THE VERY DIFFERENT MITZVA OF BIKKURIM

Rabbi Dunner delves into the dormant mitzvah of Bikkurim.

This mitzva was practiced in ancient times, and it required every farmer to take his first fruits to the priest in Jerusalem, and present them to him in a basket with a specially formulated declaration.

But why give them to the priest? What’s with the wordy declaration? Why can’t the priest come and get them, instead of the farmer having to traipse all the way to Jerusalem?

These are only a few of the many questions and curiosities that surround the mitzvah of Bikkurim.

Rabbi Dunner surveys the classic commentaries to gain a deeper understanding of this fundamental Torah commandment.

PARSHAT KI TAVO 2015 – SOURCE SHEET