Second Tithe and Tithe for the Poor

Question

This question revolves around the Second Tithe and Tithe for the Poor summarized in Deut 14:22-29.

For the sake of clarity, let’s assume we live in the Land.

In Deut 14:22-27, the Torah indicates that every year of the 7-year shemittah cycle, we should observe the Feasts (Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot) in the place G-d chooses i.e. Jerusalem if residing in the Land.

Deut 14:28-29 is unclear on how one is to use their Festival (Second) Tithe and go to Jerusalem each year and how to distribute the Poor Tithe in Years 3 and 6.

I’ve searched the Mishnah and other sources but could not find any real-world examples of how this was done and how we could use the principles for observing the Feasts and Tithing to the Poor in Years 3 and 6 today.

To summarize the Question:

During the Maaser Ani years, if the tithes were given to the poor, how did the pilgrims pay for their travel and eat when they went to Jerusalem? Or, is the Poor Tithe an additional tithe aka Third Tithe in Years 3 and 6?

Any resources that would help explain how this was applied would be greatly appreciated as I am working on a Teaching on this subject.

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    The various laws are found in the Babylonian Talmud and they are codefied by the Rambam.

    Ma’aser Sheni was comprised of fruits that were brought by the owners (or the immediate family of the owner) to Yerushalayim. They had to be eaten in Yerushalayim. If the person traveling to Yerushalayim lived too far away he could redeem the fruits for money and then travel to Yerushalayim. Once in Yerushalayim he had to use the money for food during his stay. The Rabbis teach that large estates that had a lot of produce would have family members living in Yerushalayim permanently because there was so much produce (or money) and it had to be eaten in Yerushalayim.

    Ma’aser Oni had to be given to a poor person. There was no obligation to bring it to Yerushalayim and give to a poor person in Yerushalayim. Rather, it could be given to any poor person that the person distributing the produce chose to give it to.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team