In the land of Israel there is a seven year agricultural cycle. The seventh year is Shemittah, when we leave the ground fallow. During the first through sixth years we are obligated to separate some produce and give it to the Kohen. This is called Terumah. We then separate a tenth from the remaining grain that is given to the Levi (Levite) which is called Ma’aser (which means a tenth).
There is a second separation of a tenth from the remaining produce during the first, second, fourth, and fifth years called Ma’aser Sheni (the second tenth). It is sanctified to the point that it may only be eaten in the holy city of Jerusalem. There is also an option to replace the Ma’aser Sheni produce with coins which transfers the sanctity on to them and those coins must be spent on food and drink in Jerusalem. During the third and sixth years the second separation of a tenth is given to the poor and is called Ma’aser Oni (the tenth for the poor).
Rabbi Zev Leff of Moshav Matityahu in Israel asks why we practice Ma’aser Sheni before Ma’aser Oni. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to take care of those in need before we enjoy the produce ourselves?
Rambam (Maimonides) writes in the Laws of Gifts to the Poor 10:4:
Anyone who gives tzedakah to a poor person with a scowl and causes his the poor man’s face to fall in shame; even if he gave him a thousand zuz, has destroyed and lost any merit thereby. Rather, one should give cheerfully, with happiness [to do so] and empathy for his plight, as it is said, (Job 30:25) “Did I not weep for the unfortunate? Did I not grieve for the needy?” And one should speak to him words of comfort and consolation, as it is said, (Job 29:13) “[I received the blessing of the lost,] I gladdened the heart of the widow.”
Thus the way to give Tzedakah is to give with a smile, happily, with empathy, and words of comfort. Tzedakah is clearly more than just supplying someone with their material needs. It’s about making the needy person feel whole. But this can be challenging because it’s not easy giving away money especially if you don’t have much of it yourself.
Rabbi Leff writes that the mitzvah of Ma’aser Sheni helps us give Tzedakah in the way it should be given. In this week’s parsha we read,
…וַהֲבֵאתֶם שָׁמָּה עֹלֹתֵיכֶם וְזִבְחֵיכֶם וְאֵת מַעְשְׂרֹתֵיכֶם וְאֵת תְּרוּמַת יֶדְכֶם
And there you are to bring your burnt offerings and other sacrifices, your tithes and contributions… (12:6)
The words, “your tithes,” are explained in Rashi’s commentary to refer to both the tithe of the cattle and the second tithe, which are to be consumed within the environs of Jerusalem.
The mitzvah of Ma’aser Sheni imbues us with two vital lessons. The fact that the Torah mandates that we only eat it in Jerusalem (together with other laws of how we may eat Ma’aser Sheni) teaches us that the bounty of our fields is a gift to us from Hashem and it is He who dictates how we may use it.
וַאֲכַלְתֶּם־שָׁם לִפְנֵי ה’ אֱ-לֹהֵיכֶם וּשְׂמַחְתֶּם בְּכֹל מִשְׁלַח יֶדְכֶם אַתֶּם וּבָתֵּיכֶם אֲשֶׁר בֵּרַכְךָ ה’ אֱ-לֹהֶיךָ׃
Together with your households, you shall feast there before the LORD your God, happy in all the undertakings in which the LORD your God has blessed you. (12:7)
This is why, explains Rabbi Leff, the Torah has us observe Ma’aser Sheni before observing Ma’aser Oni. Ma’aser Sheni will imbue us with the lessons that will give us the inspiration to joyfully help the needy and to do so with empathy so that we can revive their spirits with words of comfort.
Shabbat shalom!
Yitzchak