After one half hour, you realize this is the best day in the ocean you've had in years. Suddenly, without warning, the perfectly textured waves have become mush due to a change in wind direction. As Mickey Dora would say, "...the South wind blows no good at Malibu...."
Here is the test: How do you react? Fits of rage and disappointment or a shrug of the shoulders, saying, "Wow, we really lucked out for the few minutes we got it good." This week's Torah portion solves the riddle for us.
We are told that the first fruits are brought to Jerusalem and given to the Kohanim (priests) as a measure of thanks for all the bounty that has been bestowed on us, "...and you shall rejoice in every good thing...unto thee, and unto thy house...(verse 26-11)"
In contrast, our sages tell us that our gratitude for "every good thing" at the time of tithing the first fruits is not allowed to be marred by any thing that may lessen happiness and thankfulness. The Talmud goes as far as decreeing a punishment for any show of ingratitude (see Rambam, Hilchos Bikkurim). Indeed, one is forbidden from tithing if one is in mourning.
That half-full glass of milk- how do we see it?
A shabbat Shalom to all!
Nachum