Untithed Produce and the Warning Not to Boil the Kid

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 10:9

What is written above on this matter? "You shall not eat anything that dies of itself; you may give it to the stranger who is within your gates" (Deuteronomy 14). Rabbi Azariah and Rabbi Jonathan ben Haggai and Rabbi Isaac bar Marion, in the name of Rabbi Yose bar Hanina, said: One who eats his produce while it is still tevel [untithed, forbidden until tithes are separated] is like one who eats carcasses and torn animals. And what is the reason? "You shall not eat anything that dies of itself" (ibid.). Rabbi Abba bar Huna in the name of Rav said: One who eats his produce untithed of the poor man's tithe is liable to death. Rabbi Isaac said: In three places it is written, "You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk." One refers to its own subject, one to the matter of Torah, and one to the matter of tithes. For its own subject, what is written? "The first of the first fruits of your land" (Exodus 23:19); and what is written after it? "Behold, I send an angel before you" (ibid. 20). For the matter of Torah, what is written? "The first of the first fruits of your land" (Exodus 34:26); and what is written after it? "And the LORD said to Moses, Write for yourself these words" (ibid. 27). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Moses, while the sandal is still on your foot, press down the thorn [act while you can] — from "You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk" comes "Write for yourself these words." For the matter of tithes: "You shall not eat anything that dies of itself, you may give it to the stranger who is within your gates" (Deuteronomy 14:21), and it is written after it, "You shall surely tithe" (ibid. 22). Rather, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: Do not cause Me to boil the kids while they are still in their mothers' wombs. For if you do not bring out your tithes as is fitting, I send one east wind and it blasts them, as you say, "And blasted before it was grown up" (II Kings 19:26).

Themes