What is the “first fruit”? It’s the first part of the harvest that was ripe and ready to be picked. This is what was brought to God and dedicated for His use. The countdown to Shavu’ot (Pentecost) starts after the Feast of First Fruits” and one counts for 50 days to arrive at the feast of Shavu’ot. What is brought in at the feast of First Fruits. The people were commanded to bring in the רֵאשִׁית reshith (“beginning,” Strong’s lexicon No. H7225) of the קָצִיר qatsir (“harvest,” Strong’s H7105a). The plural of this days is sometimes translated as בִּכּוּרִים bikkurim (“firstfruits,” Strong’s H1061) and God asked the people to bring the bikkurim to Him.
Have you ever heard of counting of the omer? You are counting sets of sevens for seven sevens, which is 49. The day after is the Shavu’ot, the 50th day. The omer is a weight or measure of grain, enough to make one loaf of bread. On Shavu’ot, we raise up two loaves of bread, which is double what is raised up on other days.
To attend this online celebration of First Fruits at the beginning of the 16th day of Israel’s first month, let us know.
Learn more about Bikkurim at hallel.info/firstfruits.