Fw: Dvar Torah from the Rosh HaYeshiva - Parshas Ki Savo – 5785

Sent from AOL on Android

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: "Rabbi Moshe Revah" <htcnews-htc.edu@shared1.ccsend.com>

To: "mates57564@aol.com" <mates57564@aol.com>

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Sep 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM

Subject: Dvar Torah from the Rosh HaYeshiva - Parshas Ki Savo – 5785

Parshas Ki Savo – 5785

Dear Yeshiva Family: This week's parsha opens with the mitzvah of bikkurim—the command to bring the first fruits to Yerushalayim. At its core, this mitzvah is about expressing gratitude to Hashem for the harvest of the year. But it is not enough to simply deliver the fruits; the Torah requires us to recite a declaration of thanks. By verbalizing our gratitude, we are compelled to pause, reflect, and acknowledge how deeply indebted we are to Hashem. Too often, when life feels unfair or we sense that Hashem has withheld something from us, what we are really experiencing is not injustice but a lapse in gratitude. Hashem owes us nothing. In truth, this world is only a corridor leading to the next, and all that we receive here—every blessing, every success—is purely a gift from His kindness. Rabbeinu Bechaya says and this is the quote for the week "The intent of the [remembering going down to Mitzrayim in small number, and surviving the bondage of Egypt during the recital of this expression of thanks] is that a person is obligated to place upon his heart, at the time of his exaltation and tranquility, the time of his decline and lowliness that he once experienced. And so Koheles said (Koheles 7:14): "On a day of good, be in good, and on a day of evil, see." Its explanation is: On a day of good, look upon the day of evil. This is so that he will reflect upon the advantage that he now has, and then he will give thanks for it to the Name, may He be exalted, Who is good and Who bestows goodness upon him. Part of true recognition is remembering where you once were. In my office I keep a small sign that reads: "I still remember praying for the things I have now." That perspective is powerful. Gratitude deepens when we reflect on what life was like before our prayers were answered, before those blessings arrived. This awareness transforms "thank You" from a perfunctory phrase into something heartfelt and joyful. And living in Hashem's world, guided by His mitzvos, is itself the first and greatest expression of thanks we can give Him.  Sometimes people feel an overwhelming debt of gratitude to Hashem. Perhaps they were spared from a car accident, or their long-awaited prayers were answered, and they wonder: How can I possibly thank Hashem? Should I sponsor a large kiddush in shul? Should I make a public celebration? My usual first response is much simpler: say Modim with true kavanah. Concentrate, and verbalize a sincere thank You. A heartfelt expression of gratitude to Hashem strengthens the bond between us and Him far more than a grand gesture ever could. But for that gratitude to last, it helps to create a reminder—something that will bring you back to those days when what you now have was only a dream. That sign in my office serves that purpose for me. A couple who long awaited children and were finally blessed might choose a photograph of themselves at a family simcha, when their prayers had not yet been answered and the contrast was especially sharp. Seeing that picture, even now when they are getting up in the middle of the night for the third time for the kids they long waited for, can spark a fresh appreciation for the priceless gift of children. In this way, gratitude becomes not just a passing emotion but a sustained flame. Have a great Shabbos! Rabbi Moshe Revah Rosh HaYeshiva mrevah2@touro.edu HTC  Hebrew Theological College is a member of Touro University and a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community

Hebrew Theological College | 7135 N. Carpenter Road | Skokie, IL 60077 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice