of Tzedakah, of giving back to Hashem that which He gives to us, through helping others, and being empathetic to the less fortunate, and making the lives of others more comfortable and less anxious ridden.
However, that is only a part of it. The Torah wants us to rejoice in our lot, with our family and friends. The message of Bekurim is loud and clear- ושמחת, be happy, rejoice, for all that we have is a gift from G-D and in giving this gift to us He wants us to find happiness.
I was watching our grandchildren swim in the ocean as they were conquering the waves that were thrusting them to and fro and arriving safely on the shore. At that moment I realized that's what life is all about. There are so many times that we feel we are being thrown around by the many occurrences in our life, that with the help of G-D, we have learned to weather those storms and arrive safely to meet another glorious day.
At that point we are enjoined to remember the dictum, ושמחת בכל הטוב אשר נתן לך ה׳. With our Faith in Yahadut we will rejoice with the Blessings of Life, and recognize how fortunate and appreciative we truly are.
I remember a cute story regarding a teacher of the kindergarten class in a religious school, who, one day, brought a child to the principal because he had a theological problem. The principal remarked in jest to the teacher, “How, on earth, can a five year old have a theological problem?”
The principal, then, asked the youngster what the difficulty was and he replied, “My teacher said G-D is everywhere,” the principal nodded his head in agreement, “Well, said the youngster, I don't want G-D anywhere - I want G-D somewhere!!!”
Out of the mouths of babes.
He was referring to one of the fundamental problems of religion. Religion emphasizes the vast gulf that often separates man from his Creator. It is at that moment that we remember Bekurim, bringing us closer to G-D and to man and, all along, enjoying that journey as we rejoice with Hashem, and express our happiness and contentment with life.
As we approach the Yamim Noraim, we are encouraged to live a Spiritual Life, to partake of the Divine Blessings that will afford us a life of happiness and joy.
As the Psalmist says,
“עבדו את ה׳ בשמחה"
“Serve G-d with Joy, Come Before Him with Song”
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