Tuesday 14 May 2019

Bechorot 27: Gifts for Priests from Outside of Ha'Aretz

Teruma chutz ha'aretz, gifts given to priests from outside of Israel, are discussed in today's daf.  Rava says that this term is not subject to the laws of a priest who threshes floors, which is forbidden.  Rav Chana is said to have given it to his attendant, though, who was a priest.  Shmuel says that teruma from outside is neutralized at 100 parts of ordinary produce.  We learn that Rabba neutralized teruma in a larger quantities and used to eat it in the days of ritual impurity.  Shmuel also says that one may eat teruma from abroad without separating the priestly gifts in advance of the its transport.

The rabbis continue to discuss the obligation to separate term and ma'aser only within the land of Israel, like all agricultural laws apply only in Israel.  It may have been an ancient custom to separate these gifts and tithes from afar to ensure that the mitzvot are remembered.  The tradition spread from one centre to another.  Thus the rabbis were more lenient about theses mitzvot.

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