share torah logo

Leviticus 23:10 - Firstfruits gratitude offering commanded

Leviticus 23:10 - ויקרא 23:10

Hebrew Text

דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם כִּי־תָבֹאוּ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם וּקְצַרְתֶּם אֶת־קְצִירָהּ וַהֲבֵאתֶם אֶת־עֹמֶר רֵאשִׁית קְצִירְכֶם אֶל־הַכֹּהֵן׃

English Translation

Speak to the children of Yisra᾽el, and say to them, When you are come to the land which I give to you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring an ῾omer of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest:

Transliteration

Daber el-bnei Yisrael ve'amarta alehem ki-tavo'u el-ha'aretz asher ani noten lakhem u'kzartem et-k'tzirah va'haveitem et-omer reishit k'tzirkhem el-hakohen.

Hebrew Leining Text

דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כִּֽי־תָבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֲנִי֙ נֹתֵ֣ן לָכֶ֔ם וּקְצַרְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־קְצִירָ֑הּ וַהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם אֶת־עֹ֛מֶר רֵאשִׁ֥ית קְצִירְכֶ֖ם אֶל־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃
דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כִּֽי־תָבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֲנִי֙ נֹתֵ֣ן לָכֶ֔ם וּקְצַרְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־קְצִירָ֑הּ וַהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם אֶת־עֹ֛מֶר רֵאשִׁ֥ית קְצִירְכֶ֖ם אֶל־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Commandment of the Omer Offering

The verse (Vayikra 23:10) introduces the mitzvah of bringing the Omer offering from the first barley harvest in Eretz Yisrael. Rashi explains that this offering marks the beginning of the harvest season and serves as a declaration that all produce is ultimately from Hashem. The Omer must be brought before any new grain may be eaten (Chullin 137b), teaching us the principle of hiddur mitzvah—giving our first and best to Hashem.

Connection to Eretz Yisrael

Rambam (Hilchot Temidin u'Musafin 7:2) emphasizes that this mitzvah applies only when the majority of the Jewish people dwell in Eretz Yisrael. The Sforno notes that the phrase "the land which I give to you" highlights that our right to the land and its produce comes solely from Divine gift, not human conquest.

Spiritual Significance

  • The Omer offering begins the 49-day count to Shavuot (Menachot 65b), symbolizing our spiritual preparation from physical harvest to receiving the Torah.
  • Bringing it to the Kohen represents submitting our material success to spiritual leadership (Kli Yakar).
  • The barley offering (animal food) at Pesach contrasts with the wheat offering (human food) at Shavuot, showing our elevation from slavery to Torah recipients (Talmud Yerushalmi, Rosh Hashanah 1:3).

Agricultural Laws

The Mishnah (Menachot 10:3-4) details the precise harvesting procedure: reaping specifically for the mitzvah, gathering in a particular manner, and bringing it to the Beit HaMikdash. The Rambam (Hilchot Temidin u'Musafin 7:6-7) explains these requirements teach that even agricultural work must be done with kedusha when performed for mitzvah purposes.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Menachot 65b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the Omer offering, specifically the timing and manner of bringing the first sheaf of the harvest to the priest.
📖 Chullin 137b
Referenced in a discussion about the agricultural laws and the obligations of the Israelites upon entering the land, particularly in relation to firstfruits and offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the 'omer' refer to in Leviticus 23:10?
A: The 'omer' refers to a specific measure (about 2 liters) of the first harvested barley that the Jewish people were commanded to bring to the Kohen (priest) in the Temple. This offering marked the beginning of the counting of the Omer, leading up to the holiday of Shavuot (Rashi on Leviticus 23:10, Menachot 65b).
Q: Why is bringing the first fruits (omer) important in Judaism?
A: Bringing the first fruits demonstrates gratitude to Hashem for the harvest and acknowledges that the land and its produce belong to Him. It also symbolizes our dependence on Him for sustenance. The mitzvah teaches humility and recognition of divine providence (Rambam, Hilchot Temidin u'Musafin 7:22).
Q: Does the commandment of the omer still apply today?
A: Since the omer offering was brought in the Temple, it is not practiced today in the same way. However, we still count the Omer each night for 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot to commemorate this mitzvah and spiritually prepare for receiving the Torah (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 489:1).
Q: What is the connection between the omer and Shavuot?
A: The omer offering begins a 49-day count (Sefirat HaOmer) leading to Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Just as the physical harvest was dedicated to Hashem, we use this time to spiritually refine ourselves in preparation for receiving the Torah anew (Midrash Rabbah, Vayikra 28:6).
Q: Why was barley specifically chosen for the omer offering?
A: Barley ripens first in the spring (around Pesach time) and was considered animal fodder, showing humility in our service to Hashem. The progression from barley (Omer) to wheat (Shavuot) also symbolizes our spiritual elevation from the Exodus to receiving the Torah (Talmud, Menachot 68b).