Deuteronomy 26 starts with an agricultural commandment: to bring first fruits to the Temple. Bear in
mind that the first fruit command has been broached three times earlier in the Torah. Presently, the
prophet saw fit to further elaborate. Specifically, the Hebrews heard the element of timing, about when
the directive devolves upon them – after they liberate the land, and divvy it among the twelve tribes.
“And it shall be when you come into the land which God your Almighty
gives you for an inheritance, and you take possession of it, and dwell
therein.”
The people heard more. Namely, they were apprised of the details concerning about how first fruits
were to be brought to the Temple, “And you shall put it in a basket and shall go unto the place…” Next,
the nation learned about the oral declaration they needed to enunciate as part of fulfilling their
obligation, “You shall speak and you shall say...”
Abravanel asks: What is the rationale behind bringing first fruits? In fact, it bespeaks a profound
touchstone of Jewish belief. Judaism posits that the nation must believe that God stands at the forefront
of the universe. As the psalmist teaches, “To Him is the earth, and the fullness thereof; the world, and
they who dwell therein.” The Maker is the people’s master and there is no other. He, for His part, if you
will, remains closely involved with everything that transpires under the sun. Goodness emanates from
Him. To the point, Man should not lose sight of this simple tenet nor falsely construe that the world
belongs to him. It doesn’t.
Moreover, it is folly to ascribe Man’s strength as the driver behind his successes. Delusions of grandeur
are dangerous, a short punt from throwing off the yoke of Heaven. Enter the first fruit commandment.
Annually, a Jew is told to bring his first fruits to the Temple. By so doing, he proclaims true faith,
extending praise to the Creator. He acknowledges his belief in those fundamentals noted above: To God
belongs the entire universe. He is the Holy Nation’s master. First fruits reinforce immutable truths.
One would be hard pressed to find a more reasonable request. God does not require Jews to scour far
and wide in search of blue-ribbon produce to be brought as a gift offering. Nor does He ask Hebrews to
procure exotic fruits to present to the Temple. Instead, God requires “fruit of the ground, which you
shall gather in from your land…” The implication is that a man may be inclined to think that he donates
produce from his own land.
Not so, however. God requires Jews to bring “from your land that God your Almighty gives you.” In
addition, we speak of common produce that a man brings into his house to eat and enjoy. Of that
routine bill of fare shall a Jew bring to the Temple before God, insofar as He gifted it to him.
Fair is fair, right? The Maker is the Owner, the Jews His subjects. Could anything be clearer? The land is
His and the nation is His flock. If there were ever a no-brainer, here we have it: All produce should
belong to God. But the Master does not desire what is legitimately His. He suffices with something quite
small. The first fruit to ripen is earmarked for the One Above.
