Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Numbers 15:19 mean?
A: Numbers 15:19 teaches that when the Jewish people eat from the produce of the Land of Israel, they must separate a portion as a gift to Hashem. This refers to the mitzvah of 'terumah' (heave offering) given to the kohanim (priests), as explained in the Talmud (Chullin 131b) and codified by Rambam (Hilchos Terumos 1:1).
Q: Why is separating terumah important?
A: Separating terumah is important because it acknowledges that the Land of Israel and its produce belong to Hashem. Rashi (on this verse) explains that this mitzvah applies specifically in Eretz Yisrael, showing our gratitude for the land's bounty. The Talmud (Berachos 35a) teaches that eating without separating terumah is like stealing from Hashem.
Q: Does the mitzvah of terumah apply today?
A: According to Orthodox Jewish law, the biblical obligation of terumah only applies when most Jews live in Israel and the Temple stands (Rambam, Hilchos Terumos 1:26). Today, without the Temple, we still separate terumah and maaser (tithes) as a rabbinic ordinance, but it must be done differently (e.g., making the terumah unfit for use).
Q: What can we learn from this verse about our relationship with food?
A: This verse teaches us that eating is not just a physical act, but a spiritual one. The Midrash (Sifri) explains that separating terumah sanctifies our food, reminding us that material blessings come from Hashem. This idea extends to saying brachos (blessings) before and after eating, as discussed in Talmud Berachos.
Q: What types of food require terumah?
A: The Mishnah (Terumos 2:6) and Rambam (Hilchos Terumos 2:1-2) explain that terumah is separated from the 'bread of the land' - meaning the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, oats, rye) and other produce grown in Israel. Wine and oil also require terumah, as derived from other verses in the Torah.
The Mitzvah of Terumah from the Produce of Eretz Yisrael
The verse (Numbers 15:19) establishes the mitzvah of separating terumah (a portion designated for the Kohanim) when partaking of the produce of the Land of Israel. Rashi explains that this commandment applies specifically to the seven species for which Eretz Yisrael is praised (Deuteronomy 8:8), emphasizing the sanctity of the land and its produce.
The Timing of the Obligation
According to Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 3:1), the obligation to separate terumah takes effect once the produce is fully processed and ready for consumption. The phrase "ba'acholchem milechem ha'aretz" ("when you eat of the bread of the land") teaches that the mitzvah applies at the time of eating, not during harvesting or storage.
The Spiritual Significance of Terumah
Halachic Details from Talmudic Sources
The Talmud (Chullin 137b) derives from this verse that terumah must be given from food that is fit for human consumption (ma'achal ben drusai). The Minchat Chinuch (Mitzvah 385) elaborates that this includes only fully processed grain, excluding raw produce or items not normally eaten.
The Relationship Between Physical and Spiritual Sustenance
The Kli Yakar explains that the act of separating terumah elevates the physical act of eating into a spiritual endeavor. By first dedicating a portion to Hashem, we transform our mundane meals into acts of divine service, paralleling the way the Kohanim served in the Beit HaMikdash.