Bikkurim - First Fruit

Found 15 Search results

1. Vayikra and the Minha Offering

   Vayikra

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |

   Why, for meal offerings, are se’or and devash (grain and honey) forbidden? This shiur looks at explanations of commentators such as Maimonides, and then delves into a literary analysis of unleavened bread in Biblical narrative to demonstrate that unleavened bread symbolizes the moment of leaving Egypt, and the potential process of “becoming,” while leavened bread (and honey) symbolize arrival, or “being,” and why each are appropriate for different types of offerings (korbanot).

2. The Mitzva of Bikkurim

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   At first glance, it would seem that the mitzva of bringing the bikkurim (first fruits) to the Temple belongs to the category of mitzvot of "reishit" (first) – a category which includes teruma, terumat ma'aser, challa, the first fleece, the firstborn of animals, the redemption of firstborn children, etc. However, the mitzva of bikkurim is unique among the mitzvot of "reishit" owing to a few of its important details- the "bikkurim declaration", the obligation to bring only from the "seven species" of Eretz Yisrael, among other specific details. What is the reason for the uniqueness of the mitzva of bikkurim? 

3. A DEMONSTRATION OF FAITH THROUGH SPEECH

   Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Brandes

4. Leaven, Honey and the Altar of God

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

   Why, for meal offerings, are se’or and devash (grain and honey) forbidden? This shiur looks at explanations of commentators such as Maimonides, and then delves into a literary analysis of unleavened bread in Biblical narrative to demonstrate that unleavened bread symbolizes the moment of leaving Egypt, and the potential process of “becoming,” while leavened bread (and honey) symbolize arrival, or “being,” and why each are appropriate for different types of offerings (korbanot).

5. The Laws of Sacrifices

   Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

   What is the role of the Kohen when it comes to bringing sacrifices? Through a close examination of the text we can understand the goal of the Kohanim as the teachers of Am Yisrael, and how this relates to the holidays of Pesach and Shavuot. 

6. Orla and Reishit

   Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

   Parshat Kedoshim contains the prohibition of orla –the use of the fruit that grows on a tree for its first three years, and the commandment of neta revai – the obligation of bringing the fruit of the fourth year to Jerusalem and eating them there in a state of ritual purity. The appellation by which the Torah refers to these fruits is surprising. They are referred to as "uncircumcised" (arelim), which implies a negative perspective. This article explores the term arel, as it appears in Tanakh, and analyzes the term against the backdrop of the other commandments of reshit. We will therefore be able to come to an understanding as to man’s relationship with the fruit of Eretz Yisrael, and making use of these fruits in this world for our own benefit, in a proper and blessed manner.

7. The Meaning of Shavuot and its Unique Offering

   Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

   While Pesach and Shavuot are linked by the counting of the Omer, they differ radically in their relationship to chametz and matza: on Pesach chametz is forbidden and matza is compulsory, while on Shavuot we offer two loaves of chametz.  How are we to understand this?  A proper explanation of the significance of chametz and matza, analyzing the various sources that appear in the Torah, shows that these are all details of a complete, unified system.

8. The Oath

   Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

   Nechemia chapter 10, perhaps the climax of the nation’s renewed commitment to Torah, summarizes the binding oath accepted by the community.

   In many instances, the oath seems to supersede the obligations that are set forth explicitly in the Torah. The commentators struggle with a fundamental question: to what extent was the oath a renewed commitment to the ancient laws of the Torah, albeit with some novel interpretations, and to what extent are these new, proto-Rabbinic laws? As we have seen, it is most likely that our chapter presents a mix of the two views. On any view, our chapter – and, indeed, the entire period of Shivat Tzion – exemplifies a careful balance between commitment to tradition and an understanding that specific commandments require additional emphasis or even innovation at particular moments in history.

9. Ki Tavo: In the Garden of Eden

   Rabbi Jay Kelman

10. A Thought for Parashat Ki Tavo

    Rabbi Yaakov Beasley

11. Ki Tavo: Telling God About Entering the Land

    Rabbi David Silverberg

12. Ki Tavo and the Message of Ani Hashem

    Rabbi David Silverberg

13. Ki Tavo: How to Take Your Place in Jewish History

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    Parshat Ki Tavo introduces to the topic of bikkurim, the first fruits brought to the temple. In this video, Rabbi Fohrman brings up some oddities in the text and asks why the Torah would paint such a confusing picture, and what are these mysterious silences? Watch the next video to find out!

     

     

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14. Ki Tavo: How to Take Your Place in Jewish History - Part 2

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    In this video, Rabbi Fohrman suggests that the pauses in the farmer’s speech are ways for him to show that he understands his place in the larger framework of Jewish history, and the promise that began back with our forefathers and came to fruition with him.

     

     

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15. …To the priest in charge at that time

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky