After the commandments of the recitations over Bikkurim (the first fruits) and Ma’aser, the Torah then summarizes Moshe Rabeinu’ssecond speech with the words “This day, Hashem you G-d commands you to perform these statutes and laws, and you shall guard them and do them with all your heart and with all your soul” (Devarim 26:16). On this verse, the Midrash Tanchuma states:
Moshe foresaw that with the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, the mitzvah of Bikkurim would come to an end. To deal with that situation, Moshe established the practice of tefillah (prayer) three times daily."
The question should be asked – what is the comparison between the commandment to bring the first fruits and the commandment to pray three times daily? The Chiddushei haRim suggests the following comparison. After a year of effort of toil, the farmer has waited impatiently for the fruits of his labour. Finally, as they appear, the farmer is now required to turn these fruits over to Hashem, to acknowledge his dependency on Hashem throughout the process. Similarly, people awake in the morning refreshed, with a whole day in front of them to do what they desire. By dedicating the first part of the day to Hashem, and not to his own plans and goals, the person is acknowledging that everything that he is going to accomplish that day will come from Hashem.
A person may suggest that the above comparison is inaccurate, as the mitzvah of Bikkurim occurs once a year, while tefillah occurs three times daily. The excitement of seeing one’s first fruits after a year of effort is much greater than the feelings people experience upon arising to their daily routine. However it may be answered that it is for this reason that the Midrash chose to comment on this verse, and not previously when the actually commandment to give Bikkurim was discussed. On the verse’s opening, Rashi comments:
This day – on each day, they should be new in your eyes, as if you were commanded them each day.
In other words, our goal is to arise each morning with the same excitement and enthusiasm as a farmer who is going out to harvest the fruits that he toiled over for an entire year.