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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

Parashat Ki Tavo: Joy is a religious obligation, not a luxury

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • The weekly Torah portion, Ki Tavo, emphasizes joy as a religious obligation, particularly when bringing first fruits to the Temple.
  • This joy should be expressed through gratitude and generosity, including sharing with the poor.
  • The Torah links serving God with joy to avoiding future troubles, highlighting its importance in one's relationship with the divine.

The weekly Torah portion, Ki Tavo, opens with a profound commandment: to rejoice. This instruction is presented in the context of bringing the first fruits, the bikkurim, to the Temple. The verse states, "And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given you and your household..." This joy is not merely an internal feeling but an outward expression, a sharing of the goodness received with others, including the Levite and the stranger.

And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given you and your household, you, the Levite, and the stranger who is in your midst

— Deuteronomy 26:11The foundational verse commanding rejoicing in God's blessings.

This principle extends to the mitzvah of ma’aser ani, the tithe for the poor. During specific years of the shemittah cycle, a tenth of produce must be given to the poor. The Torah emphasizes not just the act of giving but the spirit in which it is done. As Rashi quotes from the Mishnah, fulfilling this mitzvah with joy demonstrates a sincere heart and a genuine love for the Creator.

The difference between giving out of obligation and giving out of joy is significant. The latter reveals a deeper connection to God, one based on absolute faith rather than a transactional relationship. It signifies a belief that fulfilling God's will, even when it involves giving away one's hard-earned produce, ultimately leads to greater good.

I have done everything that You commanded me – I rejoiced and brought joy through it

— Mishnah, Ma’aser Sheni 5:12 (quoted by Rashi)Illustrating the importance of joyful fulfillment in religious obligations.

This emphasis on joy is further underscored later in the parasha. After detailing numerous curses for not observing God's commandments, the Torah surprisingly identifies a lack of joy as a root cause of troubles: "because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and with a glad heart, out of the abundance of everything." This suggests that a joyful heart is fundamental to a strong and faithful relationship with God, and its absence can lead to hardship.

because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and with a glad heart, out of the abundance of everything

— Deuteronomy 28:47Identifying the lack of joy as a cause for divine punishment.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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