הביכורים, הנשמה הטהורה, וסוד השופר
As the holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach, our hearts and minds turn towards introspection and Teshuvah. We seek to understand our place in the world and to see the hand of the Creator more clearly in our lives. In a recent Shiur, we explored a profound teaching from Parashat Ki Tavo that provides the key to unlocking this deeper perspective.
The Lesson of a Single Fig
The Torah commands us in this week’s portion to celebrate the Bikkurim—the first fruits. When a farmer would see the very first fig of the season begin to ripen on his tree, he was commanded to mark it with a thread. This single fruit, though small in value, was to be brought to Jerusalem with immense joy, music, and ceremony as an offering to Hashem.
The Sages ask a powerful question: Why such celebration for one small fruit? The answer reveals a fundamental principle of faith. That first fig is not just a fruit; it is the culmination of a divine promise. It represents the end of a long and arduous journey: the exodus from Egypt, forty years in the desert, the conquest of the Land, and the settling of the tribes. To see that fruit is to see the entire hand of history and the fulfillment of God’s word.
So too in our lives. We are taught not to see events as isolated occurrences. The person we meet, the opportunity that arises, the challenge we face—these are not coincidences. They are the “first fruit” of a long chain of divine causes and effects. The one who learns to see with depth, to look past the surface, sanctifies every moment and understands that nothing is trivial.
Divine Providence: A Personal Story
This principle was made manifest to us in a remarkable way. We recently had the great merit of dedicating a Sefer Torah in memory of the righteous Yaakov ben Yehoshua Rimokh, z”l. When we first committed to this holy project months ago, we left the timing entirely in the hands of Heaven.
The day that was ultimately chosen was precisely seventeen years, to the day, from when we first met Reb Yaakov and his wonderful family. And what was that day seventeen years ago? It was the Hilulah (anniversary of passing) of the holy Ben Ish Chai. For the dedication to fall on this exact same day after so many years is not by chance. It is the work of the Elat Ha’Elot v’Sibat Ha’Sibot—the Cause of all causes and the Reason for all reasons. It is a reminder that Hashem orchestrates every detail with loving precision.
The Pure Soul and the Secret of the Shofar
As we prepare for the Day of Judgment, we must connect to the purest part of ourselves: the Neshama (soul). The soul is a pure spark of the divine, given to us directly from beneath the Throne of Glory. No matter what a person does, the soul itself remains eternally pure. The Torah and Mitzvot are the means by which we cleanse the vessel—our body and our life—to allow that soul’s light to shine brightly.
The sound that awakens this deep, inner soul is the blast of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Yet, our Sages reveal a shocking secret: the pattern of our holiest sounds—Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah—is learned from the agonizing cries of the mother of Sisera, a wicked general and enemy of Israel. How can our call to God come from such an impure source?
Herein lies one of the deepest secrets of creation. The tears of Sisera’s mother were not just for her son’s defeat. On a mystical level, her soul sensed that from this moment, a great holiness was being born into the world. Through the righteous act of Yael, who defeated Sisera, the spark was redeemed that would eventually become the soul of the holy Tanna, Rabbi Akiva.
From the cries of an enemy came the sound of our repentance. From a moment of darkness came the light of Torah for all future generations. This teaches us that Hashem’s salvation can come from the most unexpected places, and that we must never lose hope. The sound of the Shofar is a testament to the power of transformation—the power to turn weeping into a call for redemption.
May we all be blessed in these auspicious days to see the depth in every detail, to recognize the divine plan in our lives, and to hear the call of the Shofar as an awakening for our pure souls. Through Teshuvah, Tefillah, and Tzedakah, may we overturn any harsh decrees and be written and sealed in the Book of Life for a year of health, blessing, and peace.
Amen.
