Not to eat Second Tithe oil outside Jerusalem

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 606) teaches that by bringing Ma’aser Sheni oil to Jerusalem, the people display faith in Hashem’s command that true blessing and rejoicing occur only in His chosen place.

Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה

• Rambam (Hilchot Ma’aser Sheni 2:1) emphasizes that the oil’s sanctity is preserved by restricting its use to Jerusalem. This elevates a daily staple — oil — into a vehicle of holiness.

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

• Rashi (Deuteronomy 12:17) explains that oil, grain, and wine are listed separately to stress their unique importance. Reverence for Hashem’s will is shown by consuming them only in Jerusalem.

Purity – טָהֳרָה

• Talmud (Makot 19b) lists the prohibition of eating Ma’aser Sheni oil outside Jerusalem, linking it with purity. The mitzvah teaches that sacred consumption requires a setting of purity and sanctity.

Justice – צֶדֶק

• Sefer HaChinuch explains that justice in mitzvot means fulfilling them properly in their intended place. Using oil outside Jerusalem would deny Hashem’s command and distort its holy purpose.

Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת

• Oil was a central agricultural product of Eretz Yisrael, used for food, light, and anointing. This mitzvah sanctifies agriculture itself, channeling its produce into holy use.

Terumah / Ma’aser – תְּרוּמָה / מַעֲשֵׂר

• Rambam places this mitzvah within the system of tithes, showing that all categories (grain, wine, oil) carry sanctity and must be treated accordingly.

Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל

• Tithing is biblically binding only in the Land of Israel (Kiddushin 38b–39a). This mitzvah shows that the land’s bounty is not for secular use but for holiness tied to Jerusalem.

Community – קְהִלָּה

• Consuming Ma’aser Sheni oil in Jerusalem fostered communal meals and gatherings, uniting Israel in shared holiness and joy before Hashem.

Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

• The mitzvah is primarily about honoring Hashem by obeying His command. Oil, like grain and wine, becomes a way to serve Him directly in His chosen city.