DEUT1481 Read the required Torah verses when bringing first fruits to the Beit HaMikdash. Through verbalizing one’s true and correct thoughts, their truth and correctness will become absolutely clear, for not only will the mind grasp them; the heart will grasp them too. This principle lies at the basis of the mitzvah reading the aforementioned versus when bringing the bikkurim to the Beis HaMikdash. When Hashem and His great kindness sends His blessings upon us in our fields in the Holy Land, and the land yields the first fruits of the season, each landowner is commanded to bring these fruits to the Beis HaMikdash. There, when he hands over these foods to the Kohen, he is commanded to verbalize true thoughts--verses of the Torah--so that they penetrate to his heart. Particularly at this time, it is fitting to remind oneself that everything that one has comes from Hashem. To this end, one reads verses that recall but a few of the great kindnesses that Hashem has bestowed upon us and the nation as a whole. The person bringing his bikkurim begins by reading aloud verses about how Hashem saved Yaakov Avinu from the hands of Lavan. Then he reads that Hashem saved our entire nation from terrible subjugation in Egypt. Standing in the presence of the Kohen praising Hashem, he then asks that Hashem's blessing rest upon him always. His heart fills with gratitude and praise for Hashem, and thereby he, in fact, is fitting to be blessed, which is pleasing to Hashem, Who wants to bestow good and shower kindness upon His people. The Chinuch adds that when we stand before Hashem in prayer and make requests of Him, we must say every word very carefully. In addition, when we express ourselves in our words, we must choose our words with great care and express them sincerely. Remember and guard this principle, and apply it when you pray.