Weekly Torah Lesson
Parasha: Ki Tavo – when you come in
Torah: Devarim 26:1 – 29:9
** The T’rumah is sometimes listed as a “heave” or “free will” offering of the following:
a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; (De 8:8)
It is given directly to the priests that are serving in the Temple. There are no specific amounts listed nor any specific requirements for the elaborate baskets that carried the produce to the priests who acted as agents for Avinu.
This gift is a compilation of the “First Fruits” of the annual crop. It is to be not only the “first” fruits to appear but it is to be the “best” that the farmer has to offer. It is estimated that these gifts represented approximately two – three percent of the total harvest. The T’rumah was taken before the first and second tithes were set aside.
1 And it shall be, when you are come in to the land which Avinu Elohekah gives you for an inheritance, and possess it, and dwell therein; 2 That you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which you shall bring of your land that Avinu Elohekah gives you, and shall put it in a basket, and shall go to the place which Avinu Elohekah shall choose to place his name there. 3 And you shall go to the priest that shall be in those days, and say to him, I profess this day to Avinu Elohekah, that I am come to the country which Avinu swore to our fathers to give us. 4 And the priest shall take the basket out of your hand, and set it down before the altar of Avinu Elohekah. 5 And you shall speak and say before Avinu Elohekah, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Mitzryim, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous: 6 And the Mitzryimians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid on us hard bondage: 7 And when we cried to Avinu, Elohei avoteinu, Avinu heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labor, and our oppression: 8 And Avinu brought us forth out of Mitzryim with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders: 9 And he has brought us into this place, and has given us this land, even a land that flows with milk and honey. 10 And now, behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land, which you, O Avinu, have given me. And you shall set it before Avinu Elohekah, and worship before Avinu Elohekah: 11 And you shall rejoice in every good thing which Avinu Elohekah has given to you, and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you. (Devarim 26:1-11)
** The ”gifts” and the statement by the farmer is “proof” that Avinu keeps His Promises!
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