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Daily Chizuk #1632
Weekly Parasha
Giving Back to Hashem: Recognizing the Source of Your Success
Parashat Chukat: Giving Back to Hashem: Recognizing the Source of Our Success
The Torah tells us in this week's parashah, Chukat, that the nation of Kena'an waged war against Bnei Yisrael. Rashi explains that they weren't actually Kena'anim, but Amalekim who disguised themselves as Kena'anim. Their goal was that when the Jews would pray to Hashem to save them from Kena'an, their prayers would go unanswered—because in reality, the attackers were Amalek.
The next pasuk says that the Jews made a neder: if Hashem would help them succeed in the war, they would donate all the spoils to Him. And indeed, the next pasuk states:
וַיִּשְׁמַע ה׳ בְּקוֹל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־הַכְּנַעֲנִי וַיַּחֲרֵם אֶתְהֶם וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶם וַיִּקְרָא שֵׁם־הַמָּקוֹם חָרְמָהHashem heard their voice, gave them victory, and they fulfilled their promise by dedicating everything to Him.
We find a similar idea with Yaakov Avinu when he fled from Esav. He made vows to Hashem in the merit of being protected. Although in general Chazal discourage making nederim, they allow it in times of distress. The Gemara in Masechet Eruvin (64a) learns from the vow the Jews made regarding their war against Amalek the tremendous power of using one's money for mitzvot in order to receive Hashem's extra mercy.
The Gemara explains that if a convert passes away without any heirs, his possessions become ownerless. If someone acquires them and suddenly becomes wealthy, that wealth is at risk due to ayin hara. But if he uses part of it for a mitzvah, like buying a sefer Torah, the mitzvah protects the rest of the wealth.
The Me'iri writes similarly: people with yirat shamayim constantly reflect that their success comes only from Hashem. That awareness makes them enthusiastic to use what they have in Hashem's service.
May we always remember that all we have and achieve is from Hashem, and may our recognition fill us with sincere hakarat ha-tov that drives us to give back with open hearts.
Shabbat Shalom!
The Torah tells us in this week's parashah, Chukat, that the nation of Kena'an waged war against Bnei Yisrael. Rashi explains that they weren't actually Kena'anim, but Amalekim who disguised themselves as Kena'anim. Their goal was that when the Jews would pray to Hashem to save them from Kena'an, their prayers would go unanswered—because in reality, the attackers were Amalek.
The next pasuk says that the Jews made a neder: if Hashem would help them succeed in the war, they would donate all the spoils to Him. And indeed, the next pasuk states:
וַיִּשְׁמַע ה׳ בְּקוֹל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־הַכְּנַעֲנִי וַיַּחֲרֵם אֶתְהֶם וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶם וַיִּקְרָא שֵׁם־הַמָּקוֹם חָרְמָהHashem heard their voice, gave them victory, and they fulfilled their promise by dedicating everything to Him.
We find a similar idea with Yaakov Avinu when he fled from Esav. He made vows to Hashem in the merit of being protected. Although in general Chazal discourage making nederim, they allow it in times of distress. The Gemara in Masechet Eruvin (64a) learns from the vow the Jews made regarding their war against Amalek the tremendous power of using one's money for mitzvot in order to receive Hashem's extra mercy.
The Gemara explains that if a convert passes away without any heirs, his possessions become ownerless. If someone acquires them and suddenly becomes wealthy, that wealth is at risk due to ayin hara. But if he uses part of it for a mitzvah, like buying a sefer Torah, the mitzvah protects the rest of the wealth.
The Me'iri writes similarly: people with yirat shamayim constantly reflect that their success comes only from Hashem. That awareness makes them enthusiastic to use what they have in Hashem's service.
May we always remember that all we have and achieve is from Hashem, and may our recognition fill us with sincere hakarat ha-tov that drives us to give back with open hearts.
Shabbat Shalom!
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