(Devarim 18:4) "The first (i.e., terumah) of your corn": We are hereby taught that terumah is given only of the choicest. "your corn, your wine, and your oil": We are hereby taught that terumah is not given from one for the other. And just as we find that we do not give terumah from two of these kinds from one for the other, so, we do not give terumah from grains and from greens from one kind for the other.

"and the first of the shearing": and not the first (wool that is shed as a result) of the washing.

"the first of the shearing": and not the first of the tearing.

"the first of the shearing": both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of it.

"your flock": and not that of others (i.e., of gentiles [that you have purchased]). From here it was ruled that one who purchases the shearing of a flock belonging to gentiles is exempt from the (obligation of) the first of the shearing. The shearing of his flock (that he purchased) from his neighbor — if the seller left over (of the shearing itself) for himself, the seller is liable (for the first of the shearing); if he did not, (i.e., if he told the buyer: The first of the shearing of the Cohein is with you), the buyer is liable.

"shall you give to him": There must be enough for a gift — whence they ruled: How much does he give him? The weight of five selaim in Yehudah, which is ten in the Galil, cleansed, for the making of a small garment.

And how many sheep must there be for (the obligation of) the first of the shearing? Beth Shammai say: Two ewes, viz. (Isaiah 7:21) "And it shall be on that day that each man will raise a heifer and two sheep.

Beth Hillel say: Five, viz. (I Samuel 25:18) "and five prepared sheep."

R. Akiva says: "the first of the shearing" — two; "your flock" — three; "shall you give to him" — five.