## Sifrei Devarim Paragraph 107

###### Sifrei Devarim 107:1
[Sifrei Devarim 107:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:1)

(דברים יד כד) **וְכִי יִרְבֶּה מִמְּךָ הַדֶּרֶךְ**, יָכוֹל בְּרִחוּק זְמַן הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **יִרְחַק מִמְּךָ הַמָּקוֹם**, בְּרִחוּק מָקוֹם הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר וְלֹא בְּרִחוּק זְמַן.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
**Pisqa’ 107**²⁷⁰
1. “Now, if the *distance* is too great for you” (Dt. 14:24).
Is it possible that
the verse is speaking of travel time [to Jerusalem]?
The Teaching states:
“For *the place* is *far* from you” (Dt. 14:24)—
the verse here speaks of physical distance
rather than travel time.

footnotes:
²⁷⁰ H:154-155; JN1:273-275.


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:2
[Sifrei Devarim 107:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:2)

אֵין לִי אֶלָּא בִּזְמַן שֶׁהוּא מְרֻבֶּה, מִנַּיִן אֲפִלּוּ לַמּוּעָט? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **כִּי לֹא תוּכַל שְׂאֵתוֹ**.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
I might infer that
at issue is a lengthy period [of travel to Jerusalem];
on what basis do I know that
travelling even a short distance
[justifies converting Second-tithe produce to currency]?
The Teaching states:
“So that you are *unable* to transport it” (Dt. 14:24)—
[even a short distance.]


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:3
[Sifrei Devarim 107:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:3)

אֵין לִי אֶלָּא עָנִי, עָשִׁיר מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **כִּי יְבָרֶכְךָ ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ**.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
I might infer that
only a pauper [may convert Second-tithe produce to currency]; on what basis do I know that [the option is open to] the rich as well?
The Teaching states:
“For HASHEM your God has *blessed you*” (Dt. 14:24)—
[thus, the rich, too, may convert their Second-tithe into currency in order to avoid the expense of transportation].


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:4
[Sifrei Devarim 107:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:4)

(דברים יד כה) **וְנָתַתָּה בַּכָּסֶף** – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁאֵין מִתְחַלֵּל אֶלָּא עַל הַכֶּסֶף. מִנַּיִן לַעֲשׂוֹת שְׁאָר מַטְבֵּעַ כַּכֶּסֶף? דִּין הוּא: הוֹאִיל וְהֶקְדֵּשׁ מִתְחַלֵּל וּמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי מִתְחַלֵּל, מָה הֶקְדֵּשׁ עָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מַטְבֵּעַ כַּכֶּסֶף – אַף מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי עָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מַטְבֵּעַ כַּכֶּסֶף. מָה לְהֶקְדֵּשׁ שֶׁעָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מַטְבֵּעַ כַּכֶּסֶף, שֶׁהֲרֵי עָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מִטַּלְטְלִים כַּכֶּסֶף, תֹּאמַר בְּמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי שֶׁלֹּא עָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מִטַּלְטְלִים כַּכֶּסֶף? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **וְצַרְתָּ הַכֶּסֶף**, דָּבָר שֶׁדַּרְכּוֹ לִצְרֹר, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָה אוֹמֵר: דָּבָר שֶׁיֵּשׁ עָלָיו צוּרָה, פְּרָט לְסִימוֹן שֶׁאֵין עָלָיו צוּרָה.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
2. “Then you shall convert it into *currency*” (*kesef*:²⁷¹ Dt. 14:25).
This teaches that
[Second-tithe produce can] only
be deconsecrated with *silver* coins (*kesef*).
On what basis do I know that,
[when deconsecrating Second-tithe produce,]
we may treat *all* coins like silver?
Now, reason dictates this:
Consecrated property²⁷² can be deconsecrated
[in exchange for currency],
and Second-tithe produce can be deconsecrated
[by the same exchange]—
just as with [the deconsecration of] consecrated property,
we treat all coins like silver
[for purposes of the exchange],
so, too, with [the deconsecration of] Second-tithe,
we treat all coins like silver
[for purposes of the exchange].
[But I can refute this reasoning, as follows!]
Just as with [the deconsecration of] consecrated property,
we treat all coins like silver—
and, indeed,
we treat all movable property like silver
[for this purpose]—
will you claim regarding Second-tithe,
[that all coins are treated like silver],
insofar as we do *not* consider all movable property to be [like] silver
[when deconsecrating Second-tithe]?
The Teaching states:
“And *bind* (*tzarta)* the *currency* up in your hand” (Dt. 14:25)—
[*bind* refers] to something [like silver] that is normally *bundled* (*litzror*):
words of R. Ishmael.
R. Akiva says:
[*bind* refers] to something that bears an *imprint* (*tzurah*).
**This excludes [the use of] a slug,**
**which bears no imprint.**²⁷³

footnotes:
²⁷¹ Heb: “silver.”
²⁷² In this case, property devoted to the upkeep of the Holy Abode.
²⁷³ //M. Eduy.3:2; T. MS.1:4.


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:5
[Sifrei Devarim 107:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:5)

**בְּיָדְךָ** – פְּרָט לְשֶׁיָּצָא חוּץ מֵרְשׁוּתְךָ.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
**“In your hand” (Dt. 14:25)—**
**this excludes [currency] that is beyond your control.**²⁷⁴

footnotes:
²⁷⁴ Cf. M. MS. 1:2; T. MS. 1:6..


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:6
[Sifrei Devarim 107:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:6)

**וְהָלַכְתָּ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ בּוֹ** – זוֹ שִׁילֹה וּבֵית עוֹלָמִים.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
“And you shall travel to *the place*
in which HASHEM your God has chosen” (Dt. 14:25)—
namely, Shiloh [in its day] or the Eternal Abode [in its day].


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:7
[Sifrei Devarim 107:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:7)

(דברים יד כו) **וְנָתַתָּה הַכֶּסֶף בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תְּאַוֶּה נַפְשְׁךָ**, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: יָכוֹל הַלָּקוּחַ בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר, שֶׁנִּטְמָא – טָעוּן פִּדְיוֹן? וְדִין הוּא: וּמָה מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי עַצְמוֹ שֶׁנִּטְמָא, הֲרֵי הוּא נִפְדֶּה; הַלָּקוּחַ בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר שֶׁנִּטְמָא – אֵינוֹ דִין שֶׁיִּפָּדֶה? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **כֶּסֶף** – כֶּסֶף רִאשׁוֹן וְלֹא כֶסֶף שֵׁנִי. אֵין לִי אֶלָּא טָהוֹר, טָמֵא מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **כֶּסֶף** – כֶּסֶף רִאשׁוֹן וְלֹא כֶסֶף שֵׁנִי! שְׁלֹשָׁה כְסָפִים נֶאֶמְרוּ בָעִנְיָן: אֶחָד לְמַעֲשֵׂר טָהוֹר וְאֶחָד לְמַעֲשֵׂר טָמֵא וְאֶחָד לַלָּקוּחַ בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
“And *exchange the currency* for *whatever* your heart desires” (Dt. 14:26). **R Judah says:**
**Is it possible to hold that**
**goods exchanged for Second-tithe coins [in Jerusalem],**
**which became unclean [prior to consumption],**
**require redemption [in exchange with other coins]?**²⁷⁵
**Now, reason dictates this:**
**Just as Second-tithe produce itself,**
**which became unclean,**
**indeed, is redeemed [in exchange for coins],**
**so, too, produce purchased with Second-tithe coins [in Jerusalem],**
**which became unclean—**
**isn’t it reasonable that**
**it should be redeemed [with clean coins]?**²⁷⁶
4. The Teaching states:
“Exchange the *currency*” (Dt. 14:25)—
this is the *currency* used in the *first* exchange
[of coins for clean produce to transport to Jerusalem],
but not to *currency* used in a *second* exchange
[of coins for clean produce to eat *within* Jerusalem].
I infer only that
[Second-tithe coins themselves] must be clean.
On what basis do I know that
they may be unclean as well?
The Teaching states:
“*Exchange* the *currency*” and “*bind* the *currency*” (Dt. 14:25)—
referring to *currency* used in the *first* exchange
[of clean coins for clean tithe outside of Jerusalem],
but *not* to *currency* used in a second exchange
[of unclean coins for clean produce in Jerusalem].
Three categories of *currency* are under discussion here (Dt. 14:25).
one category²⁷⁷ *currency*” (Dt. 14:25).
consists of [clean coins offered in exchange for] clean tithe;
one category²⁷⁸ the *currency*” (Dt. 14:25).
consists of [clean coins offered in exchange for] unclean tithe;
and one category²⁷⁹ the *currency*” (Dt. 14:26),
consists of [clean coins] purchased with [other] Second-tithe currency.²⁸⁰

footnotes:
²⁷⁵ //T. MS.2:17.
²⁷⁶ // M. MS. 3:10.
²⁷⁷ Subsumed under the verse, “you shall exchange
²⁷⁸ Subsumed under the verse, “and bind
²⁷⁹ Subsumed under the verse, “spend
²⁸⁰ The text in reduce type is lacking in RH and in ed. Ish-Shalom. See F:168.n.7. Pardo, ad loc., includes that material in his text of Sifre.


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:8
[Sifrei Devarim 107:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:8)

**בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תְּאַוֶּה נַפְשְׁךָ**, יָכוֹל בַּעֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחוֹת וְקַרְקָעוֹת? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **בַּבָּקָר וּבַצֹּאן**.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
5. “On *whatever* your heart desires:
be it of the herd, the flock, wine, beer, or *any other thing* that draws your appetite” Dt. 14:26).
**Is it possible to suppose that**
**[the Second-tithe coins may be spent]**
**on slaves, servant girls, or land?**
**The Teaching states:**
**“Of the *herd*, the *flock* . . . ” (Dt. 14:26).**²⁸¹

footnotes:
²⁸¹ Cf. M.MS.1:7.


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:9
[Sifrei Devarim 107:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:9)

אֵין לִי אֶלָּא אֲכִילָה, שְׁתִיָּה מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **וּבַיַּיִן וּבַשֵּׁכָר**.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
**I might infer that**
**[Second-tithe coins may be spent]**
**only on food.**
**On what basis do I know that**
**[Second-tithe coins may be spent]**
**on drink?**
**The Teaching states:**
**“On *wine, beer*” (Dt. 14:26).**


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:10
[Sifrei Devarim 107:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:10)

אֵין לִי אֶלָּא אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה, מִנַּיִן אַף מַשְׁבִּיחֵי אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה, כְּגוֹן הַקּוֹשְׁטְ וְהַחִמּוּם וְרָאשֵׁי בְשָׂמִים וְהַתֵּיאָה וְהַחִלְתִּית וְהַפִּלְפְּלִים וְחַלּוֹת הָרֵיעַ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **וּבְכֹל אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁאָלְךָ נַפְשֶׁךָ**.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
**I might infer that**
**[Second-tithe coins may be spent]**
**only on food or drink.**
**On what basis do I know that**
**[one may spend the coins]**
**on complements to food or drink**,²⁸²
such as these:
costus, amomum, herb-tips,
crowfoot, asafoedita, peppers,
and saffron cakes?²⁸³
The Teaching states:
“Or *any other thing* that draws your appetite” (Dt. 14:26).

footnotes:
²⁸² Cf. M. MS. 2:1.
²⁸³ Translated following H:155.


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:11
[Sifrei Devarim 107:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:11)

יָכוֹל אַף מַיִם וָמֶלַח? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **בַּבָּקָר וּבַצֹּאן וּבַיַּיִן וּבַשֵּׁכָר**, מָה אֵלּוּ מְיֻחָדִים, שֶׁהֵם פְּרִי מִן הַפְּרִי וְגִדּוּלָם מִן הָאָרֶץ, אַף אֵין לִי אֶלָּא דָבָר שֶׁהוּא פְּרִי מִן הַפְּרִי וְגִדּוּלוֹ מִן הָאָרֶץ.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
**I might infer that**
**[Second-tithe coins may be spent]**
**on water and salt!**²⁸⁴
The Teaching states:
“Be it of the herd, the flock, on wine, beer, or any other *thing*” (Dt. 14:26).
Just as these are distinctive in being
fruit spawned from fruit and
and in growing from the earth,
I infer that
[Second-tithe coins may be spent]
only on fruit spawned from fruit,
and on what grows from the earth.

footnotes:
²⁸⁴ Cf. M. MS. 1:5


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:12
[Sifrei Devarim 107:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:12)

בֶּן בַּג בַּג אוֹמֵר: **בַּבָּקָר** – וְלָקַחְתָּ פָּרָה עַל יְדֵי עוֹרָהּ.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
6. The son of Bag Bag says:
“Of the herd” (Dt. 14:26)—
**thus, you may purchase [with Second-tithe coins]**
**a cow and its hide [as separate items].**


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:13
[Sifrei Devarim 107:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:13)

**בַּצֹּאן** – וְלָקַחְתָּ רָחֵל עַל יְדֵי גִּזָּתָהּ,

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
“Of the flock” (Dt. 14:26)—
**and you may purchase [with Second-tithe coins]**
**a ewe and its wool [as separate items].**


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:14
[Sifrei Devarim 107:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:14)

**בַּיַּיִן** – וְלָקַחְתָּ חָבִית עַל יְדֵי קַנְקַנָּהּ,

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
“On wine” (Dt. 14:26**)—**
**and you may purchase [with Second-tithe coins]**
**a vat or its jug [as items separate from the wine].**²⁸⁵

footnotes:
²⁸⁵ Cf. M. MS. 1:3.


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:15
[Sifrei Devarim 107:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:15)

**וּבַשֵּׁכָר** – וְלָקַחְתָּ תֶּמֶד מִשֶּׁתַּחְמִיץ.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
“On beer” (Dt. 14:26)—
**and you may purchase the vat waste**
**[with Second-tithe coins]**
**once it has fermented.**²⁸⁶

footnotes:
²⁸⁶ =M/ Hul.1:7.


###### Sifrei Devarim 107:16
[Sifrei Devarim 107:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sifrei%20Devarim/r/107:16)

יָכוֹל יִקַּח בְּהֵמָה לְמִשְׁתֵּה בְּנוֹ? – הֲרֵי אַתָּה דָן: נֶאֱמַר כָּאן ״שִׂמְחָה״ וְנֶאֱמַר לְהַלָּן (דברים כז ז) ״שִׂמְחָה״, מַה שִׂמְחָה הָאֲמוּרָה לְהַלָּן – שְׁלָמִים, אַף שִׂמְחָה הָאֲמוּרָה כָּאן – שְׁלָמִים. אוֹ מַה שִׂמְחָה הָאֲמוּרָה לְהַלָּן עוֹלָה וּשְׁלָמִים, אַף שִׂמְחָה הָאֲמוּרָה כָּאן עוֹלָה וּשְׁלָמִים? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: **וְאָכַלְתָּ** **וְשָׂמַחְתָּ**, שִׂמְחָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ עִמָּהּ אֲכִילָה; יָצְאוּ עוֹלוֹת שֶׁאֵין עִמָּהֶן אֲכִילָה.

**Trans. by Marty Jaffee, 2015:**
7. [“And you and your household will rejoice” (Dt. 14:26).]
Is it possible to say that
one may purchase [with Second-tithe coins]
an animal for his son’s wedding feast?
Look—you can reason as follows:
here, the term *rejoice* is mentioned (Dt. 14:26)
and elsewhere the term *rejoice* is mentioned (Dt. 27:7)²⁸⁷ before HASHEM your God”—
just as the *rejoicing* mentioned elsewhere
requires a [consecrated] Communion-offering,
so, too, the *rejoicing* mentioned here
requires a Communion-offering.²⁸⁸
Or [perhaps one can reason as follows]:
just as the *rejoicing* mentioned elsewhere (Dt. 27:6-7)
requires [the slaughter of]
a Holocaust-offering²⁸⁹ and a Communion-offering,
so, too, the *rejoicing* mentioned here
might require [the slaughter of]
a Holocaust-offering and a Communion-offering.
The Teaching states:
“And you shall eat . . . *rejoice*” (Dt. 14:26)—
to *rejoice* includes eating.
It thus excludes [the slaughter of] Holocaust-offerings,
for eating is not included [in their rite (i.e., Dt. 27:6-7)].

footnotes:
²⁸⁷ Dt. 27:7 reads: “And you shall slaughter Communion-offerings, and eat there, and rejoice
²⁸⁸ The midrashist assumes the existence of the Temple, where families brought Communion offerings at joyous occasions. Since a deconsecrated Second-tithe animal cannot substitute for a Communion-offering, neither can it be served in the wedding feast.
²⁸⁹ Dt. 27:6 reads: “Of whole stones shall you build the altar of HASHEM and place upon it Holocaust-offerings to HASHEM your God.”