What's the most important trait that makes a good team player? We are often told to have good communication or be responsible but there's a very important characteristic that is often left in the shadows: being grateful. 

In this week's Parsha, Moshe tells the Israelites that when they enter the land given by G-d, they will be asked to bring the first fruits, the Bikkurim, and offer them to G-d as they express their gratitude. The first thing they have to do before they enjoy the success of their labor is thank who brought them there in the first place.

Many times, we believe that being thankful is only the last step when it really should be the first. We should be thankful for not only the results, but also the journey of trying to achieve those results. Ki Tavo means when you come, referring to coming into the land of Israel. The Torah tells us that when entering the land we must immediately give our produce to others.  G-d tells us that the food we collect is not only for ourselves or offered to G-d as a token of gratitude, but it is also to be given to help others, as we must always be willing and able to help our community. When we enter a new space for the first time, we are faced with exciting new opportunities, but also new challenges. Parshat Ki Tavo reminds us that when these opportunities come along, we need to not only think about ourselves, but also about our community.

As the High Holidays approach, this Parsha offers us the opportunity to dive deeper into what we give to our community. If you go to synagogue or have dinner with your family this Yamim Noraim (High Holidays), I invite you to pause for a just a minute and think about how your life is impacted by them and how  you can help to make it better. Being thankful is not the easy road, because you can get there faster if you are alone, but we will get farther along together; together as one and forever united as one crew. 

Shabbat Shalom, 

Gal Rubel, BBYO Argentina

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