How Does the Thanksgiving Offering Pertain to our Times?

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Parashat Tzav

How Does the Thanksgiving Offering Pertain to our Times? 

How Could I Prepare for My Husband’s Birthday, Shabbat, and Purim Without My Faithful Kitchen Aid? 

Last week I was busy preparing my husband’s annual decorated birthday cake as well as baking cookies, planning Purim gifts, and making dips and salads for Shabbat. We were looking forward to hosting our newly married son and sweet daughter-in-law together with a married alumna student and her husband. Amid all this, my beloved Kenwood Kitchen Chef – that had been faithful to me since my wedding 43 years ago – finally had its last breakdown. After having been repaired several times both by a professional Kenwood-fix-it-man in Jerusalem and by my handy husband, we all knew that this time it was its last stroke. Oy, what should I do now? How could I manage my multiple chores timely without my special Kenwood mixer and eggbeater? As my husband was on an errand in the nearby Kibbutz K’far Etzion, I quickly called him. “Could you please buy me a new Kenwood in the appliance store?”  I cried.  My husband wasn’t pleased with this extra errand at this time and with the prospect of paying a lot more buying the Kenwood locally, so he responded. “No, sorry these things we need to buy online.”  I knew he was right that it was more expensive to buy locally than online but it was now I needed the Kitchen chef more than ever. I was contemplating what to do and from whom I might be able to borrow, when my husband entered with a huge box! “But you said you weren’t going to buy it now!” I exclaimed jubilantly. “I changed my mind,” said my husband with a kiss. “I love you!” I was overjoyed but there was only one problem: All the metal parts needed to go into the Mikvah before the Kenwood was ready for use. This was not a job I could fit into that hectic Thursday afternoon prior to Purim and Shabbat, and I needed to get going with the baking right away. So, my dear husband who had a busy day behind him and no less of a demanding afternoon ahead agreed to take the Kenwood parts to the mikvah on the spot. Needless to say, I was so grateful. When I told this story to a student, she asked if I recited the blessing “…Shehecheyanu…” usually said over receiving something new such as a new fruit and a new piece of clothing, I responded “No!” I recited a different bracha. 

 

Which Blessing Do You Say on Receiving a New Item that Benefits You and Others? 

The Torah instructs us to recite several blessings and prayers of gratitude for various occasions. The Shehecheyanu blessing –which literally means “that we are alive” – is most renowned, for it perfectly sums up the mindset of appreciation. It is a statement of recognizing time and appreciating that we are alive at this moment. This blessing is intended to facilitate us in offering thanks for new and unusual experiences – such as the birth of a child, seeing a friend after a long time, tasting a fruit for the first time in the season, or wearing a new piece of clothing. It is also recited at the beginning of the celebration of many holidays, while lighting the holiday candles, and during Kiddush

 

The Shehecheyanu Blessing

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה הָשֵׁם אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה:

Baruch atah, Hashem Eloheinu, Melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiy’manu, v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to arrive at this moment.

 

The Shehecheyanu is recited upon:

• the performance of a seasonal mitzvah.
• eating a seasonal fruit for the first time that season.
• acquiring an important new garment or other item of significant value.
• even if the item is secondhand, the bracha is still said, providing that it gives you sufficient joy (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 223:3, 223:6).
• deriving significant benefits from a special event.
· Any new item like a car, furniture, household appliance, etc. which accrues benefit for both yourself and others.
· Upon drinking new wine after having drunk a different type of wine. As long as:
· The new wine is not at all inferior to the original wine (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 175:2).
· The original wine is not finished (Mishnah Berurah 175:3).

While elucidating all this to my student, I explained, “Nevertheless, I didn’t recite Shehecheyanu for my new Kenwood, because Shehecheyanu is said when the benefit of the new item is only for yourself.” (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 223:3). “Although it is mostly me who will be using this kitchen aid, I plan to utilize it for makingtreats that will benefit many others!” “But then what blessing did you say?” asked my student bewildered. “I recited Hatov v’hametiv!” I replied, “Because, the bracha Hatov v’hametiv is recited when the item benefits both yourself and others (for example when you are married and purchase a new household appliance) as it states in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 223:5, with Mishnah Berurah 19. “Although this blessing is not as well-known as shehecheyanu it is not less important on the contrary” I added. 

 

The Hatov V’hametiv Blessing

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה הָשֵׁם אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵיטִיב:

Baruch atah, Hashem Eloheinu, Melech ha’olam, ha-tov v’hameytiv.

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who is good and bestows good.

 

Hatov V’hametiv is recited upon:

· At least two people will drink from both wines (Orach Chayim 175:4). 

With the blessing Hatov v’hameitiv we are not only expressing gratitude to G-d for the good we received, but also for the opportunity to emulate G-d by bestowing good towards others. 

 

What is the Substitute for Bringing a Thanksgiving Offering Nowadays? 

ספר ויקרא פרק ז פסוק יא 

וְזֹאת תּוֹרַת זֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים אֲשֶׁר יַקְרִיב לַהָשֵׁם: (יב) אִם עַל תּוֹדָה יַקְרִיבֶנּוּ וְהִקְרִיב עַל זֶבַח הַתּוֹדָה חַלּוֹת מַצּוֹת בְּלוּלֹת בַּשֶּׁמֶן וּרְקִיקֵי מַצּוֹת מְשֻׁחִים בַּשָּׁמֶן וְסֹלֶת מֻרְבֶּכֶת חַלֹּת בְּלוּלֹת בַּשָּׁמֶן: (יג) עַל חַלֹּת לֶחֶם חָמֵץ יַקְרִיב קָרְבָּנוֹ עַל זֶבַח תּוֹדַת שְׁלָמָיו:

“This is the law of the peace offering, which he shall bring to Hashem. If he is bringing it as a thanksgiving offering, he shall offer, along with the thanksgiving offering unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and scalded flour mixed with oil. Along with loaves of leavened bread, he shall bring his offering along with his thanksgiving peace offering” (Vayikra 7:11-13).

 

Parashat Tzav includes the instructions for bringing a Korban Todah, (the thanksgiving offering). This sacrifice was brought as an offering of gratitude for having traveled overseas; for having traveled through the desert; being released from prisonand healed of an illness (Babylonian Talmud, Berachot 54b). In Temple times, we brought this Korban Todah to show ourappreciation to Gd for saving us from such dangers. Although we haven’t been able to bring the thanksgiving sacrifice for nearly two thousand years, we still practice reciting the Hagomel blessing thanking Hashem for saving us through the abovementioned situations. This blessing is recited in the synagogue, during the Torah reading, by one who has survived any of the hazardous situations enumerated in the Talmud based on Tehillim 107. I usually make a point of going to the Beit Knesset on the Shabbat following any overseas trip, as even with sophisticated technology – due to hijacking, bloodthirsty, fanatic Muslims – we can never take for granted to return safely from traveling abroad. After having survived substantial danger we make this public affirmation of thanks because when we’ve lost nearly everything, we know how much we must be grateful for, and we wish to openly show our appreciation to Hashem for His gifts and miracles.

 

The Hagomel Blessing

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה הָשֵׁם אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב:

Baruch atah, Hashem Eloheinu, Melech ha’olam hagomel l’chayavim tovot shegemalani kol tov.

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who rewards the undeserving with goodness, and who has rewarded me with goodness.

 

The person offering a korban todah would also bring forty loaves of bread to the Temple. Afterwards the meat and bread would be taken home and eaten. The Torah cautions that “It shall be eaten on the day it is offered up; one must not leave any of it over to the next morning” (Vayikra 7:15). How could one person, or even his extended family consume such an amount of food in such a short time? They would need to invite their friends and neighbors to join their Thanksgiving meal. Inviting others over to share in your bounty demonstrates the Jewish attitude to gratitude. When we have been personally blessed, we seek to share our blessings with our loved ones, friends, and community. We will rejoice in telling our miracle story of protection from a dangerous situation and rejoicing together with everyone in Gd’s blessings. (Rabbi Elisha Greenbaum, Todah, Showing Gratitude).

 

During Temple times the Leviim would play and sing Tehillim 100 to accompany the Korban Todah, which opens with “A song for a thanksgiving offering. Call out to Hashem, everyone on earth (Tehillim 100:1). As our tefilah is instituted in place of the sacrifices, this Tehillim is incorporated into our daily prayer service, and it has become our practice to stand while reciting it. Why does the mizmor begin with our personal gratitude, then go on to say, “Call out to Hashem everyone on earth?” Why must the inhabitants of the entire earth join in gratitude? Why does the whole world have to express gratitude because something good happened to one individual? Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l answered this question with a story: One day after davening in B’nei Brak, one of the congregants took out a tablecloth and spread it on the table. He then placed cake and whiskey on the table and invited everyone in the synagogue to share in his good fortune. Theday before he had been crossing the highway and was hit by a car. He was thrown into the air and landed on his side, but, other than a few slight bruises and a soiled suit, he was fine. He provided cake and whiskey so that the participants would all have a l’chaim in honor of the miracle he had experienced. The next day, following Shacharit, another shul member took out a small tablecloth, placed it on a table, and proceeded to place cake and whiskey on the table. He invited everyone to share. “What happened to you?” they asked. “Were you alsohit by a car?” “No,” he answered. “Nothing of the sort. It is just that yesterday when I heard that fellow relate how he miraculously escaped serious injury, it dawned on me that I have been crossing that highway for the last 20 years, at the same place – and nothing has ever happened to me! Is that not a miracle? I, therefore, want to thank Hashem publicly for all His graciousness to me!” Rav Chaim explained that Mizmor l’Torah refers to our personal deliverance from ‘what might have been.’ Seeing another person pay gratitude to Hashem should spur us to introspect and realize how much we, too, owe Hashem. True, we may not have experienced any misfortune, but that is a miracle in itself!” We cannot take our good fortune for granted. It is all a gift from Above (Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, Bitter Herbs, Grateful People).

                                    

           

Gratitude Focus for the Week of Parashat Tzav –

Some Tips for How to Allow Others to Give by Receiving

Having been saved from danger is conducive to heartfelt prayer and expressions of gratitude, praising Hashem for the breath of life and acknowledging His role as the Source of all existence. After surviving dangerous situations, we are reminded to acknowledge the continuous flow of blessings bestowed upon us and appreciate the wonders of creation. By expressing gratitude, we shift our focus from personal concerns to the awe-inspiring majesty of Hashem’s creation. Let us take the opportunity at this time to acknowledge and thank Hashem for His boundless blessings and the beauty that surrounds us.
 

• Recite Nishmat Kol Chai Daily – This prayer has the power to deepen our connection with Hashem and cultivate a constant sense of gratitude. It reflects a deep appreciation for the wonders of creation, from the celestial realms to the intricate workings of nature. Reciting Nishmat Kol Chai allows us to elevate our consciousness and align ourselves with the divine presence. It encourages a mindset of appreciation and humility, recognizing that every breath is a gift from Hashem. We can keep others in mind for a blessing or a healing as well. It is a powerful segula bringing great blessing to anyone who recites it at any time. People in need of a livelihood, marriage, children, health and/or healing, protection from danger, and success in all endeavors can pray for these things while saying Nishmat Kol Chai. By incorporating this prayer into our daily routine, we can give thanks for the miracles and blessings that surround us each day

• Gather Ten Women to Recite Nishmat Kol Chai Together– Ultimately, Nishmat Kol Chai serves as a powerful tool for spiritual connection and a means to express our gratitude to Hashem. The prayer itself is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and reflects a deep appreciation for the wonders of creation, from the celestial realms to the intricate workings of nature. By publicly thanking Hashem for our personal miracles, we share the awareness of Hashem’s supervision with those present and inspire them to notice the constant miracles Hashem performs for them as well. Any person who facilitates or enables the public to do a mitzvah is doing the meta mitzvah of Zikui HaRabim, (giving merit to the many). Our sages tell us that the blessing that accrues from Zikui HaRabim is immeasurable and continues throughout the generations until eternity for the individual and their descendants. Through the profound words of the Nishmat Kol Chai, we are reminded to pause, reflect, and infuse our lives with a sense of purpose, reverence, and gratitude.

• Make a Seudat Hodaya – Invite your friends over to celebrate with you how Hashem saved you from imminent danger. When we are saved from danger, we must open ourselves to the message G-d has for us. He did want us saved, but He also wanted us to realize just how precious and precarious life is, and how much we owe our lives to Hashem. Thus, a seudat hoda’ah is as much a time for soul-searching as for celebration – recognizing that G-d does want us to live, but He wants us to live up to the wonderful gift of life He has granted us.

• Set Aside Money for Tzedakkah (Charity) to Help the Public – If you were saved from possible casualty declare that your tzedakkah should be considered as spending money on a Korban Todah. On every anniversary of your personal miracle find a special setting to thank Hashem, be happy, and tell His praises (Mishna Berura 218:32).