"I have not eaten [the second tithe] while in mourning, nor have I separated any of it while I was impure, nor have I used any of it for the dead. I have heeded Your voice G‑d, and have done all that You have commanded me." (Deut. 26:14)

The holy Zohar writes that it is forbidden for one to eat before one has first beseeched G‑d for one's sustenance (Zohar Beshalach 62b). Even when the table is set before you and filled with fine, kosher foods, one must still remember that it is G‑d who provides our sustenance.

This is expressed again in the holy Zohar, "It is forbidden for one to cook today for the following day." (Zohar Beshalach 62a) This is included in one of the positive mitzvot of the Torah. "You must remember that it is G‑d who gives you the strength and ability to become prosperous..." (Deut. 8:18) One must remember that everything is from G‑d.

When one keeps in mind that one's food is suffused with holiness and eats accordingly, one becomes possessed of this same holiness….

"…I have not eaten [the second tithe] while in mourning [in Hebrew, 'b'oni', which also means 'strength' or 'power']" means I have not prepared my food on my own strength, rather, I have remained steadfast in my faith that everything comes from the goodness that G‑d provides for us in this world. For when one keeps in mind that one's food is suffused with holiness and eats accordingly, one becomes possessed of this same holiness with which to serve G‑d as it is written, "The angel of the L-rd came and touched him [Elijah] a second time and said, 'Arise and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.' So he arose and ate and drank; and with the strength from that meal he walked forty days and forty nights as far as the mountain of G‑d at Horeb." (Kings I 19:7-8) Through his holy eating, Elijah was able to reach the mountain of G‑d. "The priests eat the sacrifices and the ones who dedicated them receive atonement". (Pesachim 59b) When the priests ate in sanctity as G‑d commanded them, Jews were able to receive atonement.

When one eats in a spirit of sanctity and purity…it is like bringing a sacrifice to the altar oneself….

This hints to the unique divine service of tzaddikim. Gifts of First Fruits where once brought to the prophet Elisha. (II Kings 4) The Talmud asked, "And does Elisha need First Fruits?" The Talmud concludes that we learn that when one brings a gift to a Torah scholar or tzaddik, it is like bringing a gift of First Fruits to the priest in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. (Ketubot 105b) "And the one who wishes to make a wine libation on the altar, let him bring wine for the Torah scholars to drink." (Yoma 71a) When one eats in a spirit of sanctity and purity, with a contrite heart, and with resolute belief that everything comes to one from G‑d, it is like bringing a sacrifice to the altar oneself, which brings down holiness as well as atonement for a person.

And if one doesn't eat his food in a spirit of holiness, and with a contrite heart, believing that everything comes to him from G‑d, of him it is written, "And your heart became arrogant, and you forgot G‑d…" (Deut. 8:14) Eating without a spirit of holiness causes forgetfulness, and leaves room for the Evil Inclination to infiltrate. Then one may come to spiritual impurity and be overtaken with despair.

Partaking of the meal of a Torah scholar, is akin to being in the Divine Presence….

"I have not eaten while in mourning" [in Hebrew, 'b'oni/in mourning', also meaning 'strength' or 'power'] means that I have eaten only with the belief that G‑d, and not my own strength and ingenuity, provides my sustenance. "…and I have not used any of it for the dead…", my eating has been in such a manner that brought only life and spiritual vitality, in order to serve G‑d and has not drawn me in to a morass of impurity and negativity.

"…I have heeded Your voice G‑d, and have done all that You have commanded me." Rashi comments, "I have rejoiced myself in all that you have given me and I made others joyful as well." I have not kept all the goodness for myself, but have used it to benefit others, just like the priests who would eat their portion or the sacrifices and procure atonement for the animals' owners.

Partaking of the meal of a Torah scholar, is akin to being in the Divine Presence. Just as the Divine Presence causes one's soul to be elevated, and desire to take on the responsibility of Torah and mitzvot, and cleave to G‑d, so does sharing the food of a Torah scholar or tzaddik.

"From when may one say the Reading of Shema at night? From the time when the priests go in to eat their tithes. (Mishnah Berachot 1:1) Those who are "at night", in a state of darkness and not able to take on the responsibility of Torah and mitzvot, but can nevertheless raise themselves out of the darkness "when the priests go in to eat their tithes". Through their eating, they bring light and salvation to the world, and illumine a path for souls to raise themselves up to serve G‑d in holiness and purity.

[Based on Divrei Binah page 127, by Rebbe Yitzchak Yaakov of Biala; First published in B'Ohel Hatzadikim, Ki Tavo 5759; www.nishmas.org]