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From:Yochanan Mascaro
To:heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject:To Tithe or not to Tithe
QUESTION:
DEUTERONOMY 14:22-29
I am curious as to your understanding concerning the above Scriptures,
specifically concerning the number of tithes referenced. Could you
please elaborate? Thank you in advance!
Shalom!
Brett Mourer
ANSWER: (Yochanan Mascaro)
ME: Shalom Brett and thanks for your question. Sorry for the lengthy delay of replying but it has been very, very, busy lately in Messianic circles! Because there is so much that can be said on tithing, I will limit my more detailed response to the specific scripture you cited which refers specifically to the temple tithes and typically to the kohanim (priestly class) cautioning you that this is not the only scripture on tithing nor is this specific scripture to be construed in any way that only agriculture or livestock is what Yahweh considers suitable for tithing. [See Bereshith (Gen.) 14:20 where Avraham gives Melek (King) Melchizedek of Shalem (Shalom)"one tenth of EVERYTHING" proving that a tithe, specifically to a priest like Melchizedek who is of a higher order than the temple kohanim priesthood , from whose order Yahshua "descends" includes one tenth of EVERYTHING, not just agriculture or livestock. See also Ibrim [Heb.) 7:1-2. Also see Bereshith 29:22 where Jacob, after waking from his sleep lying with his head on the stone, and before leaving the renamed city of Beit'El (formerly Luz) pledges to give to Yahweh a tithe of ALL that Yahweh gives him. Again proving that tithes are not just of agriculkture and livestock but of EVERYTHING or ALL of one's increase. See also Nehemiah 10:38-40 where The Israelite reaffirm their vows to Yahweh including the vows regarding the various tithes including the first part of their dough, etc. When you think of it, if we no longer increase in the dough that you can eat but rather in the dough that one calls cash, why should that mere fact change what Yahweh has always called one to do with that dough!]
In terms of the temple tithes, Deut 14:22-29 refers specifically to the "second tithe" required by Yahweh which is actually to be consumed BY THE DONOR within the temple in thankfulness to Yahweh's increased bounty to him. I give you line by line interpretation of each verse below.
However, the "first tithe" in the temple is a tenth of all produce (agriculture & livestock) FOR THE KOHANIM in payment for their services ["abodah"] as temple priests Wayiqra (Lev.) 27:30-33; Bamidbar (Num.)18:21. The Kohanim were not to inherit a land blessing but were to serve in the temple; in return, they were sustained by Yahweh through the "first tithes" of the worshippers. [The following is my commentary as it is not literally in the letter of Torah: I believe that in keeping with the Spirit of Torah, about which Yahshua emphasized continually, it would be improper to assume that ONLY agriculture and produce would be due to the kohanim should the means by which a society (i.e., the worshippers) earn their "increase"change (for example, from a society that raises agriculture and livestock to instead earning hard currency.) The Spirit of Torah was to sustain the kohanim and for me, simply mentions agriculture and livestock since that is the most common means by which to do so at the time.)
In addition, there is another tithe that is for the poor and which replaces the "second tithe" in the third and sixth year of the seven year cycle which ends in what is called the year of "sh'mittah" where the land is allowed to go fallow. [Some Rabbis argue whether or not this tithe to the poor actually replaces the second tithe or if it is in addition to it].
Deu 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
The tithe described here is in its "pashat" (literal interpretation)
first and foremost a segregation unto Yahweh of the increase in one's
crops and livestock (i.e., agriculture, food, animals). In the
agricultural society in which lived Yisrael, "increase" was
necessarily often measured by how much more agriculture or livestock
one had from one period to the next. This is not to be construed as
meaning that in a society where one's increase is more often measured
in money that there should be no tithe since money isn't specifically
spoken of in the tithing scriptures. This extreme view could lead a
person to never tithe which clearly go against the Spirit
of the Torah instruction altogether! Having said that if one's
increase is measured by agriculture or livestock, it would be
appropriate to bring these to the storehouse as one's tithe in strict
adherence to scripture. If too much to carry, then you may convert
the value of the agriculture or livestock into money first, carry the
money to the storehouse instead converting into what you desire to eat
merrily before Yahweh. See below under verse 24.
Deu 14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
This tithe (increase in your bounty of crops, agriculture, corn, wine, oil, livestock is to be brought by you physically into the "place which HE (Yahweh) shall choose to place His Name" (i.e., the "storehouse" where you personally gather/meet to worship Yahweh weekly; the tent of meeting and later the temple/shul)in order to pay reverance to Yahweh always Deu 14:24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; [or] if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
If for some reason the distance to your "place of meeting/storehouse"
is too far to carry all of your tithe (your increase
in crops/agriculture/wine/livestock,etc.) or if your increase is so
much that you physically cannot carry it there,
Deu 14:25 Then shalt thou turn [it] into money, and bind up the
money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy
God shall choose: sell your increase in these items convert them into
cash, bind up the cash in your hand, and take the cash unto the
storehouse
Deu 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
You shall bestow (present as a required gift that money/cash for
whatever is YOUR desire: oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink, whatever
your soul desires, that that cash be turned into again for your sake
to eat of the tithe before Yahweh, to rejoice (Yahweh loves a cheerful
giver) you and your mishpochah (family/household)
Deu 14:27 And the Levite that [is] within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
Since the Levite priests do not have a land inheritance among the
twelve other tribes, but rather are servants of the shul/temple, you
are to share your tithe with them and not forsake them
Deu 14:28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all
the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay [it] up
within thy gates:
Deu 14:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Again, because the evitcial pristhood does not share in the land inheritance of the Israelites, they and the widow, the stranger/proselyte, shall come to the storehouse with you and share in your tithe (eat and be filled) so that Yahweh may bless YOU in all of you work to which you put your hand
I pray that this has helped you.
Shalom
Yochanan Mascaro
***********************************************
From: "Ohr Somayach"
To: dafyomi@vjlists.com
Subject: The Weekly Daf - #327
The Weekly Daf #327
Ketubot 46 -52
Issue # 327 Parshat Behar
By Rabbi Mendel Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions
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A SOLID INVESTMENT
"Wealth and riches shall be in his house," says King David (Tehillim 112:3), "and his righteousness shall endure forever." Who is the unnamed recipient of such a blessing?
One interpretation in our gemara is that this refers to one who studies Torah and teaches it to others.
Maharsha offers a fascinating explanation of the comparison between Torah and material wealth. In regard to wealth, we have been taught by Rabbi Yochanan (Mesechta Taanit 9a) that the Torah's usage of a double phrase "Tithe, you shall surely tithe" (Devarim 14:22) teaches us that the reward for fulfilling the mitzvah of tithing is the blessing of wealth. (The Hebrew word can be read both as "te'asser" which means "tithe" and as "te'asher" which means "become wealthy.") Tosefot there cites a Sifrei that this applies not only to agricultural produce which the Torah commands us to tithe but to the tithing of any earnings and profits as well.
Just as one who gives a share of his wealth to charity does not suffer a reduction in his resources but actually enjoys an increase, so it is with the sharing of his Torah knowledge. The greatest Sages (Rabbi Chanina in Mesechta Ta'anit 7a and Rebbie in Mesechta Makkot 10a) have declared "Much have I learned from my teachers; even more from my colleagues; and the most from my students." The scholar who shares his learning with others loses nothing. He becomes even wealthier with the true riches of Torah knowledge.
* Ketubot 50a
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Written and Compiled by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
==================================
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