One of the mitzvos listed in Parashas Aharai Mos is that of kisuy hadam, covering the blood of a bird that had just been slaughtered. What is the reason behind this mitzvah? A fascinating Midrash relates that when Kayin killed Hevel, Hashem sent birds to help bury him, ensuring that he was buried in an honorable manner. In reward for this, the birds merited to have the mitzvah of kisuy hadam, and each time one slaughters a bird, he must ensure that its blood is covered, an honorable burial. (Bereishis Rabbah 22)
We see from this Midrash that out of gratitude for burying Hevel, the birds received an eternal reward of kisuy hadam. So, the basis for this mitzvah is rooted in hakaras hatov, phenomenal!
This really sheds light on the far-reaching effects of hakaras hatov. After all, for an action that the birds did such a long time ago, not long after the creation of the world to one of the first men that ever lived, we are still obligated to express our gratitude even nowadays. Furthermore, in addition to just remembering what they did, we are obligated to do an action, covering their blood, as a way of expressing our appreciation.
This can be a model for all of us. We benefit from others in so many ways. Even long after, we should strive to always remember and appreciate what they have done for us, and to try and do something to express our heartfelt appreciation.
When Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spector was in his younger years, he lived in abject poverty and only had a pair of torn shoes. A generous man who hosted him insisted on purchasing him a new pair of shoes until he finally agreed. He eventually became one of the gedolei hador and his reputation spread around the world.
One time, he went to a certain city and throngs went out to greet him, to the extent that it was impossible to get even close. Rav Elchanan heard about his host who was in attendance and immediately invited him into his residence, telling him: “You should know that everything I have accomplished was in the merit of those shoes that you gave me all those years ago.”
