Parshat Ki Tavo begins with the mitzvah of hava’at habikkurim, offering the first fruits of the Seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised.

The farmer schleps his new fruit up to Jerusalem, and the Torah provides a formula for him to recite while offering his bikkurim. The words are familiar as they are found in the Haggdah shel Pesach.

The language is difficult to understand, however, for when he begins his declaration he states, “higadeti hayom – I have declared today….” He speaks in the past tense, but he hasn’t said anything yet! This is before he makes his formal declaration!

Kli Yakar, explains that his actions speak louder than his words. By designating his crop, harvesting his first fruits and ascending to Yerushalayim to offer them in the Holy Temple, his actions tell a story; his actions speak for themselves. Even before he opens his mouth, he has already done so much. His actions have already “declared today.”

In fact, one can see this concept expressed in the realm of halacha. Offering the fruits and making the verbal declaration are considered two separate mitzvot (Rambam Sefer HaMitzvot Mitzvot Aseh 125, 131; Hilchot Bikkurim 2:1, 3:10).

Our Sages teach us to “say a little and do a lot” (Avot 1:5). The greatest acts of kindness are those done quietly, without pomp and ceremony. For kindness is not about seeking honor nor aggrandizing ourselves. Kindness is recognizing our responsibilities to one another. The word tzedaka is often mistranslated as charity. The root tzedek means justice. Giving of ourselves is not a nice or charitable act, it is a requirement; it’s the just thing to do.

There is a famous Chassidic tale about the Rebbe who walked in late to the Selichot prayers each morning before Rosh HaShanah. When confronted by a mitnaged about the Rebbe’s recurrent lateness, one of his chassidim declared, ‘”Every morning, the Rebbe ascends to Heaven in preparation for the Days of Judgement.” The mitnaged had his doubts and decided to see what the Rebbe is really up to early in the morning. The mitnaged awoke before dawn and stationed himself outside of the Rebbe’s home. He watched as the Rebbe left his home, dressed as a lumberjack, carrying an axe and sack. Curious, he proceeded to follow the Rebbe deep into the forest towards a small flimsy shack. The Rebbe chopped wood for an hour, all the while mumbling to himself. He then entered the shack. Through the window, the mitnaged saw the Rebbe stoke the fire of an old widow who occupied the little house. He spoke to her gently and gave her freshly baked bread. The Rebbe left and ran off back towards the shtetl, all the while moving his lips in prayer. The next day, the mitnaged saw the chassid and said to him, “You told me your Rebbe goes up to heaven each morning. I want you to know, he goes even higher!”

Rather than quickly judging someone, remember, they may be chopping wood. We should all merit to chop wood. Our actions should speak for themselves- like the farmer whose bikkurim speak volumes.