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The Astonishing Mitzvah of Shichachah

By Rabbi Chaim Jachter

A Singular Mitzvah

The classic Torah riddle is what is the only Mitzvah in which one fulfills the Mitzvah by forgetting? The answer is the Mitzvah of Shichachah, the Torah entitling the poor to take a small pile of grain the field forgotten in the field. Devarim

24:19 surprisingly teaches that Hashem blesses all our activities if we fulfill this Mitzvah.  

A Reward for Forgetting?

It seems strange, though, for Hashem to reward us for forgetting something. The Torah (BeMidbar 15:40) exhorts us to remember and perform all of the Mitzvot. Why does the Torah stress the reward the sole Mitzvah performed by forgetting?  

Sefer HaChinuch

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 552) clarifies that the reward is for not claiming the forgotten bundle of grain. The Pasuk specifically commands “Lo Tashuv Lekachtah,” do not return and take [that which has been forgotten]. The reward, explains the Sefer HaChinuch, is for refraining from grabbing the forgotten sheaves.

Rashi

Rashi (based on the Midrash), however, is clear that the reward is for forgetting the grain.  He even extends the idea by saying that Hashem similarly rewards someone who absentmindedly dropped money which was later found by an indigent individual who sustained himself thereby. Rashi’s approach, however, seems nothing short of bizarre. Why does Hashem reward those who absentmindedly caused good to happen?

Approach #1:  Rav Dr. Twerski - Subconscious Choice

Rav Dr. Abraham Twerski, a Torah scholar who was a world class psychiatrist, explains Rashi in light of a fundamental principle of modern psychology. He notes that psychology teaches that there are not unintended actions. While one may not have consciously chosen to act in a certain way, the action was caused by a subconscious drive. Accordingly, Hashem rewards one who absentmindedly forgot some grain in the field, since subconsciously he wished to perform this Mitzvah.  

Approach #2 - Megalgelim Zechut Al Yedei Zakai

In a variation on this idea, we explain Rashi based on a pivotal principle of Chazal - “Megalgelim Zechut Al Yedei Zakai,” Hashem chooses good people to bring about good things. Chazal use this idea to resolve the contradiction between our belief in human free will and our belief in Hashgachah Peratit, divine influence on earthly events. Hashem certainly directs human events.  Our choice is whether we will be good people who Hashem chooses to bring about good events or bad people whom Hashem chooses to bring about bad things.   

Accordingly, if a poor person was sustained by one’s actions, Hashem rewards him for his choosing to be a good person who Hashem selected to bring about good things.   

Approach #3 - Ratzah HaKadosh Baruch Hu Lezakot Et Yisrael

Perhaps the most compelling answer stems from a powerful teaching of Chazal. The last Mishna of Masechet Makkot teaches “Ratzah HaKadosh Baruch Hu Lezakot Et Yisrael,” Hashem is eager to reward us. Hashem loves us and is eager for us to succeed and reward us. Therefore He rewards us for our good deeds even if we do not even intend to do them!  

Hashem – A Strict Loving father

This idea fits with an incredible insight from Mr. Stephen Nunez, a young man whom I helped in his successful conversion process in 2019, to address many of my Torah Academy of Bergen County students. One student asked Steve how he views Hashem. Steve responded that he sees Hashem as a strict loving Father (Avinu Malkeinu).

He explained that Hashem has high expectations of us and holds us accountable if we fail to make the proper effort to attain the goals that we should reach. Hashem, like a strict loving father, does not bully us; He empowers us. A strict loving father seeks the best interest of his child. He wants his child to

thrive and become great. However, discipline and hard work are most necessary to achieve this greatness and thus the father is strict in his demands. Hashem’s Mitzvot as well as the concept of Sechar VaOnesh are NOT meant to bully us. Instead, they lift us to be all we can be. When the child of a strict loving father accomplishes all he can, both the loving strict father and son  rejoice in great happiness and satisfaction. This is a major goal of a life of Torah and Mitzvot - greatness in personal accomplishment and Middot Tovot.

The Mitzvah of Shichachah is a kind reminder from Hashem that all His demands upon us stem from His great love for us.  

A Story from the Tosefta 

Tosefta Pe’ah 3:14 relates (translation from www.sefaria.org):

It happened with a certain pious person that he forgot a sheaf in his field [during harvest,] and he said to his son, “Go [to the Temple in Jerusalem] and sacrifice in my name a bull for Korban Olah (burnt-offering) and a bull for Korban Shlamim (peace-offering).” He (i.e. his son) said [back] to him (i.e. the father), “Father! What have you seen in this commandment [of Shikcha that caused you] to rejoice [about it] more than all [other] commandments that are mentioned in the Torah?” He (i.e. the father) said [back] to him (i.e. the son), “All [other] commandments [that are mentioned] in the Torah have been given to us by God [to be executed] consciously (i.e. on purpose with intent). [But] this [commandment of Shikcha was given to us by God to be executed] unconsciously (i.e. accidentally due to forgetfulness), because if we would have done it willingly

(i.e. left the sheaf in the field on purpose for the poor to take) in front of God, this commandment would not be counted for us [as a fulfilled commandment of Shikcha, but rather as a random act of kindness.]” 

This beautiful story fits wonderfully with each of our three approaches. By bringing the Korbanot he confirms that he did subconsciously wish to perform the Mitzvah. The Korbanot express the elation at the fulfillment of his subconscious

desires.  

The Korbanot also express elation with the realization that Hashem regards him as a good person that Hashem selected to bring about a kind deed.  

Finally, the Korbanot are an expression of great joy for the great love Hashem has for us. My son Binyamin notes that it is no coincidence that the story involves a loving father and son relationship. The love between father and son reflects the great love between Hashem and us.  

Conclusion - Shichachah and Chodesh Elul 

It is also no coincidence that we read about the Mitzvah of Shichachah during Chodesh Elul in the weeks leading up to Rosh HaShanah.  While we approach the Yamim Noraim with a proper measure of trepidation, Shichachah reminds us that

our Judge loves us.  He demands much from us a great deal, especially at this time of the year. Shichachah reminds us that these demands stem from His great love for us.  During Chodesh Elul, the glorious Mitzvah of Shichachah reminds us

“Ashreinu Mah Tov Chelkeinu U’Ma Na’im Goraleinu, how elated we should be with our lot and how pleasant is our mission to be blessed with Hashem as a strict loving father.