The school year had ended. Everyone was ready for the graduation ceremony.
Dani was proud of himself. He had dedicated himself especially to studying this year. He had been the best student in the class.
At the ceremony, everyone applauded when Dani's name was announced over the loudspeaker. He walked to the stage to receive the award for best student. Moré Iaakov smiled, shook his hand, and gave him a box wrapped in gift paper, along with another, smaller box.
After the ceremony, Dani approached Iaakov and said, "Thank you for the award.".
""You deserved it," Iaakov replied, "you worked very hard this year.".
""But why did you give me an extra prize?" Dani asked.
""That was a bonus," Yaakov smiled. After a moment he said, "Dani, you like to study. Look at this week's parashah and you'll find a mitzvah that can be compared to the extra reward you received.".
Dani was very intrigued, and he found the mitzvah.
In this week's parashah, we learn about the mitzvah of "haanakah," giving extra. A Jewish servant works for his master for six years and is then freed. When he leaves, his master is obligated to give him gifts.
These gifts are not payment for the servant's work. The master pays the servant upfront, before he begins working. For six years, the master takes care of all the needs of the servant, his wife, and his children. Afterward, he gives him extra gifts.
HaShem is our Master, and we serve Him faithfully, preparing the world to be His home. He rewards us for our service and takes care of our needs. When the redemption (geulah) arrives, He will also fulfill the mitzvah of haanakah by giving us additional gifts. Today we can sense some of HaShem's holiness. When the redemption comes, HaShem will give us something more and show us holiness that we cannot perceive today.