Ma'aser Sheni - The Second Tithe - Exploring It's History And Significance To Jewish Tradition And Worship
The commandment to give a tenth of one's produce to the Temple in Jerusalem is mentioned several times in the Torah. In Deuteronomy 14:22-23, it states: "You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always."
The purpose of Ma'aser Sheni was to support the Levites, who were responsible for the service in the Temple, and to provide for the poor. The farmer would bring the produce to Jerusalem and eat it there, or sell it and use the money to buy food and drink for the pilgrimage festival.
Ma'aser Sheni was different from the regular tithe, which was given to the Levites. The second tithe was eaten by the farmer and his family in Jerusalem, or sold and the money used to buy food and drink for the pilgrimage festival. If the farmer lived too far away from Jerusalem to bring the produce, he could exchange it for money and bring the money to Jerusalem instead.
Ma'aser Sheni was only given in years three and six of the seven-year agricultural cycle. In the first, second, fourth, and fifth years, the farmer would give a regular tithe to the Levites. In the seventh year, known as the Sabbatical year, no tithes were given at all.
The practice of Ma'aser Sheni continued until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. After that, the commandment could no longer be fulfilled in the same way. However, the concept of giving a tenth of one's income to support the poor and the community continues to be an important part of Jewish tradition.
In conclusion, Ma'aser Sheni was a biblical commandment that required Jewish farmers to set aside a tenth of their produce every year and bring it to Jerusalem. The purpose of the second tithe was to support the Levites and provide for the poor. Although the commandment can no longer be fulfilled in the same way, the concept of giving a tenth of one's income to support the community continues to be an important part of Jewish tradition.
