Saturday 25 November 2017

Makkot 19: Ma'aser Sheni

Our daf continues the discussion about bikurim. However, we move into the discussion of "what about after the Temple,"  which applies to us today.  The rabbis consider how the ma'aser sheni should be separated and exchanged and consumed.  This brings the rabbis to a discussion of the holiness of place.

Jerusalem is understood as holding the presence of G-d and thus it will be holy forever.  The land of Israel is holy because of G-d's will; the presence of the Temple was proof of that holiness.  Thus we are to continue to the practice of ma'aser sheni through the somewhat symbolic transfer of value from one substance to another, and Jerusalem is the site of consumption and/or exchange.

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