Blogging Ellul: New Year, New Fruits

I've felt very conscious the last couple of days that winter seems to be drawing in. The temperature has really dropped and I'm having to think about clothing before biking. So it seems like a strange time to be thinking about fruit. But last shabbat we heard about the offering of first fruits at the temple (not the best fruits, the first fruits) and as we approach the new year, it seems we have a chance to start thinking about the fruits of the past year, good and bad, and what we'd like to be making as an offering next year. Our first fruits aren't always expected to be the best, but we are given this amazing opportunity to assess what it is we offer year to year, so that our first fruits might always improve.