Sunday, December 6, 2015

*Laws #270-278 ~ BOOK SEVEN: THE BOOK OF SEEDS (Laws of First Fruits and other Kohanic Gifts)


*Omitted (should not have been added to the Laws)
**Changed (a misinterpretation of the Law or based on the wrong scripture)
***No Longer Kept (No longer applicable today)



***#270 To set aside the first fruits and bring them to the Temple

Ex. 23:19 “The first of the first fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God…”

The command is to set aside the first fruits and bring them to the Temple.  The 7th year was obliged to first fruits, that is the very first that ripen.  This Law can’t be kept in today’s context.

***#271 The Kohanim must not eat the first fruits outside Jerusalem

Deut. 12:17 “Thou may not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn or of thy wine or of thy oil…”

The command is that the Priest must not eat the first fruits outside of Jerusalem.  This Law that can longer be kept in today’s context.

***#272 To read the Torah portion pertaining to their presentation

Deut. 26:5 (Lev. 23:10-14) “And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous…”

The command is to read the Torah portion pertaining to your presentation.  According to Deut. 26:1-11, the presentation of first fruits was a full pledge harvest to come and a reminder of the history of the Israelite nation.  While this Law can’t be kept, the confession can still be made in the act of giving, in honor of first fruits in remembrance of Israelite history.

***#273 To set aside a portion of dough for a Kohen

Num. 15:20 “Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for a heave offering…” (Num. 18:24)

Heave offerings were for the Priests, unto the Lord.  The command is to set aside a portion of dough for the Priest.  This Law can no longer be kept. 

***#274 To give the shoulder, two cheeks, and stomach of slaughtered animals to a Kohen

Deut. 18:3-4 “And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks and the maw.  Vs. 4 The first fruits also of thy corn, wine and oil…”

These commands reiterate #252, stressing that not only is a tithe to be set aside for the Levite but the first fruits portion.    This Law pertains to the Levitical tithe and can no longer be kept.


***#275 To give the first sheering of sheep to a Kohen

Deut. 18:4 “The first fruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.”

According to Maimonides, the Law is to give the Levite the first sheering of sheep.  Similar to Law #252, but pertaining specifically to first sheers of a sheep.  Again, this Law refers to Levitical tithe and can no longer be kept.

***#276 To redeem the firstborn sons and give the money to a Kohen

Num. 18:15 “Everything that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the Lord, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the first born of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.”

The command is to redeem the first born sons and give the money to a Levite Priest.  This Law can no longer be kept in today’s context.

***#277 To redeem the firstborn donkey by giving a lamb to a Kohen

Ex. 13:13 “And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the first born of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.”

This scripture is about the consecration of the first born.  The command is to redeem the first born donkey by giving a lamb to a Priest.  This Law can no longer be kept.

***#278 To break the neck of the donkey if the owner does not intend to redeem it

Ex. 13:13 “And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the first born of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.”

The command is to also break the neck of the donkey if the owner does not intend to redeem it.  This Law, like the others pertaining to Kohen, can no longer be kept today.”

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