For a gardening enthusiast, some of the most rewarding aspects of growing fruits and vegetables is witnessing the ripening produce, harvesting it and then eating of course. For an agricultural society of the ancient Jewish people, there are numerous commandments in the Torah which relate to the treatment of farming.

One example is found in the opening of this week’s parashah and relates to the “first fruits”. The farmer is instructed to mark the season’s first ripe fruits, harvest them, place them in a basket and bring it to the priests in the Temple. When delivering the basket, the farmer makes a ritual declaration which highlights a narrative addressing hardship, slavery, freedom, inheritance of land and God’s gift of the food.

The declaration’s wording features as a major component of the Passover Haggadah. The specific Hebrew word used for the “first fruits” is reishit, which is similar in its etymology to the first word in the Torah, Bereshit. Although the letter of the law in the commandment to bring the first fruits no longer applies without a Temple, the spirit of the law of first fruits is very applicable to our modern lives.

The early Chasidic commentary on the Torah, Toldot Yakov Yosef, published in 1780 suggests that every commandment and story in the Torah is eternal and has applications not only historically but for all generations.

The idea of “first fruits” can be applied to all aspects of life. For example, by dedicating the first part of the day, one can invoke an element of “first fruits”. This same idea is echoed in popular science and business literature by naming it a morning routine, which sets the tone of the day by starting off on the right foot. Dedicating the first of something to God is not limited to mornings, but could also be different aspects of everyday life such as relationships, food, money, spare time or work.

The same word reishit is connected to Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah presents an opportunity to begin a fresh and focus one’s intentions for the coming year. The consumption of symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey are a clear manifestation of the same concept. While many readers may not be farmers or gardening enthusiasts, the symbolic explanation of the “first fruits” can translate into a meaningful expression of gratitude while helping to punctuate the day.