After the individual who brings Bikurim, first fruits, recites the Vidui, confession, he asks Hashem to bless him. Rashi explains this entreaty to mean, “We have done what You decreed upon us; now You do what behooves You.” This seems like an insolent way to address Hashem. Have we ever had a circumstance in which Hashem has not fulfilled His promise? Another question that seems to bother the commentators concerns the Maaser, when the person implies that he has done everything that Hashem has demanded of him. If he has done everything possible, why is he saying Viddui? We recite Viddui for an omission of a mitzvah or for committing an aveirah.
Horav Meir Shapiro, zl, offers a novel interpretation for this pasuk. When the person says, “I have not forgotten,” he is implying, “I have not forgotten that I have not transgressed any of Your mitzvos.” He arrogantly proclaims that he has been strict in observing Hashem’s mitzvos. He praises himself, proclaiming his own greatness.
Horav Zeev Weinberger, Shlita, comments that the confession is indeed for the mitzvos that he has performed – without the proper enthusiasm. All too often, we “klop al cheit” for the aveiros we have committed, ignoring those mitzvos that we have performed perfunctorally. Performing mitzvos because we are required to, carrying out Hashem’s command complacently, is not sufficient. This attitude indicates a deficit in our relationship with Hashem.
