Parashat Re’ey

Many years ago, shortly after my wife and I were married, we were taken to lunch by the father of a close friend, a financial planner. He offered up some wisdom of achieving success in marriage-PYF, pay yourself first. By paying yourself a set amount immediately you were sure to have the resources to accomplish your goals, and strengthen the relationship.
The Torah suggests this same method of strengthening our relationship with G-d, the mitzvah of taking ma’aser, a 10% tithe, taken directly ‘”off the top”. We learned about ma’aser rishon, the “first tithe”, back in Parashat Bechukotai (Lev. 27:30), and again in Parashat Korach (Num. 18:21), a 10% “tax” on the Israelites agricultural gains that would support the Levites materially, and in the administration of their sacred responsibilities. The Levites would in turn tithe 10% of their receipts to the kohanim (priests) for their support. This immediate support of the divine enterprise would bring us closer to the Almighty, by using our resources (b’chol mi’odecha…) in service to G-d.

In this week’s parsha, Re’ey, we learn of an intriguing mitzvah, that of ma’aser sheni, the “second tithe”.

Ma’aser Sheni is a commandment to PYF, pay yourself first, except this time you were to go on vacation and spend the money on yourself, your spouse, your family:
You shall tithe all the seed crop that the field gives forth, year by year. And you shall eat before the Lord, your G-d, in the place He chooses to establish His Name therein, the tithes of your grain, your wine, and your oil, and the firstborn of your cattle and of your sheep, so that you may learn to fear the Lord, your G-d, all the days. And if the way be too long for you, that you are unable to carry it, for the place which the Lord, your G-d, will choose to establish His Name therein, is too far from you, for the Lord, your G-d, will bless you. Then you shall turn it into money, and bind up the money in your hand, and you shall go to the place the Lord, your G-d, will choose. And you shall turn that money into whatever your soul desires; cattle, sheep, wine or whiskey, or whatever your soul desires, and you shall eat there before the Lord, your G-d, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. (Deut. 14:22-26)

What a beautiful idea! Pay yourself first, save up some of your earnings, and during the first, second, fourth and fifth year of the seven year agricultural cycle take a vacation in Jerusalem, and treat yourself well. It’s a mitzvah!

Rav Hirsch points out that the juxtaposition of all subject matter in the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) is highly meaningful. Our mitzvah of ma’aser sheni is preceeded by an exposition of the laws of kashrut, the complex kosher laws, dealing with which animals and fish could be eaten, the prohibition of eating blood, and mixtures of milk and meat.
Rav Hirsch explains that this sensitivity is a tool to elevate our own animal tendencies into the dominion of the moral freedom of spiritual humanity. We must elevate these aspects of our nature to the level of human morality, in the service of G-d.

The mitzvah of ma’aser sheni transforms the physical and sensual act of eating into a holy act of fulfilling a divine commandment, and thereby strengthening our relationship with G-d.

This is a unique facet of Judaism, the ability to use our base urges of sensuality and sexuality as tools to achieve holiness.

Today, as we live in exile, we are unable to fulfill this particular mitzvah, until our prayers are answered, and the Temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem. But, we can learn much about the nature of close relationships. They need nurturing, and regular allocation of resources to remain vital.
Too busy or too cash strapped to take some time off with your main squeeze? Pay yourself first, and save up for some special time to bask in the glow of your primary relationship. This is no time to skimp, rather to go all out, and indulge yourself. After all, we are practicing for the time that we will be able to do just that, in the name of the mitzvah of ma’aser sheni. May it be speedily and in our days.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Greg