Shalom,

Their seems to be a very exciting concept coming out of the parsha of Bikurim ( Devarim 26:1 )

The torah tells us that we are to bring the first fruits of the season to the Bais Hamikdash. In a beautiful ceremony we bring baskets laden with fresh fruit and we verbally give thanks to Hashem for all the bounty and blessing he has bestown upon us.

When one reflects into this very inspiring Mitzvah some interesting questions come to mind.

Firstly, the Mitzvah of Bikurim didn't begin until fourteen years after we had conquered and divided the land of Israel. Why didn't we show our thanks to Hashem right away? Why did we wait?

Secondly, when we give thanks to Hashem we tell how Lavan had wanted to uproot us at our very source the very beginning of the Jewish people and that Hashem saved us. We tell about going down into Egypt and all the suffering we endured and the slave labor forced upon us. That we called out to Hashem and with a strong hand he redeemed us and took us out of Egypt---- with great and wondrous miracles. And that he brought us to this place ( the Bais Hamikdash ) and gave us this land, a land of milk and honey. And we say .'and now I brought( to you) the first of the fruit of the earth that you gave me." of the new harvest?

Why do we recount the history of Lavan and Egypt? What does this have to do with the blessings?

Thirdly, not all fruits are used, only the seven fruits that Eretz Israel is praised and lauded about grapes figs etc. )are brought to the ceremony in the Bais Hamikdash. Why aren't other fruits of the harvest brought.

Fourthly, why aren't their ceremonies of appreciation and thanks surrounding other gifts that we bring such as Terumah etc.

All of this seems to point to a very beautiful thought.

Everything in this world is divided into three parts ; beginning middle and end -- head, heart and feet.

All of human endeavor can be understood in this light: the original idea behind the endeavor (head, beggining) ......... the means to reach it( heart, middle )...... the result, when the idea is relised (feet, end).

(The year too is so divided: Rosh Hashana (head, beginning ) the three festivals Pessach, Shavuoth Succoth (heart, middle ) Elull (feet,end).)

All of these examples and many more ( all the particulars of creation in fact ) are microcosms of a much grander concept. The concept of it all.

The great plan behind all of history (beginning) time rushing through history to achieve it's destiny (middle ) time and history realizing their destiny , the coming of Moshiach and a new world ( end ).  ( In  truth; the true beginning but than that's another story to be told at another time, in real time, the time of Moshiach. )

n the beginning Hashem and the truth behind it all was revealed with the giving of the
beginning) then  We were dispersed throughout the world to bring all of Hashem's plan to fruition (middle ) which is the coming of Moshiach the returning of all to the Land and specifically the building of the House of Hashem the Bais Hamikdash ( end)

Which brings us back to the beginning ( of our discussion that is ):Bikurim.

In the scheme of things fruit has it's unique place. It has something more of the luxuriant in it. It's not the main dish. It's not as a vegetable that comes to enhance it. It stands by itself. [ That is why at the end of the meal we make another blessing for the fruit.]

It represents the end of the process the coming of the Moshiach. The time of true peace.

Of that time it is written " a man ( shall dwell ) under his vine(yard) and a man under his fig tree."

It is this expression that seems to say it all, true peace and tranquility, the reward of all human endeavor to savor the taste of Hashem's closenes, to luxuriate in the warmth of his light. For then when we shall come to the fruit ( end) of our labors we shall dwell under the fruit trees.

Bikurim is different. we rejoice and thank Hashem for fruit. from the desert, for the sweet reward that is experienced after toiling for it.

This is why we tell the story of Lavan and of Egypt at the Bikurim festivities. We recognize the whole process, the plan and purpose The harvesting of the fruit symbolizes that we have come through it all. All the obstacles, all the suffering.

We have endured and have come to reap the fruit of our labors. It is a microcosm of the grand plan. And therein lies its importance. It points to the time of bliss and just as Hashem has given us to reap the fruit our labors so to shall we taste the everlasting blessing of Hashem, the fruit of history the purpose of history, at the coming of Moshiach

That is why only after we have divided and settled the Land and lived in peace (relatively) did we bring Bikurim the gift which represents the future when peace will abound and the Land will be settled.

This too is why only the seven fruits that the land of Israel is praised about are used, for this is the celebration of coming home to reap he fruits of along journey the journey of mankind. We are coming home. Home to the Land. Eretz Israel. Moshiach.

Wishing every one a KTIVAH VCHATIMAH TOVAH VSHANAH TOVAH UMETUKAH all the very very best of everything

Rabbi Gottlieb
Nachalim