Ki Savo

The Gemara writes: One who brings a present to a Talmid Chacham is as though he brought Bikurim. This is as the passuk states, “a man came from Ba’al Shalisha and brought lechem Bikurim to the ish Elokim, Elisha.” Rashi points out that Elisha was not a Kohen and therefore he could not eat Bikurim. Why then would he be brought a present of Bikkurim which he could not benefit from? Rather, we derive from here that a person who gives a present to a Talmid Chacham it is as though he brought Bikurim. Also, he gets atonement and is forgiven as though he offered the korban minchas Bikurim.

Rav Bergman asks: Why does the Torah compare this action to the bringing of Bikurim but not to giving teruma or any of the other matnos Kehuna? Also, what is the reason that it is as though he brought Bikurim? Rav Bergman answers that the yesod of Bikurim is hakaras hatov – recognizing that Hashem is the ba’al habayis of the world and express appreciation for that which He gave you. This is as Rashi writes: the passuk “ואמרת אליו, and you shall say to him – to the Kohen, הגדתי היום לה’ אלוקיך…” that you are not a kafui tova; one needs to express his recognition and gratitude to the Almighty for all the different tovos which He bestows upon us.

We find a similar idea by a Talmid Chachom. The Gemara asks: What is an example of an apikorus? Rabi Yosef writes: One who says, “what good are the Rabanan? They learn for themselves.” Adds Abaye: They are also megaleh panim as Rashi writes – they are kofrim in the Torah which states, “אם לא בריתי יומם ולילה….” Hashem created the world to learn Torah, and it is the Torah which causes the heaven and earth to remain in their existence. One must appreciate the great accomplishment the Torah scholars cause in the world for everyone.

Therefore, one who brings a present to a Talmid Chachom shows his recognition and thanks to the Talmid Chachom for being a vessel to transmit shefa–tov and bracha, just like Bikkurim expresses to Hashem.

May we recognize Hashem’s kindness and express our appreciation, and may we merit to bring Bikkurim in the Beis Hamikdash, bimheira v’yameinu, Amen!