Weekly Torah Portion: Kedoshim

I Can’t Wait

By Rabbi Yaakov Marks 

Rabbi Yaakov Marks
Rabbi Yaakov Marks

SAN DIEGO — “And when you come to the land, you will plant all types of fruit trees. For three years the fruit will be prohibited; in the fourth year it will be sanctified to praise G-d, and in the fifth year and from then on you may eat from the fruit and the crop will be increased.” (Leviticus 19:23) The Torah seems to be commanding us to plant trees to beautify the land and not use the fruit for three years to strengthen the tree. Many questions are asked about this. G-d promised the generation that entered Israel that the land would be full of every type of vegetation that they would need. Why then do they need to plant more trees? Why not do something that they need right now? The phrase opens with the conjunction “and,” connecting it to the previous phrase. The previous law discusses the punishment for a man having relations with a woman who is half free and half a Canaanite maidservant who is in the process of getting freed and will then be permitted to marry. Why does the Torah compare these two diversely different laws? The Midrash says that this is also connected to the subsequent law of not eating meat before the blood is fully extracted from it. What does eating meat have to do with planting trees?

When a person plants a sapling, the owner understands that for the first three years there won’t be much fruit produced and any that does grow will not be of a high quality. However, into the fourth and fifth year, the young tree will start producing delectable delights. There is not much temptation in waiting for the three years to partake of the pleasurable fruits. Two of a man’s biggest temptations are compared to this case of planting trees, that of his lust for a woman and his desire to eat meat. With this comparison, G-d is teaching us a fundamental principle. In both the case of the maidservant and the case of the meat if the person waits a little bit the action will be permitted, but if done immediately it is prohibited. G-d is telling us that just as the pleasure of eating the fruit after three years is so much greater than eating the fruit without waiting, so too in all cases which require patience. Just like the wait for the fruit is a minimal hindrance when assessed by the farmer, so to the pleasure in any situation when properly thought out a person will see that the pleasure gotten after waiting for the appropriate time will dwarf the ill-gotten pleasure. Even though the man might have had pleasure from the relations with the maidservant before she had gained her freedom and he married her properly, and would have enjoyed eating the meat with some blood remaining, the psychological makeup of a person, whose inner desire is to do what is permitted and correct, would completely erase any thoughts of enjoyment following an act which is prohibited. However, when a person has control of his emotions and waits for the proper time to partake, the pleasure he gets surpasses the pleasure taken at the wrong time.

A person has two opposing desires. On one hand a person wants to satisfy his desires immediately; on the other hand, he wants to do the right thing which may require waiting until the action is permissible. How many times have we heard a person say, “I can’t wait” or “I’ve got to have it”? Almost inevitably fulfilling this action is followed by regret. However, those people who wait for the proper time end up experiencing pleasure and feeling good about exhibiting restraint. A person on a health journey who sees something he or she shouldn’t be eating nevertheless makes an excuse and eats it will inevitably have regrets that will spoil any pleasure. A person who waits to reach his goal and then partake will have double satisfaction. He is proud that he had the perseverance to be able to control himself and he enjoyed the treat without regret.

May we have the wisdom and strength to partake of our pleasures at the proper time. May    G-d grant us merit to overcome our short-term desires and reap our long- term satisfaction.

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Rabbi Marks is a life and health coach, who may be contacted via ahealthyrabbi@gmail.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below must be accompanied by the letter-writer’s first and last name and his/her city and state of residence (city and country if outside the U.S.)