Ki Tavo
Parashat Ki Tavo 5783
Bikkurim and Bowing
The passuk tells us that a person bringing bikkurim (i.e. the first fruits of one’s field which are brought as a korban to the Beit Hamikdash) recites a declaration when he brings his bikkurim to the Beit Hamikdash, and he concludes this declaration by stating that “I have brought my first fruits… and I have bowed down to Hashem”.
Various mefarshim discuss what is the significance of bowing down? And why does a person who brings bikkurim need to bow down?
The Vilna Gaon writes that this bowing down is not a requirement of one who brings bikkurim, rather it is a requirement of every person who enters the Beit Hamikdash. And since bikkurim are brought by their owner inside the Beit Hamikdash, inevitably the owner is mandated to bow down, but this bowing down in fact is not part of the avodah of bikkurim, rather it is an obligation of every person who enters the Beit Hamikdash.
Tosafot infers from the Sifri that there were two tenufot (literally “waving”) of the bikkurim; during the reading of the declaration, and one at the time when the owner of the bikkurim would bow down. It is implied that according to Tosafot there is tenufa at the time of bowing down because bowing down is connected to, and an integral part of, bringing the bikkurim.
The Significance of Bowing
We find bowing down mentioned in various contexts in the Torah: When Ya’akov met Esav the Torah tells us that he [Ya’akov] bowed down seven times as he approached his brother Esav. Additionally, the imahot and the shevatim also bowed down when they first met Esav. This bowing down was out of honour for Esav.
In a different context, when Eliezer heard that Lavan and Betu’al conceded to let Rivka go and marry Yitzchak Avinu, Eliezer bowed down, and Rashi explains that the significance of this action was to thank Hashem for the good.
Similarly, when bnei yisrael in Mitzrayim heard that they would be redeemed from slavery, they too bowed down in thanks to Hashem for the good tidings.
Bowing in Tefilat Shemoneh Esrei
In our daily tefillot we also bow down during every Amidah – twice in the beginning and end of avot, and twice in the beginning and end of hoda’ah. It appears that the bowing in the beginning of the tefilla is an expression of kavod for Hashem, and this is why it is performed as soon as we begin the Amidah. The bowing during modim however is an expression of thanks to Hashem for all the good that He bestowed upon us, which is the subject of modim.
The Two Types of Bowing in Bikkurim
I have heard it said in the name of one of the Acharonim that the two actions of bowing down when bringing bikkurim parallel the two sets of bowing down during the Amidah, namely, one is an expression of kavod, and one is out of thanks to Hashem.
On a deeper level, in order to give thanks suitably, one must first acknowledge and recognise Who one is thanking. Only after acknowledging and accepting ol malchut shamayim is a person able to appreciate and thank Hashem properly for the good that He bestows uon us. This was the significance of the two separate prostrations that occurred when bringing bikkurim.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Gad Bouskila
