Pisqa’ 107²⁷⁰

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.

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.]

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].

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.

“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..

“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].

“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

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.

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?

**“Of the herd, the flock . . . ” (Dt. 14:26).**²⁸¹

footnotes: ²⁸¹ Cf. M.MS.1:7.

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?

“On wine, beer” (Dt. 14:26).

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.

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

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].

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

“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.

“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.

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.”