3,609. Sing a Song of First Fruits

Hilchos Bikkurim 3:12

One who brings first fruits can give them to a servant or a family member to carry until he reaches the Temple Mount. Once he reaches the Temple Mount, even a great king of Israel must put the basket on his shoulder and bring it to the Temple courtyard. He recites the first part of the “confession” – “I declare to Hashem…” – with the basket still on his shoulder. He then takes the basket off his shoulder. He holds it by the edges and the kohein puts his hands underneath the basket and waves it. He then reads the next part of the “confession” – “An Aramean tried to destroy my forefather…” – until the end. He puts the first fruits on the side of the altar, specifically on the south side by the southwest corner. The person prostrates and leaves.

We see that the first fruits must be waved from Deuteronomy 26:4: “The kohein shall take the basket from your hand.” This includes waving the first fruits. Just as first fruits must be waved, they also require that a peace offering be brought with them and that they be brought with song, as per verse 11: “You shall rejoice in all the good.” Regarding yom tov, Deut. 16:14 tells us, “You shall rejoice on your festivals.” Just as rejoicing there means with peace offerings, the same is true here. However, one still fulfills his obligation of first fruits even if he neglects to bring an offering.

Hilchos Bikkurim 3:13

Song is sung over first fruits as follows: When they reach the Temple courtyard, the Leviim start to sing Psalm 30: “I will exalt You, Hashem, because You have raised me....”