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Why do people struggle with happiness even when they have everything? The mitzvah (מצוה) of Bikkurim reveals that humans resist acknowledging their dependence on others, leading to psychological "kefui tov" - blocking out sources of kindness to preserve feelings of independence. True joy emerges only when we recognize God as the ultimate source of our blessings.
This shiur delves into the profound psychological and spiritual reasons behind human unhappiness, using the mitzvah (מצוה) of Bikkurim as a lens to understand our relationship with gratitude and joy. The speaker begins by examining the Torah (תורה)'s rebuke in Parshas Ki Savo: "You did not serve Hashem (ה׳) your God with joy and goodness of heart despite having everything (me'rov kol)." This paradox - having everything yet lacking happiness - forms the central question of the lecture. The analysis extends to King Dovid's words in Tehillim: "Only good and kindness shall pursue me," questioning why the word "rodef" (pursue/chase) suggests we flee from good things. The speaker argues that humans have a fundamental discomfort with receiving gifts and feeling indebted to others, which threatens our sense of independence.
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Why does the Midrash connect Pharaoh's expulsion of the Jews to the mitzvah of shiluach hakan? The shiur develops a chiddush that Pharaoh's sin wasn't only drowning the children, but the insensitivity of expelling the parents afterward. The deeper analysis reveals that Pharaoh may have valued the Jews greatly and wanted to control them—making his expulsion an act of tremendous cruelty, not liberation.
Why does Moshe respond to the splitting of the sea with shirah rather than praise or thanksgiving? Rashi's use of "al libo" reveals that shirah is an emotional expression—a response of love to love. When Hashem shows personal care, the only adequate response is "I love You too," not mere gratitude or praise, and this principle applies to all relationships.
Parshas Ki Savo, Devarim 28:47
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