Parshat Bereshit begins with the words, “When God began to create heaven and earth” Bereshit 1:1). The first word of the Torah, however, is grammatically perplexing. “Reshit” is an ordinal number, meaning, “First.” Thus, the Midrash interprets the Torah’s first word to mean that the world was created for the sake of that which is called “First,” namely, the “First Fruits,” or “Bikkurim” (Bereshit Rabbah 1:4). Why is the mitzvah of Bikkurim, the bringing of the First Fruits, such a significant mitzvah that Chazal would tell us the world was created for its sake?

According to Rav Moshe Feinstein in his Derash Moshe, the First Fruits only really have significance to the owner. After all, the owner, or the farmer, worked very hard for those fruits. To the owner, those First Fruits hold so much meaning – they represent all the hardship and work, all of the love and care he put into his fields and trees, his orchards and vineyards in order to make healthy, nutritious food. However, the owner’s First Fruits have almost no meaning to others. What does a purchaser care which number apple the one he is purchasing was? He doesn’t care! All he cares about if it is sweet or not, if it is soft or firm, large or small. Similarly, even the Kohen, before whom the owner presents his First Fruits in the Temple, does not really care. All the Kohen cares about is performing the mitzvah! To the Kohen, this farmer’s fruits is just like all the other fruit he has seen and will see that day.

However, to the owner, his fruit is the most special thing in the world! And so, asks Rav Moshe, “Why should he give his fruit to the Kohen?” Why shouldn’t the owner “pay their amount, and give another in its place?” Like the first dollar a millionaire ever made which he frames and never spends, this owner too may not wish to give away that which is so meaningful to him, especially when no one else can understand its real value. Nonetheless, the mitzvah is to give the First Fruits, specifically – the owner cannot switch them around or make substitutions. Part of the reason why this is so important, is because when we take something that is so meaningful to us, and we use it for the sake of a mitzvah, we demonstrate how much we love mitzvot, how dear they are to us. It is hard to give away, to sacrifice or contribute something precious to us. But when we do that – whether it be with money or other resources, with time or attention, we demonstrate how important that mitzvah is to us, and that attitude inspires others to want to give of themselves, of their very best, of their most precious for the sake of mitzvot as well. This is why the world was created of the sake of the First Fruits, because it shows us how every individual can demonstrate their love for mitzvot, and for the that reason, God chose to create the world.

This Shabbat, let us consider those things in our lives that are significant or precious only to us – something no one else would or could understand. Let us consider how when we give that which we cherish, we show our love for mitzvot and the Torah, and also, when we do so, we inspire others as well. The world was created for the sake of expanding Torah and God’s kingship over all, but the very first place is start is with that which is called “First” to us.

Shabbat Shalom

-Rabbi Dan