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Parshas Ki Savo August 28th 2021 20 Elul 5781
Parsha Summary and Discussion
Parshas Ki Savo begins with the mitzvah of Bikkurim. When springtime pulls in, the farmer’s job is to watch his crops to make sure that all his work in the field, planting and sowing, is yielding results on schedule. You know how it is when you plant a tomato seed in the backyard and wait eagerly for the first tomato to sprout. Well, imagine digging up a backyard of hundreds of acres and spending weeks toiling in the heat to plow the earth with only a plow pulled by an ox (no tractors in those days!).
When that first fruit sprouts, you’re jumping for joy! So here’s what Hashem has in mind: When the farmer sees that first fruit, he runs back to the house, grabs a string and ties it around that fruit or stalk, and declares. "This is Bikurim."
This Mitzvah only applies to the seven famous fruits of Eretz Yisroel: 1. wheat, 2. barley, 3. figs 4. pomegranates 5. olives 6. dates and 7. grapes. and does not apply during a Shmita year, when the land rests.
The first of any or all of these famous seven Minim (species), must be marked and brought to Yerushalayim. This is called “Bikurim.” Bikurim are a gift for Hashem and is presented to Hashem as you'd give a present to your friend, in a nice basket. The best time to bring Bikurim is between Shavuot and Sukkot (but you can still bring Bikurim until Chanukah if need be.)
In the time of the Beis Hamikdash, when this Mitzvah was in full swing, Bikurim was a big event that involved the whole family and friends in a pompous procession. Out in front, an ox preceded the group. Its horns were covered with gold and it wore an olive wreath around its neck. This ox will later be a Korban Shlamim.
Discuss – Why is it so important to give the first fruits back to Hashem? Why are we doing this?
As you would approach the city of Yerushalayim, you’d be greeted by crowds of people from the city and the music of flutes. On Har Habayis (the Temple Mount), as you approach the Beis Hamikdash, you place your basket of first fruits on your shoulder and enter the Azara, the courtyard of the Beis Hamikdash. A Kohain hooks up with you there for the final ritual.
The Kohain places his hands underneath the basket while you hold the rim. Then, together, you wave the basket in four directions. This is called “tenufa,” - to show that it belongs to Hashem. Then the basket was placed in front of the Mizbayach (Altar) and you recite the verses which remind us that Yaakov arrived in Mitzrayim with only seventy people who multiplied. The Egyptians were prevented by Hashem from destroying these Bnei Yisroel. In the end, Hashem took Bnei Yisroel out of Mitzrayim and returned them to Eretz Yisroel. To thank Hashem, we present these Bikurim.
The first fruits are then eaten by the Kohain, who has no land and is dedicated to the service of Hashem. This is Hashem's gift to the Kohain.
The farmer stayed at least overnight in Yerushalayim, absorbing the holiness of Yerushalayim and the Beis Hamikdash before returning home.
Discuss- Why all the fanfare – we don’t do this by other Mitzvot?
For a farmer, the seven year Shmita cycle is filled with lots of Ma’aser moments. There’s Teruma for the Kohain, Ma’aser Rishon for the Levi, Ma’aser Sheini which the farmer himself eats in Yerushalayim, and Ma’aser Ani for the poor (in the third and sixth year of the cycle). A farmer has to keep track of all of these portions that he gives away. Once every three years, during the fourth and seventh years of the Shmita cycle, the farmer goes through his books to make sure he has fulfilled his obligations of Ma’aser. If he finds that he missed a Ma’aser, he’s got the opportunity now to do the Mitzvah. On the last day of Pesach during the fourth and seventh years, the farmer says a special “Viduy,” the “Viduy Ma’aser.” It may be recited anywhere, but it is preferable to recite it at the Beis Hamikdash in Yerushalayim. In this prayer the farmer declares to Hashem that he has separated all his Ma’asrot correctly. The farmer asks Hashem to fulfill his end of the bargain and bless the Bnei Yisroel with rain and an abundance of produce. Moshe is commanded to set up twelve giant stones in the plains of Moav. Each stone was plastered and engraved with the entire Torah in 70 languages. (They must've been mighty big stones, or else it was just another miracle). These stones are to remind this generation of Bnei Yisroel entering the land that they must keep the Torah. If the Bnei Yisroel neglect the Torah, they will not be allowed to keep the land.
Discuss – Why did Moshe write it in 70 languages?
Hashem also commands the next leader of Bnei Yisroel, Yehoshua, to set up 12 stones on the spot where the Bnei Yisroel cross the Jordan River into Eretz Yisroel.
Additionally, when Hashem splits the Jordan River, 12 stones are to be removed from the river and carried to Har Eival, a mountain in the center of Eretz Yisroel. There, Yehoshua would construct a Mizbayach (altar) with these stones. The entire Torah would then be engraved in these stones and Korbanot (sacrifices) would be offered in a one shot deal. Then the stones would be brought back and placed at Gilgal, the first stop in Eretz Yisroel. The location of these stones was known until the time of the Talmud.
After this, Moshe tells the Bnei Yisrael about all the bad things that will befall them if they do not listen to the word of Hashem and serve Him out of happiness.
Discuss – Why must we do Mitzvos out of happiness? Why can’t we just do the Mitzvos? Moshe then continues to remind Bnei Yisrael about all the miracles that they witnessed when they were in the desert and in the battles that allowed them to conquer the land on which they were standing. At this point after 40 years of wandering, they could fully appreciate all that they had experienced.
Why can you only appreciate something after it is over?
Mitzvah of the Week We are commanded to act like Hashem. We must be caring and merciful and patient just as He is. To emulate Hashem is to strive for completion.
Discuss – What can we practically do to act like Hashem? – give examples
Parsha Questions
Q: What are the first fruits called? A: Bikkurim
Q: Which fruits does this apply to? A: The Seven fruits that Eretz Yisroel is praised for
Q:List the seven fruits A: wheat, barley, figs pomegranates, olives ,dates and grapes.
Q: Where were these fruits brought? A: to the Bais Hamikdash in Yerushalayim
Q: How would they bring these fruits there? A: In a long procession, with an ox leading that had its horn coated in gold
Q: What did they do with the ox afterwards? A: brought it as a Korban Shelamim
Q: Who ate these fruits? A: the Kohanim
Q: How many stones did Moshe set up? A: 12
Q: What did he write on the stones? A: the torah in 70 languages
Q: Who else set up 12 stones? A: Yehoshua
Q: What is the Mitzvah of the week? A: to act like Hashem
Q: How do we act like Hashem? A: Be merciful and patient and kind just like Hashem
Extra Questions: 1. What is the Mitzvah of Bikkurim? 2. Which fruits must be given? 3. Did a farmer in New Jersey bring bikkurim? 4. Do farmers in Eretz Yisrael bring bikkurim when we don’t have a beit Hamikdash? 5. Who ate the Bikkurim? 6. What does a person say when he brings the Bikkurim? 7. How many shevatim stood on Har Gerizim? 8. How many shevatim stood on Har Eval? 9. Who stood in the middle? 10. What did the Kohaniim and Leviim do when facing Har Gerizim? 11. What did the Kohaniim and Leviim do when facing Har Eval? 12. What are some of the things HaShem will do to bless Bnei Yisrael if they follow His laws? 13. How did Moshe remind the people to listen to Hashem? 14. What does the Baal Koreh (the one who reads the Torah) do when reading the tochachah? 15. Why do we read the tochachah especially at this time of the year? Answers 1. Giving the first fruits to the Kohen 2. The seven special fruits of Eretz Yisrael 3. NO! Only farmers in Eretz Yisrael brought bikkurim 4. NO 5. A kohen in the Beit Hamikdash 6. He says vidui (confession) and he tells about how we were taken out of Egypt 7. Six 8. Six 9. The Kohanim, Zekeinim of the Leviim, along with the Aron Hakodesh 10. They said the berachot (blessings) and the people on the mountains answered amen 11. They said the kelalot (curses) and the people on the mountains answered amen 12. HaShem will give them prosperous land, help them conquer their enemies, and protect them and make them a great nation 13. He said over the tochachah (rebuke) 14. He reads it quickly and in a low voice 15. So that we will be reminded to do teshuvah since Rosh Hashanah is coming
Harder Questions: When did the obligation to bring bikkurim begin? 26:1 - After the Land was conquered and divided.
Bikkurim are from which crops? 26:2 - The seven species for which Eretz Yisrael is praised.
How does one designate bikkurim? 26:2 - When he sees the first fruit ripen on a tree, he binds a piece of straw around it to mark it as bikkurim.
Who shakes the basket containing the bikkurim? 26:4 - The kohen places his hands under the hands of the one bringing it, and they wave the basket together.
What does "v'anita v'amarta" mean? 26:5 - Speak loudly.
Which Arami "tried to destroy my father?" 26:5 - Lavan.
When during the year may bikkurim be brought? Until when are the special verses recited? 26:11 - Bikkurim are brought from Shavuot until Chanukah. The verses are recited only until Succot.
Someone declaring that he separated terumah and ma'aser says: "And I didn't forget." What didn't he forget? 26:13 - To bless G-d.
What were the Jewish People to do with the 12 stones on Mt. Eval? 27:2 - Build an altar.
Six tribes stood on Mt. Eval and six on Mt. Gerizim. Who and what were in the middle? 27:12 - Kohanim, levi'im and the Holy Ark.
Who "causes the blind to go astray"? 27:18 - Any person who intentionally gives bad advice.
How does one "strike another secretly"? 27:24 - By slandering him.
Eleven curses were spoken on Mt. Eval. What is the significance of this number? 27:24 - Each curse corresponds to one of the tribes, except for the tribe of Shimon. Since Moshe didn't intend to bless the tribe of Shimon before his death, he did not want to curse them either.
Why are sheep called "ashterot"? 28:4 - Because they "enrich" (m'ashirot) their owners.
How is the manner of expressing the curses in Parshat Bechukosai more severe than in this week's parsha? 28:23 - In Bechukosai the Torah speaks in the plural, whereas in this week's Parsha the curses are mentioned in the singular.
Good Shabbos!!!