Welcome to the short, practical Lelamed Weekly Dvar. Please consider forwarding this to others, and I hope you enjoy... _______________________________________________ The Torah describes the Todah (thanksgiving) offering, explaining that it is brought as an expression of the donor’s will (22:29). Since, by definition, this offering is voluntary, what does the passuk tell us by adding that it’s an expression of the donor’s will? The Ktav Sofer suggests that people who find themselves in a precarious situation and still survive may have preferred not to be placed in the situation in the first place. The passuk highlights that this Todah offering is an expression of deep acceptance and the understanding that what happens to us is ultimately for our own benefit. “Gam zu l’tova” (This too is for the good) is a way of life: acknowledging our situation and being grateful for all that we have. _______________________________________________ Quotation of the week: "Be grateful that you're blessed, and you'll be blessed that you're grateful." - Lawrence Askowitz