A Brief Overview of the Mitzvah of Bikkurim A farmer in Israel goes out to his field and finds budding fruit from one of the seven species (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates). He ties a reed around them and declares them to be bikkurim, first fruits. These fruits were packed in containers. If you were wealthy the containers were made of silver and gold. If you were poor the containers were made of grass and reeds. Between Shavuos and Succos these first fruits were brought to the Beis HaMikdash. How much are we obligated to bring? There is no amount too large but the minimum amount is one sixtieth of your crop. When it came time to go to Yerushalayim everyone would gather in a central location and sleep there for the night. In the morning the leader would call out, “Arise and let us ascend to Zion, to G‑d our L‑rd.” Those who lived near brought fresh figs and grapes but those from a distance brought dried figs and raisins. An ox with horns bedecked with gold and with an olive crown on its head (representing the seven species from which the first fruits were taken) led the way. The flute was played before them until they approached Yerushalayim. As they were marching to Yerushalayim the people would call out, “I rejoiced when it was told me: ‘Let us go to the house of G‑d.” As they were travelling others would join their procession. When they arrived close to Yerushalayim they arranged their bikkurim in a decorative display. The Governors and Chiefs an
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