Language Studies

Aramaic Thoughts

Aramaic Literature - Part 4 - The Mishnah

The eighth treatise in the first order of the Mishnah is called Ma’asher Sheni (the second tithe). This deals with the tithe mentioned in Deut 14:22-26. This is in comparison to the first tithe, which went to the Levites. This second tithe was the tithe that was to be eaten “in the place that he [the Lord your God] will choose. At the time of Deuteronomy, that was the tabernacle. Later on, in the time of Eli, it was Shiloh. Eventually, it was Jerusalem. In the seven-year cycle of the Sabbath-years of the Old Testament, the Israelite consumed his tithe in the first, second, fourth, and fifth years. In the third and sixth years, this second tithe was gathered in the cities of Israel for the provision for the Levites, the sojourners, the fatherless, and the widows.

The ninth treatise of the order of seeds (Zera’im) is called Hallah. This literally means “round loaf of dough.” This was presented to the priests as part of the regular offerings. According to the Mishnah, two things were necessary for this dough to be required. It had to taste of wheat; and it had to be baked. If it did not taste of wheat, it was not owed. Nor, if it was boiled or sun-dried was it owed. In addition, the Mishnah specifies the quantity of dough due in the offering. As the law is stated in Num 15:18-21, no particular amount is specified.

The tenth treatise of this first order is called Orlah. Technically, this means “uncircumcised,” but in this context it refers to trees. In Lev 19:23-25, the law specifies that the fruit of a tree may not be used for the first three years. In the fourth year, the fruit is holy to the Lord. Afterwards, the owner has the use of the fruit. Any tree already planted when Israel moved into the land was deemed to be free from this requirement. Any food tree planted for a purpose other than food (such as a windbreak, or a fence) was not deemed subject to the law. But if the owner changed its purpose, then it became subject to the law. Suppose a man planted an apple tree in order to use it as part of a fence. Suppose then that five years later, most of the fence of trees burns down, and he is left with one apple tree, which he then decides to use for food. He must then wait another four years before he can begin making use of the fruit of the tree.

The final treatise of the first order is Bikkurim, or first-fruits. This treats of the issues relative to the first-fruits offerings specified in Ex 23:19 and Deut 26:1. If the owner set aside the offering, and it was somehow spoiled or destroyed before he presented it, he was responsible to replace the offering. Furthermore, only the seven kinds of things specified in Deut 8:8 were subject to the first-fruits requirement: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and honey. Other crops were deemed not subject to the requirement.

Copyright Statement
'Aramaic Thoughts' Copyright 2024© Benjamin Shaw. 'Aramaic Thoughts' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with a link to https://www.studylight.org/language-studies/aramaic-thoughts.html  2) 'Aramaic Thoughts' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.