Although it was hot and most of the campers in Bunk 17 were thinking about their next swimming activity, everyone paid attention as soon as Zev started their learning session. Zev was the camp's favorite learning counselor, and he always managed to get everyone interested in the parshah.

"Vehayah ki savo el haaretz: 'And when you enter the land,' Zev read and translated. "What does Rashi tell us? He says that Bnei Yisrael were not obligated to bring bikkurim, the first fruits, until after they conquered Eretz Yisrael and divided it. But the passuk itself continues: Virishtah v'yashavtah bah - 'And you shall take it as an inheritance, and you shall settle within it.' From the words of the passuk, and logically as well, it seems clear that first the people would have to inherit and settle the land, and only afterwards would they have to bring bikkurim. If so, then why does Rashi make this comment at all?"

The boys looked at Zev quizzically. What was he trying to say?

Zev began to explain: "Our sages tell us that it took seven years for the Jews to conquer the land under Yehoshua's leadership, and another seven years to divide it. Almost all of the mitzvos that have to do with the crops of Eretz Yisrael did not have to be fulfilled until these fourteen years had passed. Why would anyone think bikkurim are different, especially after the passuk says so itself? Why does Rashi have to comment?"

Now the boys understood the question, but they had no answer.

"Give us a hint," they requested.

"O.K." said Zev. "What's the purpose of the mitzvah of bikkurim?"

"To show our appreciation for HaShem's goodness," Michael answered. "After He would give the farmers a generous crop, they would bring their first fruits as an expression of thanks."

"Good," said Zev. "Now, think - during the 14 years in which the land was being conquered and divided, didn't some of the people get their portion, settle it and grow crops?"

"Yes."

"Were those Jews required to bring bikkurim or not? They already had their portion of land. Why shouldn't they have given thanks to HaShem for their crops by bringing the first fruits as bikkurim?"

"I get it," called out Moshie. "Rashi is telling us that even though we might think every person should bring his first fruits as soon as he got his own portion of land, the Torah did not require us to bring bikkurim until the land was completely conquered and everyone got their portion."

"Good thinking " Zev complimented.

"But why?" asked Yossie. "Shouldn't a Jew take the first opportunity he has to do a mitzvah? Shouldn't those people who had already received their portion of land and grown their crops express their thanks to HaShem and bring bikkurim?"

"Rashi is teaching us a lesson in Ahavas Yisrael," Zev explained. "Until every Jew had received a home in Eretz Yisrael, no one Jew should have felt satisfied enough to give thanks to HaShem. Bikkurim would have to be brought b'simchah, with happiness. One Jew's happiness cannot be complete until all of Am Yisrael has what they need."

(Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. IX, p. 152)