9.22.24 ~ It's about Money

 Good morning!

Let me introduce most everyone's least favorite topic: giving money. In yesterday's Torah portion, Ki Tavo, there is an intriguing law known as 'vidui maaser'; the tithing confession (Deut. 26:12-15).

When in the Promised Land, tithes must be taken from one's crops, according to a set three-year cycle. During each of the three years, a portion of the produce (around 2 percent) is given to the Kohanim/priests, known as terumah. Why? Because they didn't have any income source of their own outside of their dedicated service in the Temple. Another portion of the produce (around 10 percent), aka maaser rishon, was given to the Levites, who also had no income of their own, as they also served in the Temple and served as teachers. There were other tithes that differed from year to year. This is not a 'sherlock holmes' in depth discovery, but should give you some food for thought (Deut. 26:12-15 pun intended):

Year 1—in addition to terumah and maaser rishon, you separate a portion of the crop, known as maaser sheni/2nd tithe. This is taken by the owner to Jerusalem and eaten there. It gave God's people an opportunity to spend time in the Holy City, contribute to its economy, and learn from its master teachers.
Year 2 – same as year one.
Year 3—in addition to terumah and maaser rishon, a portion of the crop was separated and given to the poor, known as maaser ani (this was in addition to many other contributions made to the poor from each farm.)
Year 4 – same as years 1-2.
Year 5 – same as years 1-2, 4.
Year 6 – same as year 3.
Year 7 – This was a sabbatical year/shemitah, in which no plowing or planting was permitted, and no tithes were given. That year the field was open to everybody to enjoy.

Now, on the day before Passover of year four and year seven, every owner must make sure that he has delivered all the tithes of the past three years to their proper destination—to the Priests, the Levites, and the poor. Then, on the last day of Passover of the 4th and 7th years, the farmer recites a special declaration found in this week’s portion. This declaration, in my opinion, will be spoken again when a 3rd Temple is built...did that open a can of worms (??).

Fundamentally, what God wants us to do is verbally compliment ourselves by declaring that we have done everything right according to His commandments on the money matter. Why would we compliment ourselves (something we don't do enough 1 Cor. 15:10)?

Most people are used to making a confession/vidui of our guilt-laden actions or thoughts...treachery, stealing, speaking falsely, etc.  We confess for the sins and errors that we committed in one form or another, we express remorse and we resolve to change in the future. But confessing our obedience...that's a different perspective for sure!

Could you imagine the anticipation of your 'honey bunny' if you started a statement, 'honey, I have a confession to make'? 'I want to confess to you today that I am a wonderful, accomplished, flawless, magnificent, incredible, sensitive, kind, caring, handsome, and passionate husband and father. I have fulfilled all of my duties; I have been loyal to you with every fiber of my being; I have dutifully always fulfilled all my responsibilities; I forgot nothing, I did not transgress; I have been faithful and dutiful, committed and moral. Alas, I am the perfect man. I bet she wouldn't expect that. Or, should she?

Amazingly, this is exactly what we do with the "tithe confession (Deut. 26:13,14).

As we head towards Yom HaKippurim/Day of Atonement(s), would it be nice to make a confession/vidui like that? 'Lord, I have fulfilled all of your commandments.'

We can do it (1 Jn. 5:3)!

Happy 1st day of the week.