Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says, “There are three matters that the earthly court did and the heavenly court agreed with them, and these are they: Reading the Scroll [of Esther on Purim]; greeting another with the name of God; and bringing the tithe [to the Temple treasury].” Reading the Scroll, as it is written (Esther 9:27), “The Jews confirmed, and they took upon themselves.” They confirmed above that which they took upon themselves below. Greeting (with the name of God), as it is written (Ruth 2:4), “And presently Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, The Lord is with you.’” And it states (Judges 6:12) “The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor.” What is [the reason for], “And it states?” And if you would say that Boaz acted on his own, but from Heaven, they did not agree with him; come hear [a proof]: “And it states, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor.’” The bringing of the tithe, as (it is written [II Chronicles 31:5], “When the word spread, the Israelites brought large quantities of grain, wine, oil, honey, and all kinds of agricultural produce, and tithes of all, in large amounts.” And) it is written (Malachi 3:10), “Bring you the [whole] tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food, etc. and I will pour you out a blessing, that there shall be more than sufficiency (ad beli dai).” What is “ad beli dai.”? [Rami bar Rav] (Rav Chama in the name of Rav) said, “Until your lips will be worn out (yivlu) from saying, ‘Enough Dai).’”
Tithes and Offerings - When the word spread, the Israelites
Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team
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