Tithes and Other Issues

Hi, What is; 1). Restitution 2). Temple tax 3). Tithes 4)). Tithe of Tithes 5). Feast Tithes 6). Offering 7). Feast Offering Please I would like to understand & learn about these, in a hebrew perspective. Thank you.

Shalom!

Thank you for your questions.

You ask about many different things at once, some of which are not entirely clear what you refer to.

However, I feel that what I present below will basically cover most of what you have asked or at least give you some food for thought (no pun intended!).

The issue of tithes can be found in the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, though the first mention of the idea is in Genesis 14:20 where it says that Abraham gave tithe to Malchitzedek.

This primary tithe is known as “Teruma” and it was given to the Kohanim, decedents of Aharon. Separations for this purpose were made from all produce that is grown in the land of Israel.

There was also a tithe given to the Levites who assisted the Kohanim in the running of the Holy Temple. The Levites were also the Temple administrators and teachers.

These separations continue nowadays, but the separated portions are not given to Kohanim or Levites due to issues of ascertaining lineage and ritual purity.

There were other tithes that were only relevant in different years of the Jewish seven-year cycle, such as the “Second Tithe” which was separated and was to be consumed by the owner in Jerusalem. Nowadays this tithe is not eaten, but rather it is “redeemed” on a coin which is eventually discarded. There was also the “poor man's tithe” which was given in certain years. There was also a cattle tithe.

The most common tithe nowadays is the “Ma’aser” which refers to separating 10% of one’s income for the poor or other charitable purposes.