Page 51 - HaMizrachi #26 Tu Bishvat USA 2021

TU BISHVAT READING

Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy

The Baker’s

Secret

fter listing the seven fruits of (Shabbat 74b). One might assume your G-d, for He is the one who
Israel, the Torah (Devarim 8:9– that fruits, created entirely by G-d, gives you strength to make wealth”
A10) describes Israel as “a Land are holier than bread. Yet it is the (Devarim 8:18).
where you will eat bread without pov- very fact that bread requires human
erty – you will lack nothing there… And involvement that leads to its elevated We are therefore required to refocus
you shall eat and you shall be satisfied sanctity. our minds on G-d as the source of all
and you shall bless the L-rd your G-d for goodness, and to acknowledge His
the good Land which He has given you.” Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (Derashot role. Through the Grace after Meals,
said specifically after eating human-

From here the Talmud (Berachot 48b) HaRav p. 167) explains that in the
learns that whenever one eats a meal process of bread making, where a made bread, the Torah is reminding us
of the ultimate Creator: “Lest you eat
person plays such a critical role, he or
with bread and is sated, one is required she is essentially re-creating Creation. and become satisfied and you build
to say Grace after Meals. This raises a This is the task of humankind – to good houses and settle… And you
number of questions. partner with G-d as a co-creator, as shall say in your heart, ‘my strength
First, it is understandable for the the Torah (Bereishit 1:28) states, “Fill and the might of my hand made me all
Infinite G-d, as the source of all the earth and master it.” Bread is the this wealth’” (Devarim 8:12, 17).
blessing, to bless people – but how is it symbol of our mission in life – to
possible for finite people to bless G-d? take that which G-d gives us, whether We must realize the power of our
Thanking and acknowledging seem to it is raw wheat or raw talent, and to involvement in partnering with G-d
be within the capability of humans – “master it,” to develop it into much and the transcendental sanctity that
but to bless implies filling a void. What more. It is for this reason that bread, this can create. At the same time,
could G-d possibly lack? reflecting our partnership with G-d, we must never forget the Divine
attains the greatest level of holiness. source; our re-creations are based
Second, why does the Grace Through the act of re-creating with upon the Creator’s creations. Tu
after Meals apply only to bread? that which G-d created, we bless G-d. BiShvat helps us focus on G-d-given
Immediately prior to this verse, the fruits of the Land so we can renew
Torah describes the Land in relation So why do we recite Grace after Meals our appreciation that ultimately all
to the seven species. Surely they, too, after eating bread and not other foods? comes from G-d. And then we bless,
require a blessing of such significance? While it is obvious that the success because making blessings on life is our
of crops is ultimately up to G-d, it opportunity to transform life into the
Fruits and vegetables are entirely can be more difficult to notice G-d’s ultimate blessing.
natural and almost wholly dependent role in the creation of human-made
on factors external to human control. products. Thus, one may conclude
Their growth and quality are dictated that bread is the product of humanity
by the nutrients in the ground and the alone. The same extends to all of
rain from the heavens. In contrast, our accomplishments. While there
bread cannot grow on its own. It takes may be no atheist in a foxhole, the
a long process involving “sowing, opposite is also often true; one forgets
plowing, reaping, binding sheaves, to acknowledge G-d when things are
threshing, winnowing, selecting, going well. As the Torah commands: Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy is a popular teacher,
grinding, sifting, kneading and baking” “And you shall remember the L-rd speaker and writer.

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