This week’s Torah reading begins with the mitzvah of Bikkurim, the first fruits which are brought as an offering to Jerusalem…

For an entire winter and spring, a farmer has been tending to his fields and orchards and preparing his crops. Finally, in the early summer, his produce begins to ripen.

May he partake of it himself? May he sell it for a profit?

No. The first fruits must be set aside and taken to be offered in the Temple…

With this mitzvah, the Torah is teaching us hakaras hatov, the appreciation of the good God bestows upon us. The produce did not grow by itself. Were it not for God’s blessings, neither the farmer nor his land, and certainly not his produce, would exist. In appreciation for God’s kindness, the farmer… makes a special journey to Jerusalem to show his gratitude…

In a larger sense, this mitzvah relates to every aspect of our Torah observance. He (God) grants us life, health, and well-being. And He has told us that He desires that we observe His Torah. In gratitude and appreciation, we fulfill His will…