The Wave Sheaf, VaYikra (Leviticus 23:10-14)
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The Wave Sheaf is one of God’s appointed times and seasons. Concerning the Wave Sheaf and its ordinance, God spoke to Moses and said:
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye are come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring the sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest unto the priest. And he shall wave the sheaf before HaShem, to be accepted for you; on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.” (VaYikra [Leviticus] 23:10-11)
Further clarified Moses on the offerings and oblations that must be performed on the day of the Wave Sheaf, and He concluded with these commandments, saying:
“And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor fresh ears, until this selfsame day, until ye have brought the offering of your God; it is a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” (VaYikra [Leviticus] 23:10-14).
Before giving the commandment for the Wave sheaf, God had spoken unto Moses, and commanded him saying:
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: The appointed seasons of HaShem, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My appointed seasons.” (VaYikra [Leviticus] 23:1).
He outlined these appointed seasons and festivals, from the Sabbath, to the major pilgrim festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. Altogether, God called them, “The appointed seasons of HaShem, even holy convocations.”
He went on further to charge that His people “shall proclaim them (the appointed times) in their appointed season.” This season is one of such seasons. This is the season of Pesach Ha Matzot – The Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread. Within the festivals of Pesach – Passover and Unleavened is yet another of the appointed seasons that God commanded us to observe and keep. This is the Wave Sheaf Offering. It is the day following the first day of Unleavened Bread. Called Yom HaBikkurim, in Hebrew, it is the Day of Firstfruits, or Reishit ha’katzir, the ‘Beginning of the Harvest’.
Concerning this particular appointed season, The Wave Sheaf and its ordinance, God spoke to Moses and said: “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye are come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring the sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest unto the priest.
“And he shall wave the sheaf before HaShem, to be accepted for you; on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. And in the day when ye wave the sheaf, ye shall offer a he-lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt-offering unto HaShem. And the meal-offering thereof shall be two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto HaShem for a sweet savour; and the drink-offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin.
“And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor fresh ears, until this selfsame day, until ye have brought the offering of your God; it is a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” (VaYikra [Leviticus] 23:10-14).
Every word of God is a commandment and a covenant. Therefore, we must do this in obedience as He has commanded. The Wave Sheaf is a statute that we must keep throughout our generations, for ever.
May HASHEM bless us with a joyful season, as we perform His command just as He has instructed in the Torah. And may this day, Yom HaBikkurim (the Day of Firstfruits), and its season Reishit ha’katzir, (the ‘Beginning of the Harvest’), bring good fortune, bountiful harvest, immense blessings, goodness and peace, Amen.
“Barukh ata adonai elohenu melekh ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu la’z’man ha’zeh.”
[“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive and sustained us and brought us to this holiday season.”]
Happy feast of Passover & Unleavened Bread!
Credit: Community of Hashem Worldwide
