Sifrei on Deuteronomy Sifrei Devarim 107

English · Shraga Silverstein

(Devarim 14:24) "And if it be too long for you": I might think that Scripture speaks of a length of time; it is, therefore, written "And if the way be too long for you" — a length of distance.

2

English · Shraga Silverstein

This tells me only of (one who has) much (tithes). Whence do I derive (the same for one who has) few (tithes)? From "so that you cannot carry it" (which can be understood as "so that you cannot carry it such a long distance").

3

English · Shraga Silverstein

This tells me only of a poor man (who lacks animals and wagons for transportation). Whence do I derive the same (i.e., "then you shall change it to money") for a rich man? From "for the L-rd your G-d will bless you."

4

English · Shraga Silverstein

(Ibid. 25) "then you shall change it to money": This tells me that he can exchange it only for silver ("Money," literally, is "silver.") Whence do I derive that he can use other coins as well as silver? It follows, viz.: Since offerings may be redeemed for silver and second-tithe may be redeemed for silver, then just as offerings may be redeemed for other coinage as well as for silver, so, second-tithe may be redeemed for other coinage as well as for silver. — (No,) this may be true of offerings, where other movables are equated with silver — as opposed to tithe, where other movables are not equated with silver! It is, therefore, written (twice, in 14:25) "money," "money," to include (any kind of money). (Ibid.) "vetzarta the money": Something which is customarily bound (litzror). These are the words of R. Yishmael. R. Akiva says: something which has a design (tzurah), to exclude an asimon (uncoined metal), which has no design.

5

English · Shraga Silverstein

"in your hand": to exclude (money) which is not in your possession.

6

English · Shraga Silverstein

"and you shall go to the place which the L-rd your G-d chooses": Shiloh or the Temple.

7

English · Shraga Silverstein

(Ibid. 26) "And you shall give the money": Three "monies" are mentioned herein: ([25] "then you shall change it to money," "vetzarta the money," [26] "and you shall give the money"), the first, for clean tithe; the second, for unclean tithe; the third, for what was bought with second-tithe money, which became unclean. R. Yehudah says: I might think that what was bought for second-tithe money, which became unclean, should be redeemed, and that this followed a fortiori, viz.: If second-tithe (itself) which became unclean is redeemed, then what was bought for second-tithe money, which became unclean — how much more so should it be redeemed! It is, therefore, written "the money" — the first money, and not the second money.

8

English · Shraga Silverstein

(Ibid. 26) "And you shall give the money for all that your soul desires": I might think, for men-servants and maid-servants, and land, and unclean beasts; it is, therefore, written "of herd and of flock."

9

English · Shraga Silverstein

This tells me only of food. Whence do I derive (the same for) drink? From "wine and strong drink."

10

English · Shraga Silverstein

This tells me only of food and drink. Whence do I derive the same for "enhancers" of food and drink, such as kosht, chimum, choice spices, tiah, hachlatith, peppers, and chalath charia? From "for all that your soul desires."

11

English · Shraga Silverstein

I might think, even water and salt; it is, therefore, written "of herd, flock, wine, and strong drink." Just as these are one fruit from another, originating from the earth [(Animals, too, derive their sustenance from the earth)], so, only all of this nature (is purchasable with tithe money).

12

English · Shraga Silverstein

"of the herd": We re hereby taught that a cow is acquired (for tithe money) together with its skin (i.e., the skin need not be sold for something which can be eaten.)

13

English · Shraga Silverstein

"of the flock": a sheep, together with its wool.

14

English · Shraga Silverstein

"of wine": the jug, together with its (storage vessel).

15

English · Shraga Silverstein

"of strong drink": pomace wine (made from grape husks steeped in water), after fermentation.

16

English · Shraga Silverstein

I might think he could buy (with the tithe money) a beast for his son's feast — it is, therefore, derived (that you may not, thus:) It is written here "rejoice," and, elsewhere (Ibid. 27:7) "rejoice." Just as there, with peace-offerings, so, here, with peace-offerings. — But (why not) just as there, burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, so, here, burnt-offerings and peace-offerings? For it is written (here) "and you shall eat … and you shall rejoice" — a rejoicing accompanied by eating, to exclude burnt-offerings, where there is no eating, (a burnt-offering being entirely burned).

Sifrei Devarim 107

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