The Joy of Gratitude
The Mitzvah of Birkurim calls us to bring a sampling of the first fruits of the harvest to the Temple in order to express our gratitude to HaShem. The Torah instructs us to fulfill this Mitzvah with joy: "And you shall rejoice in all the good that HaShem gave to you and to your family" (Devarim 27:11). We rejoice in HaShem, the Source of all Good, Who provides us with unbounded kindness. In addition, we are aware that these gifts are far more than we deserve. Rather, the blessings of HaShem that we receive are free gifts, given to us by the grace and kindness of HaShem.
Lesson: There are two keys to the joy of gratitude. Firstly, the recognition that all goodness comes to us from HaShem, the Source of Good. Secondly, HaShem blesses us with His goodness as a free gift.
Visualization: Envision Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai bringing his "first fruits" to the Temple. Sense the joy in his heart and imagine the light of joy shining on his countenance when he arrives. Reflect on the "fruits" of your life, the special gifts that HaShem grants you. Rejoice in, HaShem, the Source of Good. (Based on the commentary of the Ohr HaChaim to the Torah) To receive Salant Emails please send "request" to salantorg@gmail.com 
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L"N R' Yochanon Mordecai ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Yehudah Yoseph
Refuah Shleimah Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Etta Refuah Shleimah R' Pinchas ben Gittel Rus Refuah Shleimah R' Matisyahu Chaim ben Ettel Refuah Shleimah Miriam Chaya bas Sara Refuah Shleimah Avraham ben Faige Refuah Sheimah Dovid Noach ben Shoshana Raizel Refuah Shleimah Shaya ben Malkah
Refuah Shleimah Chaya Raizel bas Dena Refuah Shleimah Miriam bas Chana |
