The animals born during the current year all pass through a corral which has a narrow opening. As they are counted, the tenth one is marked and set aside as a tithe for Hashem. While the halachah maintains that one should proclaim the tenth animal as Maaser l’Hashem, it does not change its Maaser status if the individual did not orally declare it as Maaser. Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, underscores the fact that oral expression is essential, even though the animal nevertheless becomes holy. We infer from here that even if something is holy, it must be maintained in a state of kedushah. Nothing simply remains holy; its holiness sustained must be nurtured. Horav Feinstein relates his lesson to the area of Jewish parenthood and education. Children must be raised and educated – constantly. One cannot expect that simply because one has a gifted child — replete with fine character traits– he will automatically remain that way. Anyone who has ever raised or taught a child knows that the word automatic is inconsistent with childhood. Only through blood, sweat, tears and much Tehillim does one merit to see Torah nachas from a child. One who does not do his utmost to educate their child might u”j see his child’s innate holiness dissipate. Moreover, everyone, regardless of his level of spiritual achievement, should scrutinize his deeds, behavior and thoughts, carefully, to ensure that he remains on his spiritual plateau.
