Parashat Ki Tavo
„Just as there is great benefit for the repair of the soul in the confession of iniquities, so too there is benefit... in the confession of the commandments, so that one may rejoice in them in his heart and strengthen the paths of his life in the way of God.”From Ein Ayah, Ma'aser Sheni V, 15
In this week's parashah we are commanded regarding the "tithe confession," which is a confession, but over a positive thing that we did. Confession is usually understood as an admission of failure, of falling, of sin. Here we are commanded to confess and to declare aloud a good deed that we did: "I have removed the sacred from the house, and also given it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan, and to the widow..." Rav Kook explains the importance of this act, which gladdens a person and gives him a positive motive and engine for the continuation of doing good (and also for the war against evil). This is especially fitting in difficult times: that when we see success, we know how to give thanks for it, to shine a spotlight upon it, and to be strengthened as a result.
From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.