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One must separate tithes from grain, legumes, fruits, and vegetables which grow in the Land of Israel. Only afterwards may one eat them. The Torah instituted these tithes to help holy causes in Israel: supporting the priests and Levites who taught the nation, sponsoring pilgrimages to the Temple for the festivals, and aiding the poor. Originally, there were five types of agricultural tithes:
- Teruma Gedola. About two percent of the crops were given to the priests.
- Ma’aser Rishon (the first tithe). Ten percent of the crops were given to the Levites.
- Terumat Ma’aser. The Levites separated a tenth of the ma’aser rishon they received and gave it to the priests.
- Ma’aser Sheni (the second tithe). This was ten percent of the remaining crops. In the first, second, fourth, and fifth years of the seven-year cycle, the owners took these fruits (or their monetary equivalent) to Jerusalem and ate them there in a state of purity (19:10 above). Ideally, the fruits were shared with poor pilgrims. In this way, thanks to ma’aser sheni, Jews could have spiritually uplifting vacations in Jerusalem and reconnect with sacred values.
- Ma’aser Ani (the tithe for the poor). In the third and sixth year of every seven-year cycle, instead of ma’aser sheni, a tithe was given to the poor throughout the Land (6:1 and 6:6 above).
Unfortunately, the Torah obligations of terumot and ma’asrot are no longer in force today. This is because of the destruction of the Temple and Jewish dispersion (which led to the unnatural situation in which the majority of Jews are living outside the Land). Furthermore, the priests and Levites no longer function as public servants. Accordingly, the terumot and ma’asrot obligations are now rabbinic, and meant to remind us of the original Torah laws. In the next section, we will explain how this plays out in practice.
