Daily Matza April 17th

Feast Of First Fruits

[Read LEV 23:9-14]

Bikkurim [First Fruits] or Resheet [Raise the lamb] is the third feast of the Jewish religious year and is observed three days after Passover. This places it on the third day of the Feast Of Unleavened Bread. It commemorates the early harvest and is a day of thanks to G-d for that early, first harvest of the Winter grains–Winter wheat, barley, rye.

The farmer brought in a distinct sheaf [not mixed grains] to the Temple and gave it to the priest as a thank-offering for each kind of grain that he had harvested. The priest waved it [lifted it high] before the L-rd on behalf of the farmer. Also, some of the grain was mixed with oil and burned as an olah [burnt offering] along with a male lamb of the first year. Thus the name Resheet [raise the lamb] came to be attached to this Feast. Some of the thank-offering [lamb and matza mixed with oil] was returned to the giver, for him and his family to eat.

First fruits and first born are very significant concepts in G-d’s plan–for our benefit! Putting Him first, thanking Him first, giving Him the first and best–all are honorable, gracious acts by the donor. They are all perfectly suited for the One who is worthy of the first and best.

Regarding those who complain about the giving of the tithe [tenth] in Tenach, consider these facts:

• The priest was instructed by G-d to return some of the first and best for the thankful giver to consume–definitely a gracious gesture by G-d.
• G-d is actually entitled to the entirety of who we are and what we have. It’s all His!
• But, we get to keep 90%!
• Thank offerings ranged from 20% upward, depending on how thankful the person was. It’s a sobering fact, and shameful to those who whine about the tithe, that it was given under the Law. Thus, it is not a love command, not a gracious act, not even voluntary or joyful on our part–but required, expected, commanded.

What should be our First Fruits or Thank Offering to G-d? An offering from your paycheck? The first of the fruit or vegetables that you pick from your garden or your field? The first of your flock or litter? The first of your catch or kill, when you’re fishing or hunting?

How much above the tithe is G-d worthy of, in our minds and hearts? Are we thankfully returning to Him the tithe, plus first fruits, plus more? Are we putting Him first–thanking Him first, giving Him the first, yes even making accessible the entirety of who we are and what we have?

Selah…Shalom…