This week’s parsha begins: “And when you come into the land which the Hashem your G-d gives you for an inheritance, and you inherit it and settle it. And you shall take from the first fruit… to the place that Hashem will chose.” (Devarim 26:1-2)

This is the Mitzvah of “bikurim,” first fruits. This is one of the Mitzvos connected to Eretz Yisrael. When a person grows one of the seven species of fruit for which Eretz Yisrael is distinguished, he must bring a sample of the new crop to the Beis Hamikdash. There he gives the fruit to a Cohen, the representative of the Almighty. He then makes a recitation describing how the Almighty took us out of Egypt and brought us to Eretz Yisrael. Our Rabbis teach us that the purpose of this Mitzvah is to give us the recognition and appreciation that all the blessings in life come from the Almighty.

Our Rabbis further derive from the words “you inherit it and settle it” that this Mitzvah didn’t apply when the Jewish People first entered the land. Only after fourteen years of conquering and settling did bikurim go into effect. Not only bikurim, but in fact all the Mitzvos of Eretz Yisrael such as tithes and gifts of the field for the poor were learned from this Mitzvah and weren’t applicable until after the Jewish People settled down.

Why weren’t the Mitzvos of Eretz Yisrael applicable until after the settlement of the land, and why was the Mitzvah of bikurim singled out to teach this rule?

To properly appreciate the goodness of the Almighty we must be in the proper frame of mind. Only after the war with the Canaanites, after everyone settled onto his own parcel of land, did the People have the peace of mind to truly recognize the blessing of the Almighty. Indeed performing any Mitzvah needs a calm, peaceful state of being. This is certainly true regarding the Mitzvah of bikurim, which is in essence showing appreciation of the Almighty.

From here we learn the importance of peace of mind. The Mitzvos can only be fulfilled in their totality in a calm state of mind. It takes a lot of work on oneself to attain a calm state of mind amidst the trials of life. It comes from faith and trust in the Almighty that all our needs are cared for. When we attain this character quality we will have truly attained a wonderful virtue.

Thank you again Rabbi Glaser

Shab-bass Shalom

Rb Yossi