Bikkurim (Talmud)

:"This page is about the book of Bikkurim. See for the offering."

Bikkurim (Hebrew: ביכורים, lit. "First-fruits") is the eleventh tractate of "Seder Zeraim" ("Order of Seeds") of the "Mishnah" and of the "Talmud". All versions of the Mishnah contain the first three chapters, and some versions contain a fourth.

The three chapters found in all versions primarily discuss the commandment to bring the first fruits found in Deuteronomy chapter 26, verses 1-11 and to make a declaration upon bringing it. As is common in the Mishnah, related matters are also discussed.

The first chapter discusses who has the responsibility to bring the first fruits and make the declaration, who needs to bring the first fruits but not make the declaration, and who can not bring the first fruits. Among those who bring the first fruits but don't make the declaration are converts, so other halakah regarding differences between the obligations of converts and those born Jewish are also discussed here. This difference for converts was disagreed with by Rabbi Judah haNasi and later Maimonides, and it is their position that has become the practice of the Jewish community.

The second chapter compares the Terumah, Maaser and Bikkurim tithes and offerings, and makes other legal comparisons. The third chapter describes more fully the process of bringing the first fruits to the temple at the festival of Shavuot.

The fourth chapter, which is only sometimes included, originates from the Tosefta Bikkurim. It compares the laws relating to men, women, and those of intermediate sex, including the tumtum (one with no genitalia) and the androgynos.