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Exodus 34:26 - Firstfruits and kosher law

Exodus 34:26 - שמות 34:26

Hebrew Text

רֵאשִׁית בִּכּוּרֵי אַדְמָתְךָ תָּבִיא בֵּית יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לֹא־תְבַשֵּׁל גְּדִי בַּחֲלֵב אִמּוֹ׃

English Translation

The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring to the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.

Transliteration

Reishit bikurei admatcha tavi beit Adonai Eloheicha lo-tevashel gedi bachaleiv imo.

Hebrew Leining Text

רֵאשִׁ֗ית בִּכּוּרֵי֙ אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔ תָּבִ֕יא בֵּ֖ית יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לֹא־תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל גְּדִ֖י בַּחֲלֵ֥ב אִמּֽוֹ׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
רֵאשִׁ֗ית בִּכּוּרֵי֙ אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔ תָּבִ֕יא בֵּ֖ית יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לֹא־תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל גְּדִ֖י בַּחֲלֵ֥ב אִמּֽוֹ׃ {פ}

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Parasha Commentary

Firstfruits (Bikkurim) and the Prohibition of Cooking a Kid in its Mother's Milk

The verse contains two distinct mitzvot: the commandment to bring the firstfruits (bikkurim) to the Beit HaMikdash and the prohibition against cooking a kid in its mother's milk. These mitzvot appear together in Parshat Mishpatim (Shemot 23:19) and are repeated in Parshat Ki Tisa (Shemot 34:26) and Parshat Re'eh (Devarim 14:21).

1. The Mitzvah of Bikkurim (Firstfruits)

Rashi (on Shemot 23:19) explains that "the first of the firstfruits of thy land" refers to the obligation to bring the very first ripened produce to the Beit HaMikdash as an offering to Hashem. The Mishnah in Bikkurim (3:1) details the ceremony, where farmers would bring their firstfruits in baskets and recite a declaration of gratitude (Devarim 26:5-10).

  • Symbolism: The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:39) teaches that bringing bikkurim cultivates humility and gratitude, recognizing that the land and its produce are gifts from Hashem.
  • Priority to Hashem: The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 91) emphasizes that dedicating the firstfruits to Hashem demonstrates that all blessings come from Him and must be sanctified before personal use.

2. The Prohibition of Cooking a Kid in its Mother's Milk

This prohibition appears three times in the Torah, leading Chazal to derive three distinct laws (Chullin 115b):

  • 1. Assur b'achilah – Forbidden to eat such a mixture.
  • 2. Assur b'hana'ah – Forbidden to derive benefit from it.
  • 3. Assur b'hadlah – Forbidden to cook meat and milk together.

Rashi (on Shemot 23:19) explains that this mitzvah is a chuk (a statute beyond human reasoning), though some commentators suggest ethical reasons:

  • Compassion: The Ramban (on Devarim 14:21) writes that cooking a kid in its mother's milk is an act of cruelty, as it perverts the natural nurturing relationship.
  • Separation of Life and Death: The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 92) explains that milk sustains life, while meat (from a slaughtered animal) represents death; mixing them is morally contradictory.

Connection Between the Two Mitzvot

The juxtaposition of these mitzvot teaches a deeper lesson. The Kli Yakar (on Shemot 23:19) explains that bringing bikkurim symbolizes recognizing Hashem's kindness, while the prohibition of cooking a kid in its mother's milk represents avoiding cruelty. Together, they emphasize that serving Hashem requires both positive acts of gratitude and moral restraint.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 113b
The verse is discussed in the context of the prohibition of cooking a kid in its mother's milk, which is one of the three times this commandment appears in the Torah, leading to various rabbinic interpretations and laws.
📖 Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael Mishpatim 20
Although not part of the Babylonian Talmud, the Mekhilta, a tannaitic midrash, discusses this verse in relation to the separation of meat and milk, expanding on the biblical prohibition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'the first of the firstfruits of thy land' mean in Exodus 34:26?
A: This verse commands Jews to bring the first and choicest produce (bikkurim) from their fields to the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) as an offering to Hashem. This mitzvah teaches gratitude to G-d for the land's bounty. The Mishnah (Bikkurim 3:1) describes how farmers would bring these firstfruits with great ceremony to Jerusalem.
Q: Why does the Torah prohibit boiling a kid in its mother's milk?
A: This prohibition (appearing 3 times in the Torah) is the source for the kosher laws separating meat and milk. Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:48) explains it teaches compassion by not mixing life (milk) with death (meat). The Talmud (Chullin 115b) expands this to all meat-dairy mixtures and establishes waiting periods between eating them.
Q: Why are these two commandments placed together in one verse?
A: Rashi explains that juxtaposing these mitzvot teaches that just as firstfruits must be brought to the Temple (a positive commandment), the meat-milk prohibition (a negative commandment) must be observed with equal seriousness. The Sifrei notes this shows all mitzvot - between man and G-d or man and man - are equally important.
Q: How do we observe the firstfruits commandment today without the Temple?
A: While we can't bring physical bikkurim today, the Talmud (Berachot 40a) teaches we fulfill its spirit by reciting blessings over food. Many have the custom to symbolically separate the first fruits (like from a new tree) and give them to a kohen or charity, as the Shulchan Aruch (YD 331) discusses regarding terumah and maaser.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from the meat-milk prohibition?
A: The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 92) explains this teaches us to avoid cruelty and develop sensitivity. Just as we shouldn't use a mother's milk to cook her offspring, we must be mindful of all creatures' feelings. This shapes the Jewish approach to ethical eating and compassion in all relationships.