Firstfruits: Giving God Our BestSample

Giving Back

Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you. — DEUTERONOMY 16:10

The overall idea behind the giving of firstfruits is expressing our gratitude to God. However, the means by which we fully achieve this goal is giving back to God from what He has given us. It’s interesting to note that the law specified the only fruits that qualified as firstfruits were those from the seven species of the land of Israel.

While today, Israel may be known for its famous Jaffa oranges, Scripture specifies that there are only seven types of produce indigenous to the land of Israel. They are “wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and (date) honey” (Deuteronomy 8:8). It was from these seven species alone that the firstfruits were brought.

God wanted the experience of “giving back” to represent what the Israelites had received. These fruits emphasized the land of Israel and that God had given them the land. Similarly, when we give to God’s purposes, we are to give from what God has blessed us with. We all have been gifted with talents, treasures, and blessings. It is from what we have received from God that we are to give back to Him.

Another aspect of giving firstfruits is that the Israelites were required to bring the best of their harvest: “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God” (Exodus 34:26). Maimonides, the renowned 12th century rabbi and scholar, explained that whenever we give to God’s purposes, it must always be the best that we have to offer.

He wrote, “Everything that is for the sake of God should be of the best and most beautiful. When one builds a house of prayer, it should be more beautiful than his own dwelling. When one feeds the hungry, he should feed him of the best and sweetest of his table. Whenever one designates something for a holy purpose, he should sanctify the finest of his possessions.” When giving back to God, we must do so in the way that gives God the most glory. This represents our complete and boundless gratitude for what we have.

Bikkurim reminds us to establish priorities in our lives. We remember that for all we have received, it is our privilege and responsibility to give back to God’s purposes. As we bless others, may we be blessed in return.