Themes of Featured Chasidic Masters Articles

The mitzvah of the First Fruits [in Hebrew, Bikurim] is done only with the Seven Holy Species native to Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. These seven species correspond to the seven midot, which in turn correspond to the seven days of Creation and foundation of the world.

The spiritual work of a Jew in this world is to realize these midot fully and raise them up to their source. The Torah wants the First Fruits to come from the Seven Species of the land of Israel. One takes all of his physical, mundane aspects from each and every mida, brings them before G-d, and consecrates them to His service.

A tree’s primary components are: the roots, which anchor it to the ground and supply it with water and other nutrients; the trunk, branches and leaves that comprise its body; and the fruit, which is harvested and enjoyed by humans or animals and also contains the seeds through which the tree reproduces itself.

The Torah compares human beings to trees; a human being is also comprised of three components: roots, a body, and fruit. Our roots are the subconscious layers of the human psyche. The conscious personality of the human being is comparable to the tree's body. Our fruit is the impact we have on the lives of people around us; it embodies our ability to plant a seed in a fellow human being and see it sprout, grow and bear fruit.