Exodus 23:16 - Firstfruits and harvest gratitude

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

וְחַג הַקָּצִיר בִּכּוּרֵי מַעֲשֶׂיךָ אֲשֶׁר תִּזְרַע בַּשָּׂדֶה וְחַג הָאָסִף בְּצֵאת הַשָּׁנָה בְּאָסְפְּךָ אֶת־מַעֲשֶׂיךָ מִן־הַשָּׂדֶה׃

English Translation

and the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is at the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

Transliteration

Vechag hakatzir bikurei ma'aseicha asher tizra basade vechag ha'asif betzeit hashanah be'ospecha et-ma'aseicha min-hasadeh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְחַ֤ג הַקָּצִיר֙ בִּכּוּרֵ֣י מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּזְרַ֖ע בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וְחַ֤ג הָֽאָסִף֙ בְּצֵ֣את הַשָּׁנָ֔ה בְּאׇסְפְּךָ֥ אֶֽת־מַעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ מִן־הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃

Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Exodus 23:16) discusses two of the three pilgrimage festivals (Shalosh Regalim): Chag HaKatzir (the Feast of Harvest, i.e., Shavuot) and Chag HaAsif (the Feast of Ingathering, i.e., Sukkot). These festivals are tied to the agricultural cycle in Eretz Yisrael, reflecting gratitude to Hashem for His blessings.

Chag HaKatzir (Shavuot)

Rashi explains that Chag HaKatzir refers to Shavuot, when the wheat harvest is gathered. The term "בִּכּוּרֵי מַעֲשֶׂיךָ" (the firstfruits of your labors) alludes to the bringing of the Bikkurim (firstfruits) to the Beit HaMikdash, as well as the Shtei HaLechem (Two Loaves) offering made from the new wheat (Menachot 84b). Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 8:1) elaborates that this festival marks the culmination of the barley harvest (from Pesach) and the beginning of the wheat harvest.

Chag HaAsif (Sukkot)

Rashi notes that Chag HaAsif is Sukkot, occurring at the end of the agricultural year when all produce is gathered from the fields. The phrase "בְּצֵאת הַשָּׁנָה" (at the end of the year) does not refer to the calendar year but to the completion of the harvest cycle (Rosh Hashanah 1:1). The Mishnah (Sukkah 1:1) teaches that this is when farmers bring their produce indoors before the rainy season begins.

Agricultural and Spiritual Significance

Gratitude to Hashem: The festivals emphasize recognizing Hashem as the source of sustenance. The Sforno explains that bringing firstfruits acknowledges that the land’s bounty comes from Divine providence.
Pilgrimage to Jerusalem: The Rambam (Hilchot Chagigah 1:1) highlights the obligation to appear before Hashem in the Beit HaMikdash during these festivals, reinforcing national unity and devotion.
Historical Remembrance: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 31:10) connects Shavuot to Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah) and Sukkot to the protection of the Clouds of Glory during the Exodus.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Chagigah 7a) derives from this verse that there is a mitzvah to rejoice on these festivals. Additionally, the Rambam (Hilchot Shemittah v’Yovel 13:4) teaches that these agricultural festivals remind us of the importance of supporting the poor and the Levites through tithes and gifts from the harvest.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 16a

The verse is referenced in the discussion about the timing of the festivals, particularly the Feast of Ingathering (Sukkot), and its relation to the agricultural cycle.

📖 Megillah 31a

The verse is cited in the context of the liturgical readings for festivals, emphasizing the connection between the agricultural seasons and the religious observances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the 'feast of harvest' and 'feast of ingathering' mentioned in Exodus 23:16?
A: The 'feast of harvest' refers to Shavuot, when the first fruits (bikkurim) of the wheat harvest were brought to the Temple. The 'feast of ingathering' is Sukkot, marking the end of the agricultural year when all produce was gathered. These are two of the three pilgrimage festivals (along with Pesach) when Jews would ascend to Jerusalem (Rashi on Exodus 23:16, Mishnah Bikkurim 1:3).

Q: Why does the Torah connect these holidays to agricultural cycles?
A: The Torah connects the festivals to agriculture to remind us that all blessings come from Hashem. By celebrating at harvest times, we acknowledge God's role in our material success (Rambam, Guide for the Perplexed 3:43). This also roots our spiritual observances in the natural world, showing Judaism's holistic view of life.

Q: What is the significance of bringing 'firstfruits' to the Temple?
A: Bringing the firstfruits (bikkurim) demonstrates that we prioritize our relationship with Hashem above material gain. By offering the very first produce, we show gratitude and recognize that everything belongs to God (Mishnah Bikkurim 3:1). This mitzvah also humbles us, as even kings would carry their baskets to the Temple (Deuteronomy 26:1-11).

Q: How do we observe these agricultural aspects of the holidays today?
A: Though we no longer bring sacrifices, we: 1) Count the Omer between Pesach and Shavuot, connecting the barley and wheat harvests (Leviticus 23:15-16), 2) Decorate sukkahs with agricultural motifs, 3) Recite special prayers for dew and rain during Sukkot and Pesach, and 4) Study the agricultural laws to maintain awareness of our connection to the land (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 489:1, 490:9).

Q: Why does the verse mention 'which you have sown in the field'?
A: This emphasizes that the mitzvah applies specifically to crops grown in the Land of Israel (Sifrei on Deuteronomy 26:2). The Talmud explains that the special holiness of the land makes its produce suitable for Temple offerings (Kiddushin 36b). This teaches us the unique spiritual significance of working the soil in Eretz Yisrael (Ramban on Leviticus 19:23).