Mitzvah —
267
Not to eat Second Tithe oil outside Jerusalem
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לֹֽא־תוּכַ֞ל לֶאֱכֹ֣ל בִּשְׁעָרֶ֗יךָ מַעְשַׂ֤ר דְּגָֽנְךָ֙ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ֣ וְיִצְהָרֶ֔ךָ וּבְכֹרֹ֥ת בְּקָרְךָ֖ וְצֹאנֶ֑ךָ וְכׇל־נְדָרֶ֙יךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּדֹּ֔ר וְנִדְבֹתֶ֖יךָ וּתְרוּמַ֥ת יָדֶֽךָ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה
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Deuteronomy 12:17 - "You may not eat within your cities the tithe of your grain, or of your wine, or of your oil, or the firstborn of your cattle or of your sheep, or any of your vows that you will vow, or your donations, or the separation by your hand."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
It is forbidden to eat or consume Ma’aser Sheni oil outside of Jerusalem.
This mitzvah prohibits eating or using Ma’aser Sheni oil outside Jerusalem. The oil, like grain and wine, carries sanctity once designated as Ma’aser Sheni and may only be consumed in the holy city.
Oil was central in biblical life — for food, anointing, and light — and here the Torah channels its use toward holiness in Hashem’s city. By restricting its consumption, the mitzvah ensures that oil too serves as a vehicle of sanctity and communal joy before Hashem.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Ma’aser Sheni 2:1): Rules that oil of Ma’aser Sheni may not be eaten outside Jerusalem.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 606): Teaches that the mitzvah draws people regularly to Jerusalem, ensuring their connection with the sanctity of the place.
- Talmud (Makot 19b): Records lashes for consuming Ma’aser Sheni oil outside Jerusalem, treating it as a distinct prohibition.
- Rashi (Deuteronomy 12:17): Explains that oil, like grain and wine, is included to emphasize that all types of Ma’aser Sheni produce require Jerusalem for fulfillment.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
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.
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