Mitzvah —
262
Not to spend its redemption money on anything but food, drink, or ointment
This page is incomplete.
Help complete the
Mitzvah Minute website.
Do a Mitzvah — Join us in building a living digital Beit Midrash — your partnership makes it possible.
-
לֹא־אָכַ֨לְתִּי בְאֹנִ֜י מִמֶּ֗נּוּ וְלֹא־בִעַ֤רְתִּי מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ בְּטָמֵ֔א וְלֹא־נָתַ֥תִּי מִמֶּ֖נּוּ לְמֵ֑ת שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י עָשִׂ֕יתִי כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּיתָֽנִי׃ - פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא
-
Deuteronomy 26:14 - "I did not eat any of it [second tithe] while in my mourning, nor did I consume any of it while unclean; neither did I use any of it for the dead. I obeyed the Lord, my God; I did according to all that You commanded me."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
The redemption money of Ma’aser Sheni may only be used to purchase food, drink, or items connected with eating and rejoicing in Jerusalem.
When transporting produce of Ma’aser Sheni to Jerusalem was impractical, the Torah permitted redeeming it for money. However, the money itself is sanctified and must be used only to purchase food, drink, or ointment to be enjoyed in Jerusalem.
This mitzvah prevents misuse of holy funds for mundane or personal gain. It ensures the sanctity of Ma’aser Sheni is preserved by channeling it into acts of joy and holiness in Hashem’s city.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Ma’aser Sheni 7:1): Rules that money of Ma’aser Sheni retains holiness and cannot be diverted to non-consumable goods.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 608): Explains that the mitzvah preserves the holiness of Ma’aser Sheni even after redemption, ensuring its purpose is not lost.
- Talmud (Kiddushin 54b): Discusses limitations on what may be bought with redemption money, excluding clothing, utensils, or non-food items.
- Rashi (Deuteronomy 26:14): Notes that the restriction keeps the mitzvah aligned with rejoicing before Hashem, as intended.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 608) explains that limiting the use of redemption money fosters faith by reminding us that even after conversion to currency, the sanctity of Ma’aser Sheni remains. This trains us to see Hashem’s holiness extending beyond the physical crop.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rambam (Hilchot Ma’aser Sheni 7:1) rules that the money retains its sanctity and must be spent only on food, drink, or ointment to be consumed in Jerusalem. This safeguards the holiness of the mitzvah in every stage.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Rashi (Deuteronomy 26:14) teaches that this mitzvah channels the funds toward rejoicing before Hashem. Restricting their use instills reverence by reminding us that the money is not ours for personal whims but remains dedicated to Divine service.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- Talmud (Kiddushin 54b) clarifies that non-consumable goods (like clothing or utensils) may not be purchased. This ensures fairness in how the sanctified money is used — aligned with Hashem’s will, not self-interest.
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
- Though the produce may be redeemed, its sanctity continues to guide agricultural mitzvot. This teaches that the holiness of the land is not limited to crops themselves but extends into how their value is used.
Terumah / Ma’aser – תְּרוּמָה / מַעֲשֵׂר
- Rambam explains that Ma’aser Sheni after redemption is still bound by Torah law. This shows that tithing is not merely symbolic but maintains force even when the form changes.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- Talmud (Kiddushin 38b–39a) affirms that the mitzvah of Ma’aser Sheni is biblically binding only in Israel, reinforcing the land’s unique sanctity in channeling produce toward holiness.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- The mitzvah ensured that redeemed Ma’aser Sheni money would still be used for communal joy in Jerusalem. By gathering to eat and rejoice, the people strengthened their unity and connection to the Temple.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- Ultimately, this mitzvah is about obedience to Hashem’s command and reverence for His sanctity. Restricting use of the funds keeps the focus on Divine service and prevents dilution of purpose.
