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by Rabbi Yoni Rom, 5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher

This week’s פרשה begins with a very unique commandment called Bikkurim. This commandment requires a farmer to bring his “first” fruits to the בית המקדש, Holy Temple, to be waved before the מזבח and eaten by the כהן, priest. In other words, when one of the seven species (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates) ripens at the beginning of the harvest, the owner wraps a red string around that fruit. After it falls from the tree, he brings it to the Holy Temple between Shavous and Succot. He also reads about six verses from the Torah which thank God for taking us out of Egypt, bringing us to the land of Israel, and giving us fruit.

This commandment is of utmost importance. The first verse in the Torah tells us “בראשית ברא אלקים את השמים ואת הארץ” - In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. The Midrash expounds on the word בראשית to explain בשביל ראשית, because of the beginning. The Midrash explains that the world was created because of Bikkurim which are called ראשית. What is so valuable about this Mitzva?

I think the answer is based on one of the most fundamental Jewish beliefs, הכרת הטוב, recognizing the good (see Sefer Hachinuch Mitzva 91 for a similar explanation). We need to realize that God is giving us our food and livelihood. The first sight of fruit is an extremely joyous time for any farmer. All of the work he exerted during the fall and winter to plow, plant, and grow his plants is finally coming to fruition. Precisely at this moment, he wraps a string around the fruit and thanks God. 

With this idea in mind, we can explain why this פרשה is read every year very close to ראש השנה. I heard a few years ago that Rabbi Avigdor Miller zt”l would thank God for all the good he received during the previous year on the first night of Rosh Hoshana. The basic idea is that if we are thankful to God for the good which he bestows on us, He will want to give us more. Conversely, if someone is not thankful, God is not “motivated” to give him more. 

We try very hard to teach our students the idea of הכרת הטוב through Bentching (grace after meals), Brachot (blessings), and many other Mitzvot connected to this idea. Additionally, in the Learning Shabbat Elective (with grades 4-6), we are studying Masechet Bikkurim which deals with the laws and procedure of this holy Mitzvah extensively.

Shabbat Shalom

Weekend Birthdays: 9/22 Noa Weisbrod, 9/28 Yonatan Emsallem

Most up to date calendar and changes on website at www.torahacademy.org/calendar

Upcoming Dates to Remember

September 20-21: MafTeach Fellowship Shabbat (flyer)

September 22: Flu Clinic, 11-1 pm (THIS SUNDAY - flyer)

September 24: Senior & Freshman Speech Photos, 4 pm

September 29: Community Wide Apple Picking, 1-4 pm, Lynd's Fruit Farm (flyer)

September 30: Kindergarten & 12th Grade Apple Picking Field Trip

October 2: Erev Rosh Hashanah, Early Dismissal, 12 noon

October 3-4: Rosh Hashanah

October 9: The Wellness Institute Parent Webinar: Emotion Regulation Skills, 8 pm (flyer and registration link)

October 11: Erev Yom Kippur, Early Dismissal, 12 noon

October 11: Uniform Logo Deadline

October 14: CTA and Gan PTO presents Family Sukkah Art & Dinner, 5:30 pm

*All events at CTA unless noted

Details at www.torahacademy.org/calendar

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

School Pictures: School picture proofs will be sent home in a few weeks, when ready. You do not need to pre-order pictures. Retakes are on November 6. www.ripchostudio.com

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Uniform Deadline: Friday, October 11 is the next deadline for Uniform Logos. Please bring items to Front Desk at school before 2 pm on the deadline. Make sure items are in labeled zippered plastic bags. Cost is $7 per item. Details and payment link can be found at www.torahacademy.org/uniforms

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