By: Rabbi Chaim Yeshaya Freeman
The Excitement of Beginning and the Satisfaction of Completion
The parsha begins with the mitzvos that apply when Klal Yisroel enters Eretz Yisroel. The Torah then focuses on two mitzvos: Bikurim and Vidui Maaser. Bikurim requires a person to bring his first fruits to the Beis Hamikdash. Along with the fruits, he recites a passage describing the miracles of Yetzias Mitzrayim and thanking Hashem for bringing us into Eretz Yisroel. The Torah then discusses Vidui Maaser. At the end of the third year of the Shemitah cycle, a person declares that he properly distributed his tithes to the Kohanim, Leviim, and the poor.
There is an obvious question. There are many mitzvos that Klal Yisroel must observe upon entering Eretz Yisroel. Why does the Torah choose to highlight these two?
There is another striking difference between them. The Mishnah (Bikurim 3:3) describes the tremendous simcha surrounding the bringing of Bikurim. An ox decorated with olive leaves and gold would lead the procession. People would play flutes as they traveled to Yerushalayim. When they reached the Beis Hamikdash, people would stand in their honor. Vidui Maaser is very different. It is a serious declaration in which a person looks back over three years and confirms that he fulfilled all his obligations properly. Why is one mitzvah celebrated with such excitement while the other has such a serious tone?
I heard a beautiful explanation from Rav Yisroel Reisman. The Torah is highlighting the first and last stages of the farming process. Bikurim represents the beginning. Vidui Maaser represents the completion. This teaches us an important lesson about motivation. When we begin something new, we are naturally excited. There is energy and enthusiasm. We have a goal in front of us and we are eager to get started. But that excitement does not last forever. As time passes, the initial enthusiasm fades. We then need a different source of motivation. We need the satisfaction of accomplishment. We need to be able to look back and say, "I stayed committed. I followed through. I accomplished what I set out to do."
We see this in many areas of life. When a person gets married, there is tremendous excitement at the beginning. But a successful marriage cannot be built on that excitement alone. Over time, the motivation comes from the satisfaction of building a strong relationship and remaining committed. The same is true when starting a business or taking on a major goal. The initial excitement eventually fades. What keeps a person going is the knowledge that he is making progress and staying true to his goals.
This explains the difference between Bikurim and Vidui Maaser. Bikurim comes at the beginning. The first fruits represent the excitement of seeing the results of one's efforts. Chazal therefore created a tremendous celebration around the mitzvah. Vidui Maaser comes after three years. By then, the excitement of the beginning is gone. What matters now is the feeling of accomplishment. The person can look back and know that he fulfilled his responsibilities and remained committed.
This is especially relevant as we enter Elul. Elul is both an ending and a beginning. We are coming to the end of the year. We should look back and appreciate what we accomplished. That sense of achievement can give us the strength to continue. At the same time, we are preparing to begin a new year. We need the excitement of Bikurim. We need to approach the coming year with enthusiasm and a desire to grow.
The Torah is teaching us that both are necessary. We need the excitement that gets us started and the satisfaction that keeps us going. As we enter the new year, may we look back with a sense of accomplishment and look forward with renewed excitement.
Taken from the Kollel Avreichim Hollywood
