It’s all in the packaging! Or is it?
We package a gift nicely so that the presentation should not only be attractive, but also as an expression that shows it is a meaningful gift. We presume that the recipient keeps the packaging together with the gift.
But what if the recipient gives the packaging back? Is that a sign that they don’t appreciate the mode of delivery? Or is it a message that the gift itself is appreciated, even without the packaging?
Don’t be surprised to learn that the Torah has an opinion on this as well.
This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo, talks about giving a gift to the Kohen (priest) of the first, and best, fruits that have grown on one’s land. This Mitzvah is called Bikurim. Now the question arises, what to do with the basket that the fruits were delivered in? Does it remain in the possession of the giver, or does the Kohen keep it?
Here we have an interesting answer: It depends. If the basket is an expensive basket, the Kohen gives it back to the giver. If it is a simple basket, it remains in the Kohen’s possession. On the surface, we can explain the reason why by saying that the giver of the expensive basket did not intend to give such an expensive basket as part of the gift, so it is returned; but the giver of the simple wicker basket, the one that is not worth much, intended for the Kohen to keep it. However, it doesn’t say that the Kohen “can” keep it—it says that the Kohen “does” keep it. This teaches us that the wicker basket is actually part of the gift, yet the gold or silver basket is not and it has to be returned! Why?
Is this where the saying “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer” comes from?
In Judaism, intent is very important. It is possible for someone to give a gift intending only to include the contents of the basket, or that same someone can intend to include the basket as well.
When someone gives a gift of fruit in a fancy basket, this tells us that they are interested in the packaging, in the external aspects of the Mitzvah. There is some ego involved here, and the gift is not as pure, and that is why the basket is returned. On the other hand, when the intent is pure and there is no need for the fancy basket – because it is not about the basket but about the fruit – the fancy basket takes away from the purity of the mitzvah instead of adding flavor. It’s as if the giver is saying the fruit itself is not that valuable, therefore I must dress it up with a fancy basket.
The beauty lies in the simplicity.
That is why when the simple wicker basket is given, the Kohen keeps it to show the value in this simple act, while the expensive basket is returned so that the giver doesn’t lose out by the basket cheapening the gift.
In our lives, we too, have to think about the times when “packaging” is necessary and when it’s not.
As we gear up for Rosh Hashanah, we remove our external packaging from our souls and we let our souls shine—purely.
Edited by www.geminiwordsmiths.com