By Shalom Olensky
This week in the Torah:
The Mitzvah of Bikurim (first fruits) is discussed. To thank G-d for successful produce, Jewish landowners in Israel, while the HolyTemple is standing, are obligated to take the very first fruits of their crops and bring them to the HolyTemple as a gift for the priests serving there.
A lesson:
Do not think that thanking G-d for our possessions is a secondary matter. The very first and very best of one’s harvest should be brought as a grateful thanks to G-d. This is based on the pure and simple, Jewish, innate faith that despite the effort of man involved in acquiring his possessions, really, everything, absolutely everything, comes from G-d.
Another lesson:
The fruits are not burned on the Altar but rather given to the priests to eat. This teaches us that one can, upon deep reflection, sanctify himself to a level where even the physical taste of food becomes a tool for serving G-d; by simply affirming that all one’s possessions are from G-d, one sanctifies them.
(Based on Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 2, Ki Tavo)
