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Leviticus 19:24 - Fourth-year fruits: holy thanksgiving

Leviticus 19:24 - ויקרא 19:24

Hebrew Text

וּבַשָּׁנָה הָרְבִיעִת יִהְיֶה כָּל־פִּרְיוֹ קֹדֶשׁ הִלּוּלִים לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy for praisegiving to the Lord.

Transliteration

Uvashana harevi'it yihye kol-piryo kodesh hilulim lahashem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבַשָּׁנָה֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔ת יִהְיֶ֖ה כׇּל־פִּרְי֑וֹ קֹ֥דֶשׁ הִלּוּלִ֖ים לַיהֹוָֽה׃
וּבַשָּׁנָה֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔ת יִהְיֶ֖ה כׇּל־פִּרְי֑וֹ קֹ֥דֶשׁ הִלּוּלִ֖ים לַיהֹוָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Vayikra 19:24) discusses the laws of orlah (forbidden fruit of a tree's first three years) and the sanctity of fruit in its fourth year. This mitzvah is part of the agricultural laws given to Bnei Yisrael upon entering Eretz Yisrael.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the fourth-year fruits are designated as "holy for praisegiving to the Lord" (hilulim laHashem), meaning they must be eaten in Yerushalayim with purity, similar to ma'aser sheni (second tithe). The term "hilulim" refers to praising Hashem through joyful consumption in the holy city.

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Hilchos Ma'aser Sheni (2:1-3), the Rambam rules that fourth-year fruits must be brought to Yerushalayim and eaten there by their owner in a state of ritual purity. If bringing them is impractical, they may be redeemed (with added 1/5 value), and the money used to purchase food in Yerushalayim.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 25:4) connects this mitzvah to the concept of gratitude: Just as a child matures by year four, these fruits represent our acknowledgment of Hashem's bounty after the tree's initial growth period.

Symbolic Meaning

  • Three Years of Orlah: Represent the initial immature stage where fruit is forbidden, parallel to human development phases.
  • Fourth Year Sanctity: Demonstrates dedicating our "first mature produce" to spiritual purposes before personal benefit.

Practical Halachic Considerations

The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 294) discusses details of this mitzvah, including:

  • The requirement to verbally declare the fruit's sanctity
  • Prohibition against eating it outside Yerushalayim
  • Modern application in lands outside Eretz Yisrael (subject to debate among poskim)

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 35a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the fruits of the fourth year (Neta Reva'i) and their sanctity.
📖 Rosh Hashanah 9b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the counting of years for trees and the sanctity of their fruits in the fourth year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 19:24 mean about the fourth year's fruit?
A: Leviticus 19:24 teaches that fruits from a tree's fourth year must be treated as holy and brought to Jerusalem to be eaten there in praise of Hashem. This is part of the laws of Orlah (forbidden fruits in the first three years) and Netah Revai (fourth-year fruits). Rashi explains that these fruits are 'holy' and must be consumed in purity within Jerusalem, similar to second tithe (Ma'aser Sheni).
Q: Why is the fourth year's fruit considered holy?
A: The fourth year's fruit is holy because the Torah designates it as 'Hilulim LaHashem' (praisegiving to the Lord). Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aser Sheni 9:1) explains that these fruits are set aside to express gratitude to Hashem for the bounty of the Land of Israel. Eating them in Jerusalem elevates the physical act of eating into a spiritual experience.
Q: How is the law of fourth-year fruits applied today?
A: Today, since we lack the Temple and widespread ritual purity, fourth-year fruits (Netah Revai) are treated differently. According to halacha, their holiness is redeemed with coins (similar to Pidyon), and the money is brought to Jerusalem or destroyed. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 294) details these practical applications based on Talmudic sources.
Q: What is the spiritual lesson of dedicating fourth-year fruits?
A: The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 25:6) teaches that dedicating fourth-year fruits trains us in gratitude and restraint. Just as we wait three years before benefiting from a tree (Orlah), the fourth year's dedication reminds us that material blessings ultimately belong to Hashem. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 247) adds that this mitzvah strengthens our connection to the Land of Israel and its holiness.