A 13-year-old driving a stolen car with seven children crashed into another vehicle—killing William Vance Payne, a husband and father of five, and critically injuring two children.

What may have begun as a “joyride” ended in tragedy.

So what is real joy—and how can it change the way we drive?

Parashat Ki Tavo connects two powerful ideas: hakarat hatov—gratitude—and simcha—joy. Through the mitzvah of Bikkurim, the Torah teaches us to stop, notice our blessings, and appreciate them.

Gratitude changes what we see. Joy changes how we respond.

Even behind the wheel, genuine joy can help us overcome anger, frustration, and impatience—and remind us to appreciate the journey and respect every life around us.

Welcome to Driving Through the Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion helps us become safer and kinder drivers.

To learn more about the Safe Jewish Driving Initiative—or to request complimentary books or presentations—visit https://JewishDriving.com.

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