Bikkurim (first-fruits)

In each agricultural season, the first-grown fruits were brought to the Temple and laid by the altar, and a special declaration recited.

In Exodus 23:16, the holiday of Shavuot is called the "feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labours (Heb.

Leviticus 23:17 describes the special offering of shtei halechem on Shavuot, referring to it as bikkurim (first-fruits of the wheat harvest).

[9] This Avowal was incorporated into a beautiful and grand festive celebration with a procession of pilgrims marching up to Jerusalem and then the Temple.

The Temple officers came out to meet them, and all artisans along the streets rose before them, giving them the salutation of peace, and hailing them as brothers from this or that town.

[13] The doves were given as sacrificial offerings, and the Avowal (Deuteronomy 26:3–11) would be made before a priest while the basket was still on the pilgrim's shoulder.

[16] Similarly, the Mishna prohibits converts from reciting the Avowal, as they could not truthfully recite "Which the Lord swore to our Fathers for to give us" (Deut 26:3), as they are not descended from the Biblical patriarchs who received that oath;[17] similarly, Deut 26:5 refers to "my father" Jacob, whom converts are not actually descended from.