“Take your first fruits, gather them, put them in a basket and offer them up beautifully.”
I love the modern way of reading this — that we show off our “harvest,” both real and metaphorical. We feel grateful and proud when things work out, when they grow and come to fruition.
וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֞ מֵֽרֵאשִׁ֣ית | כָּל־פְּרִ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֗ה
We are not always good at doing this. Yet, this willingness to share is part of the Middah (character trait) of generosity, which we will study this Shabbat as part of our journey through Musar during the month of Elul, leading us up to Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of Tishri.
Generosity stems from the root: נדִיוּת (Nedivut) — volunteering and free will.
“The heart gives freely when it realizes that it is not a separate and isolated entity, but rather belongs to a larger whole of community,” wrote Rabbi Eliezer Papo (1785–1826). I appreciate this reminder. Join us this Shabbat for Parashat Ki Tavo and an exploration of generosity and its place in our lives.
As well as Musar, we are reading and rereading Psalm 27 during Elul. I am revisiting verse five again and again this week: “One thing I ask is to dwell in God’s house forever.” Do listen to Aly Halpert’s beautiful setting of this psalm — who doesn’t wish for ease and comfort?
Our service for Selichot the last Saturday night of Elul before Rosh Hashanah will comprise late night digestifs, havdalah, re-acquainting ourselves with High Holy Day melodies and doing our own Heshbon HaNefesh: an inventory of the soul. Do join us on 5th September at 8:30pm.
Shabbat shalom,
Rebecca
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