Mitzvah —
254
Not to improperly preface one tithe to the next, but separate them in their proper order
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מְלֵאָתְךָ֥ וְדִמְעֲךָ֖ לֹ֣א תְאַחֵ֑ר בְּכ֥וֹר בָּנֶ֖יךָ תִּתֶּן־לִֽי׃ - פָּרָשַׁת מִשְׁפָּטִים
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Exodus 22:28 - "Your fullness offering and your heave offering you shall not delay; the firstborn of your sons you shall give Me."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
It is forbidden to separate the tithes out of order; each must be set aside in its proper sequence.
This mitzvah prohibits disrupting the Torah’s order of agricultural gifts. Terumah Gedolah must be separated first, followed by Ma’aser Rishon for the Levite, then Terumat Ma’aser from the Levite’s portion, and finally Ma’aser Sheni (or Ma’aser Ani in the third and sixth years).
Changing the order or delaying the separation of tithes undermines their sanctity and the system of provision that the Torah established.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Bikurim 1:7): Codifies that one who separates tithes out of order has transgressed this prohibition, though the tithe remains valid once separated.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 509): Explains that the mitzvah preserves respect for each category of gift and the hierarchy of sanctity.
- Talmud (Temurah 5a): Uses the principle “Ein ma’avirin al ha-mitzvot” — one may not pass over mitzvot or displace their proper order — to ground this prohibition.
- Rashi (Exodus 22:28): Interprets the verse as forbidding delay or disregard in giving the first gifts of produce.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 509) teaches that maintaining the correct order of tithes affirms faith in Hashem’s wisdom. By not rearranging or delaying, we trust that His sequence of mitzvot is purposeful and beneficial.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rambam (Hilchot Bikurim 1:7) rules that each tithe and portion carries a unique sanctity. Respecting the order preserves that holiness, ensuring it is not diminished or blurred by human interference.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- Rashi (Exodus 22:28) interprets “do not delay” as a call to fairness: each gift — whether to Kohanim, Levites, or the poor — must be given in turn. Reordering deprives rightful recipients and distorts justice.
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
- Talmud (Temurah 5a) establishes the principle “Ein ma’avirin al ha-mitzvot” — one may not bypass or alter mitzvot. Applied to agriculture, it ensures the farmer treats each stage of separation with care and discipline.
Terumah / Ma’aser – תְּרוּמָה / מַעֲשֵׂר
- Rambam highlights that this mitzvah safeguards the structure of agricultural obligations: Terumah Gedolah, Ma’aser Rishon, Terumat Ma’aser, and finally Ma’aser Sheni or Ani. This order reflects both sanctity and social responsibility.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- Tithes are biblically mandated only in the Land of Israel (Kiddushin 38b–39a). The order of separation thus reflects the unique sanctity of the land and its agricultural produce.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- The mitzvah is fundamentally about obedience to Hashem’s system. Even if reordering seems practical, honoring His sequence affirms devotion to His command rather than human reasoning.
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