"And you shall take of the first of every fruit of the ground." (26:2)
In this pasuk, Hashem commands the Kohenim to take from the farmers their first fruit that grows. Rav Moshe Feinstein comments that a farmer would take so much joy from their first fruit that grows, while to a Kohen it makes no difference. Therefore, why would Hashem command to take away a farmers most precious product to the Kohenim who won't have such an appreciation for it?
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ReplyDeleteAccording to the Ramban, the Torah doesn’t specify a quantity of how much of the first fruit must be given. The Ramban says even a single berry or one grain from the first fruits which are given to the Kohanim would exempt the entire field. I believe that therefore giving a token of the first fruit to the Kohanim does not reduce the farmer’s joy but rather enhances their joy because they are able to present their fruits and take pride in it.
ReplyDeleteRabbi Scherman explains that the farmer has to give his first ripened fruit to the kohen to show his gratitude and dedication to Hashem. By giving the first fruit to to the kohen, it portrays the love and devotion the farmer has for Hashem. It represents the fact that everything the farmer does is only because Hashem made it possible. I agree with this opinion because everyone has to be reminded that Hashem is the mighty one behind all your actions and accomplishments. Although it's true that the farmer worked hard in order to produce the fruit, he has to remember that because of Hashem he was able to produce it
ReplyDeleteWe bring bekurim to the kohen in order to get closer to HAshem. The kohanim are much closer to HAshem then we are which is why the first fruit go to him. Bekurim is one of the gifts that are given to the kohanim. This is also why they live on (chabad.org)
ReplyDeletePerhaps it is possible that the fruit weren’t meant for the Kohanim at all. The sforno states that it was in fact for Hashem. This isn’t unusual because many of the gifts intended for Hashem were handed down to the Kohanim. In a way they were the closest bnei Israel could get to the Kedusha of Hashem so they should feel privileged to be able to repay Hashem at all, even if Hashem wasn’t directly getting their payment. -Shalhevet Abenaim
ReplyDeleteNechama Leibowitz quotes Abravanel who says that by the farmers giving up their best precious item, they are humbling their own selfish passions. Even the kohanim dont value these fruits its illustrating the farmers sacrifice and that hashem is far more important than their fruits even though they worked super hard on them and would want to enjoy them for themselves.
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ReplyDeleteRav Uri Etigson from Yeshivah Lev Hatorah says that more they internalize and are aware of the reason why they are receiving the first fruit, the more genuine joy they will feel when engaging in even the simplest joys, that they would often take for granted! Such as, them being in Israel, and having the opportunity to even partake in this mitzvah! I thought this was a really nice view on this mitzvah. When I think about this mitzvah, I do not necessarily associate it with genuine joy, especially towards the land of Israel. Hearing his view opened my mind to the greater point of this mitzvah, and why it is such a nice thing.
The farmer gives the fruit to the kohen so the farmer know and appreciates Hashem so that the farmer can realize that no matter how hard he worked hash is the Hashem one who gave them the fruit and they should always bethinking Hashem for giving them their fruit that they get every week
ReplyDelete-Rabbi Mayer Erps
Yael Skydell
ReplyDeleteThe Pasuk says that Bnie Yisroel should go to the Kohen and say to him, “I declare today to Hashem, your G-d, that I have come to the land that Hashem swore..and the Kohen shall take your basket..” (26:3). The farmers are declaring that Hashem has fulfilled His promise to us by giving us the land of Israel, and then they will give their first grown fruits to the Kohenim for this is acknowledgement, of G-d giving Bnie Yisroel the land of Israel, being declared before to the Kohen, displays that their gratitude is truly expressed, by giving these fruits to the holiest men who have one of the closest relationships with Hashem, and who will lay it on the Alter before Him. –Gur Aryeh
the ramban says that the farmer doesnt have to give each first fruit of each type of fruit, rather he needs to pick one of those fruits or grains and give that to the Cohen, and that will make his mitzvah yotzei.
ReplyDeleteEliana Zellig