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| Korach: The Lesson of Ma'aser (Tithes) |
Levies for Levites
After the Korach rebellion, challenging the special status of the
Levites and the kohanim, God enumerated the various ways the Jewish
people support the tribe of Levi. The Levites were engaged in the
Temple service and teaching the nation, yet received no inheritance
in the Land of Israel.
It is interesting to note that produce does not always need to be
tithed. For example, we need not set aside ma'aser when snacking
on fruit while it is still in the orchard. Unless the produce has
entered the home, it does not require tithing.
At what exact point does one need to set aside a tenth for the
Levites? The Sages disagreed on this matter. Rabbi Yanai said that
the fruit must cross the entrance of the house. According to Rabbi
Yochanan, it is enough to enter the courtyard. (Berachot 36a)
Why should tithing only be obligatory after the fruit has entered
our property? And why did the Sages disagree whether it is the
entrance to the house or the courtyard that determines this
obligation?
Conquering Avarice
In addition to supporting the Levites, tithing fulfills an
important function for the farmer donating his produce. People are
naturally possessive of their property and money. Tithing provides
us with the opportunity to rise above these selfish feelings of
possessiveness, and contribute towards the spiritual aspirations of
the community. Instead of merely satisfying our own personal
pleasure, our produce acquires an elevated purpose, supporting the
Temple service and the education of the nation.
We can distinguish between two levels of possession of property:
de facto and emotional .
Rabbi Yochanan, on the other hand, pointed to the courtyard as the
determining factor. The courtyard is a legal gray area. It is a
place where the general public has access; yet, it also has
characteristics of a private domain. Here we have a sense of
ownership, even though it may not always be easy to enforce that
sentiment. According to Rabbi Yochanan, even this weaker sense of
possessiveness must be refined, so that we can completely elevate
our private desires to universal, spiritual goals.
(adapted from Ein Eyah vol. II, p. 175)
Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison
"To the descendants of Levi, I am now giving all the tithes
(ma'aser) in Israel as an inheritance. This is exchange for their
work, the service that they perform in the Communion Tent."
(Num. 18:21-22)
Rabbi Yanai spoke of the house-entrance as the moment at which one
is obligated to tithe. He referred to the first form of ownership,
de facto possession. The house is clearly one's private domain,
where his property is under his de facto control. According to
Rabbi Yanai, the mitzvah of ma'aser teaches us to overcome and
free ourselves from the self-centered sentiments of possessiveness
when we are in complete, de facto control.