About Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
Rabbi Jack Abramowitz served as Director of Programs for NCSY before becoming Associate Director of the Pepa and Rabbi Joseph Karasick Department of Synagogue Services. Rabbi Abramowitz holds degrees in Jewish studies, communications and Higher Education Administration. Among his accomplishments, he authored NCSY's Torah on One Foot series of educational pamphlets and created negiah.org, the first abstinence web site for Jewish teens. Rabbi Abramowitz is the author of The Shnayim Mikra Companion on Torah, The Nach Yomi Companion volumes 1 and 2 on the books of the Prophets and the Writings, and The Tzniyus Book.

Recent Posts

Taryag: A Mitzvah a Day

Questions? Contact us at taryag@ou.org

PARSHAT Re'eh
MITZVAH COUNTER
Mitzvos to date: 449
Positives:189
Negatives:260
That can be performed today:192
Plus those that can be performed only in Israel:20

449. Don’t Jump the Gun: The prohibition against eating first fruits prematurely


…and what you raise up with your hands. (Deuteronomy 12:17)

Bikkurim - first fruits - are another of the special gifts that were given to the kohein. These fruits were brought in a basket to the Temple, where they were handed to a kohein. The kohanim were not allowed to eat from them, however, until they were placed down in the Temple courtyard.

The reason that a kohein may not eat the first fruits prematurely - and a non-kohein may not eat them at all - was explained in Mitzvah #91: bikkurim are intended to remind people that all we have comes from God. When a person rejoices on his produce, he is to remember God and thank Him for the fruit by giving by giving this gift to the kohanim. The kohanim, of course, have to wait for this gift to be given to them before they partake. Being placed down in the azarah (the Temple courtyard) is when the bikkurim enter their domain.

This mitzvah applies at a time when the Temple service is in effect. It is discussed in the Talmud in tractate Makkos (18b-19b). It is codified in the Mishneh Torah in the third chapter of Hilchos Bikkurim. This mitzvah is #148 of the 365 negative mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos.



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