ספרי דברים 107

(דברים יד כד) וְכִי יִרְבֶּה מִמְּךָ הַדֶּרֶךְ, יָכוֹל בְּרִחוּק זְמַן הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: יִרְחַק מִמְּךָ הַמָּקוֹם, בְּרִחוּק מָקוֹם הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר וְלֹא בְּרִחוּק זְמַן.

Pisqa’ 107²⁷⁰H:154-155; JN1:273-275.
1. “Now, if the distance is too great for you” (Dt.14:24).
Is it possible that
the verse is speaking of travel time [to Jerusalem]?
The Teaching states:
“For the place is far from you” (Dt.14:24)—
the verse here speaks of physical distance
rather than travel time.

אֵין לִי אֶלָּא בִּזְמַן שֶׁהוּא מְרֻבֶּה, מִנַּיִן אֲפִלּוּ לַמּוּעָט? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: כִּי לֹא תוּכַל שְׂאֵתוֹ.

I might infer that
at issue is a lengthy period [of travel to Jerusalem];
on what basis do I know that
travelling even a short distance
[justifies converting Second-tithe produce to currency]?
The Teaching states:
“So that you are unable to transport it” (Dt.14:24)—
[even a short distance.]

אֵין לִי אֶלָּא עָנִי, עָשִׁיר מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: כִּי יְבָרֶכְךָ ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ.

I might infer that
only a pauper [may convert Second-tithe produce to currency]; on what basis do I know that [the option is open to] the rich as well?
The Teaching states:
“For HASHEM your God has blessed you” (Dt.14:24)—
[thus, the rich, too, may convert their Second-tithe into currency in order to avoid the expense of transportation].

(דברים יד כה) וְנָתַתָּה בַּכָּסֶף – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁאֵין מִתְחַלֵּל אֶלָּא עַל הַכֶּסֶף. מִנַּיִן לַעֲשׂוֹת שְׁאָר מַטְבֵּעַ כַּכֶּסֶף? דִּין הוּא: הוֹאִיל וְהֶקְדֵּשׁ מִתְחַלֵּל וּמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי מִתְחַלֵּל, מָה הֶקְדֵּשׁ עָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מַטְבֵּעַ כַּכֶּסֶף – אַף מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי עָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מַטְבֵּעַ כַּכֶּסֶף. מָה לְהֶקְדֵּשׁ שֶׁעָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מַטְבֵּעַ כַּכֶּסֶף, שֶׁהֲרֵי עָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מִטַּלְטְלִים כַּכֶּסֶף, תֹּאמַר בְּמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי שֶׁלֹּא עָשָׂה בּוֹ שְׁאָר מִטַּלְטְלִים כַּכֶּסֶף? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וְצַרְתָּ הַכֶּסֶף, דָּבָר שֶׁדַּרְכּוֹ לִצְרֹר, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָה אוֹמֵר: דָּבָר שֶׁיֵּשׁ עָלָיו צוּרָה, פְּרָט לְסִימוֹן שֶׁאֵין עָלָיו צוּרָה.

2. “Then you shall convert it into currency” (kesef:²⁷¹Heb: “silver.” Dt. 14:25).
This teaches that
[Second-tithe produce can] only
be deconsecrated with silver coins (kesef).
On what basis do I know that,
[when deconsecrating Second-tithe produce,]
we may treat all coins like silver?
Now, reason dictates this:
Consecrated property²⁷²In this case, property devoted to the upkeep of the Holy Abode. can be deconsecrated
[in exchange for currency],
and Second-tithe produce can be deconsecrated
[by the same exchange]—
just as with [the deconsecration of] consecrated property,
we treat all coins like silver
[for purposes of the exchange],
so, too, with [the deconsecration of] Second-tithe,
we treat all coins like silver
[for purposes of the exchange].
[But I can refute this reasoning, as follows!]
Just as with [the deconsecration of] consecrated property,
we treat all coins like silver—
and, indeed,
we treat all movable property like silver
[for this purpose]—
will you claim regarding Second-tithe,
[that all coins are treated like silver],
insofar as we do not consider all movable property to be [like] silver
[when deconsecrating Second-tithe]?
The Teaching states:
“And bind (tzarta) the currency up in your hand” (Dt.14:25)—
[bind refers] to something [like silver] that is normally bundled (litzror):
words of R. Ishmael.
R. Akiva says:
[bind refers] to something that bears an imprint (tzurah).
This excludes [the use of] a slug,
which bears no imprint.²⁷³//M. Eduy.3:2; T. MS.1:4.

בְּיָדְךָ – פְּרָט לְשֶׁיָּצָא חוּץ מֵרְשׁוּתְךָ.

“In your hand” (Dt.14:25)—
this excludes [currency] that is beyond your control.²⁷⁴Cf. M. MS. 1:2; T. MS. 1:6..

וְהָלַכְתָּ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ בּוֹ – זוֹ שִׁילֹה וּבֵית עוֹלָמִים.

“And you shall travel to the place
in which HASHEM your God has chosen” (Dt.14:25)—
namely, Shiloh [in its day] or the Eternal Abode [in its day].

(דברים יד כו) וְנָתַתָּה הַכֶּסֶף בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תְּאַוֶּה נַפְשְׁךָ, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: יָכוֹל הַלָּקוּחַ בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר, שֶׁנִּטְמָא – טָעוּן פִּדְיוֹן? וְדִין הוּא: וּמָה מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי עַצְמוֹ שֶׁנִּטְמָא, הֲרֵי הוּא נִפְדֶּה; הַלָּקוּחַ בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר שֶׁנִּטְמָא – אֵינוֹ דִין שֶׁיִּפָּדֶה? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: כֶּסֶף – כֶּסֶף רִאשׁוֹן וְלֹא כֶסֶף שֵׁנִי. אֵין לִי אֶלָּא טָהוֹר, טָמֵא מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: כֶּסֶף – כֶּסֶף רִאשׁוֹן וְלֹא כֶסֶף שֵׁנִי! שְׁלֹשָׁה כְסָפִים נֶאֶמְרוּ בָעִנְיָן: אֶחָד לְמַעֲשֵׂר טָהוֹר וְאֶחָד לְמַעֲשֵׂר טָמֵא וְאֶחָד לַלָּקוּחַ בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר.

“And exchange the currency for whatever your heart desires” (Dt.14:26). R Judah says:
Is it possible to hold that
goods exchanged for Second-tithe coins [in Jerusalem],
which became unclean [prior to consumption],
require redemption [in exchange with other coins]?²⁷⁵//T. MS.2:17.
Now, reason dictates this:
Just as Second-tithe produce itself,
which became unclean,
indeed, is redeemed [in exchange for coins],
so, too, produce purchased with Second-tithe coins [in Jerusalem],
which became unclean—
isn’t it reasonable that
it should be redeemed [with clean coins]?²⁷⁶// M. MS. 3:10.
4. The Teaching states:
“Exchange the currency” (Dt.14:25)—
this is the currency used in the first exchange
[of coins for clean produce to transport to Jerusalem],
but not to currency used in a second exchange
[of coins for clean produce to eat within Jerusalem].
I infer only that
[Second-tithe coins themselves] must be clean.
On what basis do I know that
they may be unclean as well?
The Teaching states:
“Exchange the currency” and “bind the currency” (Dt.14:25)—
referring to currency used in the first exchange
[of clean coins for clean tithe outside of Jerusalem],
but not to currency used in a second exchange
[of unclean coins for clean produce in Jerusalem].
Three categories of currency are under discussion here (Dt.14:25).
one category²⁷⁷Subsumed under the verse, “you shall exchange currency” (Dt.14:25).
consists of [clean coins offered in exchange for] clean tithe;
one category²⁷⁸Subsumed under the verse, “and bind the currency” (Dt.14:25).
consists of [clean coins offered in exchange for] unclean tithe;
and one category²⁷⁹Subsumed under the verse, “spend the currency” (Dt.14:26),
consists of [clean coins] purchased with [other] Second-tithe currency.²⁸⁰The text in reduce type is lacking in RH and in ed. Ish-Shalom. See F:168.n.7. Pardo, ad loc., includes that material in his text of Sifre.

בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תְּאַוֶּה נַפְשְׁךָ, יָכוֹל בַּעֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחוֹת וְקַרְקָעוֹת? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: בַּבָּקָר וּבַצֹּאן.

5. “On whatever your heart desires:
be it of the herd, the flock, wine, beer, or any other thing that draws your appetite” Dt.14:26).
Is it possible to suppose that
[the Second-tithe coins may be spent]
on slaves, servant girls, or land?
The Teaching states:
“Of the herd, the flock . . . ” (Dt.14:26).²⁸¹Cf. M.MS.1:7.

אֵין לִי אֶלָּא אֲכִילָה, שְׁתִיָּה מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וּבַיַּיִן וּבַשֵּׁכָר.

I might infer that
[Second-tithe coins may be spent]
only on food.
On what basis do I know that
[Second-tithe coins may be spent]
on drink?
The Teaching states:
“On wine, beer” (Dt.14:26).

אֵין לִי אֶלָּא אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה, מִנַּיִן אַף מַשְׁבִּיחֵי אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה, כְּגוֹן הַקּוֹשְׁטְ וְהַחִמּוּם וְרָאשֵׁי בְשָׂמִים וְהַתֵּיאָה וְהַחִלְתִּית וְהַפִּלְפְּלִים וְחַלּוֹת הָרֵיעַ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וּבְכֹל אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁאָלְךָ נַפְשֶׁךָ.

I might infer that
[Second-tithe coins may be spent]
only on food or drink.
On what basis do I know that
[one may spend the coins]
on complements to food or drink,²⁸²Cf. M. MS. 2:1.
such as these:
costus, amomum, herb-tips,
crowfoot, asafoedita, peppers,
and saffron cakes?²⁸³Translated following H:155.
The Teaching states:
“Or any other thing that draws your appetite” (Dt.14:26).

יָכוֹל אַף מַיִם וָמֶלַח? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: בַּבָּקָר וּבַצֹּאן וּבַיַּיִן וּבַשֵּׁכָר, מָה אֵלּוּ מְיֻחָדִים, שֶׁהֵם פְּרִי מִן הַפְּרִי וְגִדּוּלָם מִן הָאָרֶץ, אַף אֵין לִי אֶלָּא דָבָר שֶׁהוּא פְּרִי מִן הַפְּרִי וְגִדּוּלוֹ מִן הָאָרֶץ.

I might infer that
[Second-tithe coins may be spent]
on water and salt!²⁸⁴Cf. M. MS. 1:5
The Teaching states:
“Be it of the herd, the flock, on wine, beer, or any other thing” (Dt.14:26).
Just as these are distinctive in being
fruit spawned from fruit and
and in growing from the earth,
I infer that
[Second-tithe coins may be spent]
only on fruit spawned from fruit,
and on what grows from the earth.

בֶּן בַּג בַּג אוֹמֵר: בַּבָּקָר – וְלָקַחְתָּ פָּרָה עַל יְדֵי עוֹרָהּ.

6. The son of Bag Bag says:
“Of the herd” (Dt.14:26)—
thus, you may purchase [with Second-tithe coins]
a cow and its hide [as separate items].

בַּצֹּאן – וְלָקַחְתָּ רָחֵל עַל יְדֵי גִּזָּתָהּ,

“Of the flock” (Dt.14:26)—
and you may purchase [with Second-tithe coins]
a ewe and its wool [as separate items].

בַּיַּיִן – וְלָקַחְתָּ חָבִית עַל יְדֵי קַנְקַנָּהּ,

“On wine” (Dt.14:26)—
and you may purchase [with Second-tithe coins]
a vat or its jug [as items separate from the wine].²⁸⁵Cf. M. MS. 1:3.

וּבַשֵּׁכָר – וְלָקַחְתָּ תֶּמֶד מִשֶּׁתַּחְמִיץ.

“On beer” (Dt.14:26)—
and you may purchase the vat waste
[with Second-tithe coins]
once it has fermented.²⁸⁶=M/ Hul.1:7.

יָכוֹל יִקַּח בְּהֵמָה לְמִשְׁתֵּה בְּנוֹ? – הֲרֵי אַתָּה דָן: נֶאֱמַר כָּאן ״שִׂמְחָה״ וְנֶאֱמַר לְהַלָּן (דברים כז ז) ״שִׂמְחָה״, מַה שִׂמְחָה הָאֲמוּרָה לְהַלָּן – שְׁלָמִים, אַף שִׂמְחָה הָאֲמוּרָה כָּאן – שְׁלָמִים. אוֹ מַה שִׂמְחָה הָאֲמוּרָה לְהַלָּן עוֹלָה וּשְׁלָמִים, אַף שִׂמְחָה הָאֲמוּרָה כָּאן עוֹלָה וּשְׁלָמִים? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂמַחְתָּ, שִׂמְחָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ עִמָּהּ אֲכִילָה; יָצְאוּ עוֹלוֹת שֶׁאֵין עִמָּהֶן אֲכִילָה.

7. [“And you and your household will rejoice” (Dt.14:26).]
Is it possible to say that
one may purchase [with Second-tithe coins]
an animal for his son’s wedding feast?
Look—you can reason as follows:
here, the term rejoice is mentioned (Dt.14:26)
and elsewhere the term rejoice is mentioned (Dt.27:7)²⁸⁷Dt.27:7 reads: “And you shall slaughter Communion-offerings, and eat there, and rejoice before HASHEM your God”—
just as the rejoicing mentioned elsewhere
requires a [consecrated] Communion-offering,
so, too, the rejoicing mentioned here
requires a Communion-offering.²⁸⁸The midrashist assumes the existence of the Temple, where families brought Communion offerings at joyous occasions. Since a deconsecrated Second-tithe animal cannot substitute for a Communion-offering, neither can it be served in the wedding feast.
Or [perhaps one can reason as follows]:
just as the rejoicing mentioned elsewhere (Dt.27:6-7)
requires [the slaughter of]
a Holocaust-offering²⁸⁹Dt.27:6 reads: “Of whole stones shall you build the altar of HASHEM and place upon it Holocaust-offerings to HASHEM your God.” and a Communion-offering,
so, too, the rejoicing mentioned here
might require [the slaughter of]
a Holocaust-offering and a Communion-offering.
The Teaching states:
“And you shall eat . . . rejoice” (Dt.14:26)—
to rejoice includes eating.
It thus excludes [the slaughter of] Holocaust-offerings,
for eating is not included [in their rite (i.e., Dt.27:6-7)].