ביכורים

The Netivot Shalom devotes almost his entire commentary of פרשת כי תבוא to the ceremony of the offering of ביכורים, the first fruits. The ביכורים represents a reward for entering Eretz Yisrael. It represents the culmination of having been in Exile, and that now we have come home. The proof of this point, is that this Mitzva began fourteen years after entering the Land, when wars were fought, and each tribe received its respective portion. The וידוי ביכורים, the confession that accompanied the gift to the Kohein, was a very powerful statement. It attested to the fact that we are the עם הנבחר, the chosen people, and that we merited living the dream of being able to live in our chosen land. When we bring the first fruit of our labor, that we spent many months with sweat and toil, to the Beit Hamikdash, the joy is overwhelming. We are now safe and in our home. And we express gratitude for Hashem’s abundant blessings. The ביכורים is a very unique and special ceremony during the time of the Temple.