Bringing Bikkurim (First Fruits)

Activity#1: Hevruta study

We can start off by asking what other names there are for Shavuot,

what first fruits are (bikkurim) and what was done with them in the time of the Temple?

In hevruta pairs, we will study the texts describing how bikkurim were brought to the Temple and discuss the questions from the

Sefaria source sheet.

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Activity#2: Analyzing and comparing primary sources

Now we will take a close look at two primary sources and compare them: Bringing Bikkurim to Jerusalem, 1730 and KKL-JNF poster

Project the illustration/poster on the board or provide printed copies.

We will continue working with our hevruta partner to fill out the comparison worksheet.

Based on the texts from the source  sheet:

• Describe the trip to Jerusalem. If  you had been there, what would you have seen and heard?
• What questions do you have about  the bikkurim ceremony?

Looking at the illustration from  1730, consider the following questions:

• How do you think the artist knew  how to depict the scene?
• Do you think that you can rely on  the illustration to accurately depict how bikkurim were brought to the  Temple? Which details in the picture seem reliable to you and which don’t?  Why?
• What, in your opinion, does the  picture reflect?

Add the JNF poster to the  discussion:

• Describe both images (figures,  background, depicted events, colors, details, texts, etc.)
• When was each image created? How  do you think that affected the artists’ choices?
• Use the chart to help answer the  question: What differences are there between how bikkurim were brought at the  time of the Temple and during the early years of Zionist settlement of the  Land of Israel?
• How can you explain these differences?

Write a letter to a friend!

• Look at additional photographs of bikkurim ceremonies from the NLI collections. You can project them on the board or provide printed copies or links to the items.
• Imagine that you live on a kibbutz or moshav. Write a letter to a friend who lives in the city, encouraging them to attend a bikkurim ceremony that your community is holding. Describe what the event will be like and why it will be fun.

Write a journal entry! Imagine that you made the journey to Jerusalem with your bikkurim in the time of the Temple. How did you feel? What was on your mind? Share your experience!