(Exodus 22:28) "Your fullness and your dema (terumah) you shall not delay": "Your fullness"—bikkurim (first-fruits, which are taken from fully ripened grain). "you shall not delay": You shall not give second-tithe before first-tithe, first-tithe before terumah, or terumah before bikkurim. But I do not know which takes precedence—terumah to bikkurim or bikkurim to terumah? Would you say that? Bikkurim takes precedence because they are called by four names—"first," "bikkurim," "terumah," and "dema." (They take precedence) to terumah, which is called by only three names—"first," "terumah," and "ma'aser," which, in turn, takes precedence to ma'aser, which is called by only two names. And first-tithe, which is called by two names—"first" and "ma'aser"—takes precedence to second-tithe, which is called by only one name ("ma'aser"). From here they ruled: If one gives terumah before bikkurim or first-tithe before terumah or second-tithe before first-tithe—even though he transgresses the negative commandment "Your fullness and your dema you shall not delay," what is done is done (i.e., he has fulfilled his obligation.)
(Exodus 22 — 28) "Your fullness and your dema (terumah) you
Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team
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