Va'eira

                     Va'eira

Phsycologists' researches have shown that grateful people enjoy many advantages, from living happier lives to even sleeping better.

In this week's parsha we learn the greatness of gratitude.

Rashi (7;19) relates that Moshe told Aaron to hit the river (instead of doing it himself) because the river protected him (see: 2;3--Note: Moshe also had to show gratitude by the plagues of blood and frogs). The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah, 9;10) states that we learn from here how one must never harm anything from which he received benefit.

However, why must one show gratitude towards inanimate objects which have no choice or feelings?

Additionally, the Torah tells us (Devarim, 23;8) that we must not show hatred towards the Egyptians because we were strangers in their land. Rashi (23;8) explains the reason to be that they received us hospitably during our time of need. However, we were tormented by the Egyptians with back breaking labor! We were commanded to throw all our males into the river...Why must we show them gratitude?

Furthermore, the Torah tells us (Devarim, 23;4) that all descendants from Ammon and Moab are forbidden to enter our community. The Ramban (23;4) explains the reasoning to be that they failed to show gratitude towards us (for Ammon and Moab each stem from Lot who was saved by Avraham) by refusing to sell us food/water when we were passing through their land (Ammon) and by sending Bilaam to curse us (Moab). However, why does the Torah see it fit to forbid 2 nations from ever uniting with us simply due to lack of gratitude?

The Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 33) states that the foundation of the mitzvah to honor one's parents is to show gratitude. Later on the Sefer HaChinuch states that by performing this mitzvah one will come to recognize all that Hashem has done for him. Therefore, when one shows gratitude towards others they're recognizing that Hashem runs the world. Thus, when Moshe showed gratitude to the river he was really showing recognition of Hashem's mastery of the world. Additionally, I think we could answer that were obligated to show gratitude towards the Egyptians because were really showing gratitude towards Hashem. Furthermore, it could be that the reason were forbidden to unite with any desecendants from the nations of Amon and Moab simply because of their lack of gratitude because by not showing gratitude they were really denying Hashem's existence.

Now, the mitzvah of honoring one's parents was given when the nation of Israel were in the desert. At that time children didn't "need" their parents for it was Hashem who would feed them (the "man"), wash their clothes (through the Clouds of Glory), and take care of all their needs. Therefore, we see that one must show gratitude towards others even for things in which they didn't need.

The Gemara (Berachot, 7b) states that Leah was the first person ever to thank Hashem (after she gave birth to Yehuda--Bereishis, 29;35). However, how could it be that Avraham, Yitzchak, and all the other righteous men who lived before never thanked Hashem? The answer is that Leah recognized that she had received more than she deserved (for Yehuda was her 4th child and she knew there was only supposed to be 3 children per midwife) and therefore came to the realization that she had received a lot of things in which she didn't deserve. That is real gratitude. Many times people feel as though everything they're deserving of everything they have. However, that is not the case, for Hashem is constantly displaying mercy by giving things to people in which they don't deserve. Similarly, we should all realize that we constantly receive things from Hashem in which we don't deserve.

Rabbi Yochanan Zweig states that when one shows appreciation towards another he's really telling the recipient that he care about him. Similarly, the Gemara (Shabbat, 10b) states that when one gives a gift to his friend he's obligated to inform him that he was the giver. And why is that? The answer is to show him he cares. Many times people are scared to show appreciation for in essence they're saying "I owe you." However, when one shows appreciation towards another and gives him a sense that others care for him--he's really giving back more than he received!

Summary: Rashi (7;19) notes that Moshe had to tell Aaron to hit the Nile River and perform the plague in order to show gratitude. However, why should one show gratitude to inanimate objects? The Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 33) states that the foundation of the mitzvah to honor one's parents is showing gratitude, and through performing this mitzvah one will come to recognize all that Hashem has done for him. We therefore see that through gratitude one comes to recognize Hashem's greatness. Thus, by showing appreciation towards the river, Moshe was really praising Hashem for his mastery over this world. One must show gratitude even for things they don't need--for the commandment to honor one's parents was given in the desert when children didn't need their parents to feed them and provide all their needs (Hashem was doing it). Additionally, we should realize that we constantly receive things from Hashem in which we don't deserve and thank Him even for that in which we do deserve--for that is real gratitude and the reason why Leah is considered to be the first person to ever thank Hashem (Berachot, 7b). Lastly, Rabbi Zweig notes that by showing appreciation one shows the recipient that others care for him and therefore actually gives back more than he received!