Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted
Hebrew Text
לֹא־תוּכַל לֶאֱכֹל בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ מַעְשַׂר דְּגָנְךָ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ וּבְכֹרֹת בְּקָרְךָ וְצֹאנֶךָ וְכָל־נְדָרֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר תִּדֹּר וְנִדְבֹתֶיךָ וּתְרוּמַת יָדֶךָ׃
English Translation
Thou mayst not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, or any of thy vows which thou vowest, or thy freewill offerings, or offering of thy hand:
Transliteration
Lo tuchal le'ekhol bish'arecha ma'aser dganecha vetiroshcha veyitzharecha uv'chorot bekarcha vetzoncha vechol nedarecha asher tidor venidvotecha utrumat yadecha.
Hebrew Leining Text
לֹֽא־תוּכַ֞ל לֶאֱכֹ֣ל בִּשְׁעָרֶ֗יךָ מַעְשַׂ֤ר דְּגָֽנְךָ֙ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ֣ וְיִצְהָרֶ֔ךָ וּבְכֹרֹ֥ת בְּקָרְךָ֖ וְצֹאנֶ֑ךָ וְכׇל־נְדָרֶ֙יךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּדֹּ֔ר וְנִדְבֹתֶ֖יךָ וּתְרוּמַ֥ת יָדֶֽךָ׃
🎵 Listen to leining
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Pesachim 72b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the laws of eating tithes and offerings within the city gates, particularly in relation to the sanctity of Jerusalem.
📖 Zevachim 112a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the permissibility of eating certain offerings outside the designated holy areas, emphasizing the restrictions on consuming tithes and offerings within one's gates.
Prohibition Against Eating Tithes and Offerings Outside Jerusalem
The verse (Devarim 12:17) prohibits consuming certain sacred items—tithes, firstborn animals, vows, freewill offerings, and terumah—outside the designated area of Jerusalem. This restriction emphasizes the sanctity of these items and their proper use in the service of Hashem.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Devarim 12:17) clarifies that this prohibition applies specifically to Ma'aser Sheni (the second tithe), which must be eaten in Jerusalem. He distinguishes between Ma'aser Sheni, which is holy and must be consumed within Jerusalem's boundaries, and Ma'aser Ani (the poor tithe), which has no such restriction. The verse also includes other sanctified items, such as firstborn animals (Bechorot) and voluntary offerings (Nedarim and Nedavot), which must be brought to the Beit HaMikdash.
Rambam's Legal Perspective
In Hilchot Ma'aser Sheni (2:1), the Rambam elaborates that Ma'aser Sheni is considered "Kodesh" (holy) and must be eaten in a state of purity within Jerusalem. He further states (Hilchot Bechorot 1:2) that firstborn animals are also sanctified and must be given to the Kohanim, who consume them in Jerusalem under specific conditions.
Midrashic Insight
The Sifrei (Devarim 12:17) connects this mitzvah to the broader theme of centralizing worship in Jerusalem. By requiring these sacred items to be eaten in Jerusalem, the Torah ensures that the people maintain a strong connection to the Beit HaMikdash and its spiritual significance.
Key Prohibited Items
Spiritual Significance
The restriction teaches that holiness requires boundaries. By limiting where sacred items may be consumed, the Torah instills reverence for mitzvot and reinforces Jerusalem's role as the spiritual center of Jewish life. This mitzvah also fosters unity, as all Jews must gather in Jerusalem to fulfill these obligations.