In the beginning of Perashat Ki Tabo, we read about bringing Bikkurim, the first fruits, every year to the Kohen in the Bet HaMiqdash. According to the Hakhamim, one only brings the first fruits from the seven special species that are associated with the land of Israel, which are wheat, barley, olives, dates, grapes, figs, and pomegranates. Furthermore, there are seven requirements for Bikkurim.
- They must be brought to the Bet HaMiqdash
- They are brought in baskets
- When you bring the first fruits, you must recite the six verses recorded in this week's Perashah that begin with ארמי אבד אבי
- A Qorban Shelamim, a peace offering, is also brought with the Bikkurim
- The Leviyyim would sing while the Bikkurim were brought.
- The Kohen and the owner of the first fruits wave the fruits together in all six directions.
- And lastly, when one brought Bikkurim, they could not return home the same day. They had to sleep that night in Yerushalayim
Like Terumah, only a Kohen can eat the Bikkurim. And if Kohanim or Leviyyim grew any of the seven species in their fields, they also brought Bikkurim. It's preferable to bring each one of the seven species in its own basket, but you could bring all of them in one basket if they are arranged separately. Barley was placed on the bottom, with the wheat on top of the barley. Then dates on top of the wheat and pomegranates on of top the dates. Figs on the top of the pomegranates and grapes around the figs. And each species should be separated by leaves or a similar separation.
Lastly, the proper time to bring the Bikkurim was between Shabu'ot and Sukkot. If you brought the Bikkurim after Sukkot, you would not recite the verses from the Torah. But even then you can only bring Bikkurim until the holiday of Hanukkah.
EMULATING HASHEM
Among the Missvot found in Perashat Ki Tabo is the Missvah of והלכת בדרכיו following the ways of HaShem. The Sefer HaHinukh explained that this means that we must make sure that everything that we do is good and upright, and we must always deal with others in a kind and merciful way. The Rabbis explained that this Missvah is a commandment to emulate HaShem. Be merciful like HaShem, be gracious like HaShem,be righteous like HaShem, be holy like HaShem and so on.
This Missvah requires us to constantly work on our character traits in order to elevate our level of conduct, especially when dealing with others. Furthermore one should avoid extremes when it comes to eating and drinking, sleeping, managing finances, and other aspects of human conduct. One should aim to conduct themselves in a reasonable way, controlling their desires and directing their focus and attention on loving HaShem and following His Ways as described in the Torah. This is a Missvah that applies to both men and women at all times and in all places. This Missvah is a great challenge which requires tremendous spiritual growth to perfect. It's a lifetime of striving towards the highest standards of conduct both personally and in our interactions in society.