Pisqa’ 107¹

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.

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:² 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 property³ 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.⁴

“In your hand” (Dt.14:25)—

this excludes [currency] that is beyond your control.⁵

“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].

3

“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]?⁶

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]?⁷

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 category⁸

consists of [clean coins offered in exchange for] clean tithe;

one category⁹

consists of [clean coins offered in exchange for] unclean tithe;

and one category¹⁰

consists of [clean coins] purchased with [other] Second-tithe currency.¹¹

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).¹²

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).

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,¹³

such as these:

costus, amomum, herb-tips,

crowfoot, asafoedita, peppers,

and saffron cakes?¹⁴

The Teaching states:

“Or any other thing that draws your appetite” (Dt.14:26).

I might infer that

[Second-tithe coins may be spent]

on water and salt!¹⁵

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.

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].¹⁶

“On beer” (Dt.14:26)—

and you may purchase the vat waste

[with Second-tithe coins]

once it has fermented.¹⁷

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)¹⁸—

just as the rejoicing mentioned elsewhere

requires a [consecrated] Communion-offering ,

so, too, the rejoicing mentioned here

requires a Communion-offering.¹⁹

Or [perhaps one can reason as follows]:

just as the rejoicing mentioned elsewhere (Dt.27:6-7)

requires [the slaughter of]

a Holocaust-offering²⁰ 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)].

1. H:154-155; JN1:273-275.
2. Heb: “silver.”
3. In this case, property devoted to the upkeep of the Holy Abode.
4. //M. Eduy.3:2; T. MS.1:4.
5. Cf. M. MS. 1:2; T. MS. 1:6..
6. //T. MS.2:17.
7. // M. MS. 3:10.
8. Subsumed under the verse, “you shall exchange currency” (Dt.14:25).
9. Subsumed under the verse, “and bind the currency” (Dt.14:25).
10. Subsumed under the verse, “spend the currency” (Dt.14:26),
11. 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.
12. Cf. M.MS.1:7.
13. Cf. M. MS. 2:1.
14. Translated following H:155.
15. Cf. M. MS. 1:5
16. Cf. M. MS. 1:3.
17. =M/ Hul.1:7.
18. Dt.27:7 reads: “And you shall slaughter Communion-offerings, and eat there, and rejoice before HASHEM your God”
19. 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.
20. Dt.27:6 reads: “Of whole stones shall you build the altar of HASHEM and place upon it Holocaust-offerings to HASHEM your God.”