Vayikra

The passuk states, “ואם תקריב מנחת ביכורים, and if you will offer the Korban Omer brought from the first barley grains.” Rashi points out that although the Torah writes this mitzva as ‘אם, if’ and not ‘כי, when,” there is indeed an obligation to bring the Korban Omer. Rashi quotes Rabbi Yishmael who teaches, there are three times that the Torah states the word אם and it does not mean ‘if’ hinting a choice, but rather it is an obligation. It states by the Korban Omer, “ואם תקריב,” by building the Mizbeiyach, “ואם מזבח אבנים תעשה,” and by lending money, “ואם כסף תלוה את עמי.” Since these three places are actually an obligation, why then does the Torah use the word אם instead of כי?

The Maharal answers that in these three places the purpose of the Torah is not to tell us the obligation, as it is mentioned elsewhere in the Torah. The words, “העבט תעביטנו” tells us about the mitzvah of lending money, “אבנים שלמות תבנה” teach us the mitzvah of building a mizbeiyach, and the main Parsha of the Omer’s Bikurim is in Parshas Emor. When the Torah states אם it means if you will do that mitzvah that I commanded you elsewhere, these are the specifications on how to perform it.

The Maharal offers another answer: the building of a Mizbeiyach which helps us come close to Hashem, must be done with interest and not out of force. If one will do it because of necessity, he is not serving Hashem properly. The Midrash teaches regarding the Korban Omer: Hashem brings up clouds, brings down rain, and grows fruit; we give Hashem His sechar – the Korban Omer. This is to show that Hashem did everything, from beginning to end. The appreciation a person has must come from the heart; one needs to feel the proper gratitude to Hashem and know that everything is from Him. If one is forced to feel this appreciation then he is lacking in his thanks. Therefore, the Minchas Bikurim which is set to express appreciation must be from his heart.

Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that the Torah is teaching, one needs to bring a korban with the proper ratzon, feeling. One should not bring a korban only because he needs to, but rather because he wants to. By the mitzvah of lending money, or for any situation of bein adam lachaveiro, one needs to do it with his complete will. The Bartenura in Meseches Avos states that if one gives tzedakah with his face buried in the ground, meaning he’s not interested in giving and only does so because he has to and feels forced to, it as though he didn’t give! He will definitely receive some credit; however, Hashem wants us to do chesed with feeling and love.

May Hashem help us fulfill mitzvos with the proper feeling and bring us closer to Him!