Mitzvah —
272
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וְעָנִ֨יתָ וְאָמַרְתָּ֜ לִפְנֵ֣י ׀ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ אֲרַמִּי֙ אֹבֵ֣ד אָבִ֔י וַיֵּ֣רֶד מִצְרַ֔יְמָה וַיָּ֥גׇר שָׁ֖ם בִּמְתֵ֣י מְעָ֑ט וַֽיְהִי־שָׁ֕ם לְג֥וֹי גָּד֖וֹל עָצ֥וּם וָרָֽב׃ - פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא
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Deuteronomy 26:5 - "And you shall call out and say before the Lord, your God, "An Aramean [sought to] destroy my forefather, and he went down to Egypt and sojourned there with a small number of people, and there, he became a great, mighty, and numerous nation."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
When bringing Bikkurim (first fruits) to the Temple, one must recite the Mikra Bikkurim passage from the Torah, recounting the history of Israel and thanking Hashem for the land and its produce.
This mitzvah commands that a person bringing Bikkurim to the Temple must recite a special passage (Deuteronomy 26:5–10), known as Mikra Bikkurim. The text recalls the descent to Egypt, the suffering and redemption, and the gift of the land of Israel.
By speaking these words, the farmer connects his personal produce to the national story of redemption, affirming gratitude to Hashem for both historical salvation and present sustenance. This transforms an agricultural act into a declaration of faith, history, and thanksgiving.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Bikkurim 3:6): States that Mikra Bikkurim must be recited by every person who brings Bikkurim, tying their personal gift to the collective redemption of Israel.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 606): Explains that the declaration instills gratitude, reminding each Jew that their produce is part of Hashem’s covenant and kindness.
- Mishnah (Bikkurim 3:6–7): Describes how rich and poor alike recited the same words, showing equality before Hashem in gratitude.
- Talmud (Pesachim 116a): Notes that the Mikra Bikkurim passage forms the core of the Passover Haggadah, emphasizing its centrality in Jewish memory.
- Rashi (Deuteronomy 26:5): Comments that “An Aramean sought to destroy my father” refers to Laban, showing that Israel’s survival and fruitfulness are acts of Divine protection.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 606) teaches that the declaration of Mikra Bikkurim strengthens faith by tying the fruit of the land to Hashem’s promises and covenant. By publicly affirming that our history and blessings come from Him, the farmer expresses living faith.
Gratitude – הוֹדָיָה
- Mishnah (Bikkurim 3:6–7) describes how all who brought Bikkurim recited the same passage regardless of wealth. This declaration cultivated gratitude, reminding everyone — rich or poor — that their bounty is from Hashem.
Speech – דָּבָר
- Talmud (Sotah 32b) notes that the recitation had to be spoken aloud, emphasizing the role of speech in sanctifying mitzvot. The words of Mikra Bikkurim turn a physical act into a spiritual declaration.
Blessing – בְּרָכָה
- Talmud (Pesachim 116a) connects Mikra Bikkurim to the Passover Haggadah, showing that the declaration is itself a form of blessing and praise, recounting Hashem’s kindness from Egypt to the Land.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rambam (Hilchot Bikkurim 3:6) explains that reciting Mikra Bikkurim sanctifies the act of bringing the fruit, reminding us that agricultural success is elevated into holy service through words of Torah.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- Rashi (Deuteronomy 26:5) explains that the declaration ties the fruit of the land to the historical journey from Egypt to Israel. It highlights that the sanctity of the land itself is bound up in the mitzvah.
Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
- The mitzvah required the farmer to recite this passage in the Temple itself, linking their personal produce to national worship and reinforcing Jerusalem as the center of holiness.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- The public nature of Mikra Bikkurim — said in the presence of priests and others — created a communal acknowledgment of Hashem’s kindness, uniting individuals into a collective expression of gratitude.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Sefer HaChinuch emphasizes that the declaration fosters awe by making the farmer reflect on Hashem’s salvation throughout history, leading to greater humility and reverence.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- The declaration is a direct conversation with Hashem: recounting the redemption, praising His gifts, and affirming loyalty. It deepens the bond between man and G-d through words of Torah and gratitude.
