Sifrei on Deuteronomy Sifrei Devarim 106

English · Shraga Silverstein

(Devarim 14:23) "And you shall eat before the L-rd your G-d, etc." R. Yossi says three things in the name of three elders:

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English · Shraga Silverstein

R. Akiva says: I might think that one brings firstlings from outside of Eretz Yisrael to the land (to be sacrificed); it is, therefore, written (Ibid.) "And you shall eat before the L-rd your G-d, in the place that He shall choose to repose His name there the tithe of your corn … and the firstlings." From the place whence you bring the corn tithe (i.e., Eretz Yisrael) you bring firstlings. From outside Eretz Yisrael, whence you do not bring the corn tithe, you do not bring firstlings.

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English · Shraga Silverstein

Shimon b. Azzai says: I might think that just as the Torah prescribed a partition between (the eating of) holy of holies, (these being eaten within the curtains) and (the eating of) lower-order offerings, (these being eaten within the wall of Jerusalem), so, it prescribed a partition between (the eating of) a firstling and (the eating of) second-tithe. But it follows (otherwise), viz.: A firstling requires "bringing to the place" and the tithe requires "bringing to the place." Just as a firstling is eaten only within the wall, so, second-tithe is eaten only within the wall. — (No, this may be refuted, viz.:) Why was the space of eating a firstling limited? Because the time for its eating was limited (— two days and one night). But, as to second-tithe, whose eating time was expanded (— up to three years), say that since its eating time was expanded, its eating space should likewise be expanded! It is, therefore, written "And you shall eat it before the L-rd your G-d in the place that He shall choose, etc." Just as a firstling is eaten only within the wall, so, second-tithe.

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English · Shraga Silverstein

R. Yishmael says: I might think that nowadays one should bring up second-tithe (to Jerusalem) and eat it (there). But it follows (otherwise), viz.: A firstling requires "bringing to the place," and the tithe requires "bringing to the place." Just as a firstling is eaten only in the presence of the Temple, so, second-tithe is eaten only in the presence of the Temple. — (No, this may be refuted, viz.:) This may be true of a firstling, which requires blood and devoted portions for the altar — as opposed to second-tithe, which does not require these things. — This is refuted by bikkurim (first-fruits), which, though they do not require blood and devoted portions for the altar, they are eaten only in the presence of the Temple — No, (this may be refuted), viz.: This may be true of bikkurim, which require placing before the altar — as opposed to second-tithe, which does not require this! — It must, therefore, be written "And you shall eat before the L-rd your G-d, in the place that He shall choose to repose His name there, the tithe of your corn … and the firstlings, etc." Second-tithe is being compared to firstlings. Just as firstlings are eaten only in the presence of the Temple, so, second-tithe is eaten only in the presence of the Temple.

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English · Shraga Silverstein

Others say: I might think that if a firstling passed its time (for sacrifice) from one year to the next it would be invalidated as are the (other) offerings (in such an instance); it is, therefore, written "And you shall eat … the tithe … and the firstlings." A firstling is being compared to second-tithe, viz.: Just as second-tithe is eaten from one year to the next, so, a firstling.

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English · Shraga Silverstein

(Ibid.) "so that you learn to fear the L-rd your G-d": We are hereby taught that the act leads to fear. "all of the days": both weekdays and Sabbath.

Sifrei Devarim 106

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