Deuteronomy-Chap-26
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please
do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the
following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org”
(MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org”
(SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or
Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please
Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth
from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Foreword:
In Deuteronomy 26, the Torah moves from specific legal obligations to the spiritual and emotional climax of the journey: the transition from being a wandering people to becoming a settled nation on its own land. This section focuses on the gratitude and the verbal declarations that bind the individual Israelite to their history and their אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim!
Introduction:
This chapter serves as a bridge between the laws governing social conduct and the formal renewal of the Covenant. It introduces the beautiful ceremonies of Bikkurim (First Fruits) and the Tithe confession. These rituals are designed to prevent the spiritual amnesia that often accompanies prosperity. By requiring the farmer to stand before the altar and recount the humble origins of the nation, the Torah ensures that success is always viewed through the lens of Divine providence and historical continuity.
YYYYYYY
Below are the 19 verses of Deuteronomy Chapter 26: Whilst below the verses are the Explanation’s and more. (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
Verses 1-2: “And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha (God) giveth thee for an inheritance, and dost possess it, and dwell therein; that thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which thou shalt bring in from thy land that יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha giveth thee; and thou shalt put it in a basket and shalt go unto the place which יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha shall choose to cause His name to dwell there.
Explanation: These verses establish the obligation of Bikkurim. Upon entering and possessing the land, the first act of the farmer is not to hoard the harvest, but to acknowledge its Source. By placing the fruits in a basket and bringing them to the Sanctuary, the individual transforms a mundane act of agriculture into a sacred act of "returning" a portion of the gift to the Giver.
Verse 3: And thou shalt come unto the Priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him: ‘I profess this day unto יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha, that I am come unto the land which יְהוָה - the LORD swore unto our fathers to give us’.
Explanation: This verse involves a formal declaration to the Kohen (Priest). The farmer states that he has entered the land as promised. This is a public affirmation that the Divine promise made to the Patriarchs has been fulfilled in his own lifetime.
Verse 4: And the Priest shall take the basket out of thy hand, and set it down before the altar of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha.
Explanation: Describes the Kohen taking the basket and placing it before the altar. This physical movement signifies the formal transfer of the “firsts” from the private domain to the Holy domain.
Verses 5-10: And thou shalt speak and say before יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the
LORD thy Eloheicha: ‘A wandering Aramean was my
father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there, few in number; and he
became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous. And the
Egyptians dealt ill with us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard
bondage. And we cried unto יְהוָה
- the LORD,
the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of our fathers,
and יְהוָה
- the LORD
heard our voice, and saw our affliction, and our toil, and our
oppression. And יְהוָה
- the LORD
brought us forth out of
Explanation: This verse contains the “Declaration of the First Fruits”. It is a
concise historical summary, beginning with the wandering of the Patriarchs (“A
wandering Aramean was my father”), the descent into
Verse 11: And thou shalt rejoice in all the good which יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha hath given unto thee, and unto thy house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is in the midst of thee.
Explanation: The commands of joy. The celebration of the harvest is not solitary; it must include the Levite and the stranger. True gratitude is expressed through ‘inclusively’ and ‘shared happiness’ with those who do not have a portion of land.
Verses 12-15: When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithe of thine
increase in the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it
unto the Levite, to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, that
they may eat within thy gates, and be satisfied, then thou
shalt say before יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the
LORD thy Eloheicha: ‘I have put away the hallowed things out of my house, and
also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless,
and to the widow, according to all Thy commandment which Thou hast commanded
me; I have not transgressed any of Thy commandments, neither have I forgotten
them. I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have
I put away thereof, being unclean, nor given thereof for the dead; I have hearkened
to the voice יְהוָה
- the LORD my Elohim
(God), I have done according to all that Thou hast
commanded me. Look forth from Thy Holy habitation, from heaven,
and bless Thy people
Explanation: These verses discuss the “Tithes of the Third Year”. After distributing the required shares to the ‘Levite’, the ‘stranger’, the ‘fatherless’, and the ‘widow,’ the individual makes a “Declaration of Compliance”. He affirms that he has not misused the sacred portions or forgotten his communal responsibilities. It is a moment of total transparency before אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Verses 16-19: This day יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha commandeth thee to do these statutes and ordinances; thou shalt therefore observe and do them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched יְהוָה - the LORD this day to be thy אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, and that thou wouldest walk in His ways, and keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His ordinances, and hearken unto His voice. And יְהוָה - the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be His own treasure, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments; and to make thee high above all nations that He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in glory; and that thou mayest be a Holy people unto יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha, as He hath spoken”.
Explanation: These verses conclude the section by defining the relationship between the people and as a mutual “avowal”. On this day, the people affirm God as their Sovereign, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim affirms the people as His “treasured possession” (Am Segulah). This creates a cycle of holiness: the people observe the commandments, and in return, they are elevated in praise, renown, and glory as a Holy Nation!
YYYYYYY
My Closing Message:
The essence of Deuteronomy 26 is the power of the “Spoken Word” to sanctify physical reality. Whether bringing a basket of fruit or distributing a tithe, the action is incomplete without the declaration. This teaches us that our spiritual life requires both ‘deed’ and ‘consciousness’. We are reminded that we are never truly “self-made”; we are the beneficiaries of a long history and a Divine Mandate. When we acknowledge our roots and care for the vulnerable among us, we transform our material success into a lasting, Holy legacy!
YYYYYYY
Please
Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This
site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and
wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or
three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us,
especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very
much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember
what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via
several of our prophets...
“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with you, and
please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with
you!
Enter ...