The answer is: Barley

Lev 23:10 - Coincided with the barley harvest in April, the first of the season

The Feast of Firstfruits is such a vibrant celebration that really highlights how vital agriculture was to ancient Israelite society! Imagine being a farmer waking up to the first light of the barley harvest—what an exhilarating moment. This festival, outlined in Leviticus 23, is packed with cultural significance. By waving the barley, the priests were honoring the first of the crops and, in a way, dedicating God’s provision back to Him.

Barley is often seen as the "poor man's crop," being more resilient than wheat and not needing as much water. It's intriguing to think about how this element relates to ancient fertility practices; barley was central not just to food, but also to ceremonies and social life. Some historians believe the timing of the Feast of Firstfruits, happening around Passover, reflects the renewal of life and abundance that spring brings.

Additionally, it’s noteworthy that this festivity is echoed in later Christian practices, where Jesus is referred to as the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). This ties in not only the agricultural roots of the observances but also the notions of resurrection and renewal that echo through religious traditions to this day. Celebrating the context of agriculture fulfilling spiritual needs paints a complete picture of how human life & divine acknowledgment interconnected back in those ancient times!