What are the implications of "Asher Yih'yeh ba'Yamim ha'Heim"?
Rashi: It implies that one should bring the Bikurim to the Kohen of that time - even though he may not be as great as his predecessors. 1
Ramban #1: It implies that the Bikurim must be given to the Kohanim of the Mishmar that is serving in the Beis-Hamikdash at the time. 2
Ramban #2: It implies that if one gives one's Bikurim - or his Korban to be sacrificed - to a Kohen who later turns out to be Pasul (a Ben Gerushah), his Bikurim and his Korban are nevertheless Kasher. 3
Seforno: It implies that one should afford him the esteem that is normally reserved for kings and prophets - by using the expression "Hashem Elokecha", since he is standing in for Hakadosh-Baruch-Hu, the owner of your land, to whom you are bringing your Bikurim.
Targum Yonasan and Ibn Ezra: What the Pasuk means is that one brings Bikurim to the Beis-Hamikdash only if there is a Kohen Gadol serving. 4
Ramban: And not to a Kohen whom the owner brings with him from his town.
Ramban: As the Gemara concludes in Kidushin, 66b, based on the Pasuk in Koheles, 7:10. See also Torah Temimah, note 14.
Targum Yonasan actually states that one should bring the Bikurim to the Kohen Gadol. See Na'ar Yonasan.
What is the point of the declaration to the Kohen?
Rashi: To explain to him that he (the owner) is not ungrateful for the kindnesses that Hashem has performed on his behalf. 1
Ramban and Targum Yonasan: It is a declaration of thanks to Hashem (who promised the Avos that He would give us Eretz Yisrael, 2 and who kept His word - Ramban).
Seforno: By bringing his Bikurim to the Beis-Hamikdash, he is making a statement to all and sundry 3 (that he is grateful to Hashem for his kindness).
Oznayim la'Torah: To ask permision to give thanks to Hakadosh-Baruch-Hu. 4
And he proceeds to affirm his gratitude.
See Bereishis 17:8.
Seforno: As in Shmuel 2, 19:7.
Oznayim la'Torah: In the way that the Mal'achim seek permission from one another. See Oznayimm la'Torah.
Why does the Torah insert the word "Higadti ha'Yom"?
Rashi: It implies [that he recites] only once a year. 1
What are the connotations of "la'Hashem Elokecha"?
Ramban: It means that the owner is bringing the Bikurim in the Name of Hashem.
Seforno: Refer to 26:3:1:4.
Why can he say "la'Hashem Elokecha", implying, like the Rasha in the Hagadah, that Hashem is not his G-d?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because he is speaking to the Kohen, to whom he has come to ask permission to thank Hashem in his capacity as someone who is on a higher level than himself, and whom he therefore wishes to emulate. 1
See Oznayim la'Torah.
How can a Ger, who cannot say "asher Nishba Hashem la'Avoseinu" bring Bikurim?
Bikurim, 1:4: He brings Bikurim but does not recite the Parshah. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 16, who cites Rishonim who do not Pasken like this Mishnah, and elborates.
What are the connotations of the end of the Pasuk "Ki Basi el ha'Aretz ? '?
Ramban: It means ' ... since Hashem brought me to Him to serve Him in the land'.
Seforno: It means 'I came from another country to this land as a stranger, and am bringing the first-fruit to Hashem, the Owner of the land, who granted me residence' - as befits someone who receives a piece of land as a gift or as a share-cropper'.
How can women, who cannot say "Laseis lanu", bring Bikurim?
Sifri: Women and Avadim are indeed Patur from Bikurim since they cannot say "asher Nasata lanu". 1
This seems to contradict what the Sifri itself writes in Pasuk 10. Refer to 26:10:1.1:2. Perhaps there they are only Chayav mi'de'Rabbanan.
