In this week’s Torah portion, Ekev, we find the commandment to recite Birchat Hamazon, Grace after Meals, “And you will eat and be satisfied, and you shall bless the Lord, your God”.
While the Torah requires one to bless when satisfied, the Talmud says that one should bless after eating a piece of bread as small as an olive.
Satisfaction in life is a result of one’s mindset not the size of one’s portion. No matter how large one’s portion, there’s always larger. If one chooses to focus on what is still lacking, they will never find satisfaction, no matter the size of the portion. If on the other hand, one focuses on what they already have, they will always be satisfied, even with just an olive.
By requiring us to recite the blessing after eating just an olive size portion, the Talmud is reminding us that having more will NOT increase one’s level of satisfaction. If you are not satisfied with a little you will not be satisfied with a lot.
Our sages taught “Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot”. Each of us is allotted our unique portion in life in order to fulfill our purpose and maximize our potential. From this perspective we lack absolutely nothing and can find true satisfaction with whatever we have.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Benjy Silverman