B"H
Friday, Elul 15, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / September 1, 2023
This Shabbat we read Parshat Ki Tavo, which begins with the mitzvah of "Bikurim" - offering of the "first fruits" to the Kohen-Priest in the Temple.
The Torah states: "When you come to the land which the L-rd your G-d will give you and you will possess it and dwell in it, you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you and you shall put them in a basket and go to the place which G-d shall choose to dwell there [Jerusalem]."
Once in Jerusalem, the basket of fruit was given to the Kohen (priest). The person bringing the basket of fruit would thank G-d for taking the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt; for all the miracles which G-d has done for the Jewish people, and for bringing them, "To this place and giving us this land, a land that flows with milk and honey."
The Torah concludes the mitzvah of Bikurim with the following, "And you shall rejoice in all the good which the L-rd your G-d has given you and to your household."
The mitzvah of Bikurim teaches us that before we enjoy the bounty and blessings which G-d gives us, we must give back some. When giving, one has to give from the first fruits - from the best.
"And you shall rejoice in all the good which the L-rd your G-d has given you." The mitzvah of Bikurim also teaches us to be happy and rejoice with whatever G-d has given us. A person who believes that whatever he or she has is a gift from G-d, will not be jealous of others and thus truly rejoice and be satisfied and happy with their lot in life.
The secret to wealth is taught by our sages in Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers); "Who is a wealthy person, one who is happy with his lot!" According to Torah, it is not wealth which brings happiness. The opposite is true. Happiness is wealth. The happier we are the richer we are.
The mitzvah of Bikurim didn’t apply immediately upon entering into Israel, but 14 years later after they conquered the land and gave everyone their assigned portion in the land. It took seven years to conquer the land and seven years to divide it so that everyone received their parcel of land.
Q.Why did those who already got their land have to wait with this mitzvah until everyone got their land?
A.Our sages explain: The mitzvah of Bikurim was an expression of joy; "And you shall rejoice in all the good which the L-rd your G-d has given you and to your household." However, in the spirit of the mitzvah of Ahavat Yisrael – Love your fellow as yourself, one cannot have complete joy, knowing that one of his brethren is still lacking their parcel of land.
Thus, this mitzvah applied only 14 years after coming into The Promised Land, when all the people had their parcel of land. A wonderful lesson in the mitzvah of Ahavat Yisrael – Love your fellowas yourself!
SHABBAT SHALOM & A HAPPY,HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Montreal candle lighting time: 7:14 / Shabbat ends: 8:17