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| A '''heave offering''' (]: ''terumah''), is a type of ], specifically a sacrifice which was a ]. The term ''heave offering'' refers to the fact that such offerings were ''heaved'' (lifted) above the altar, as opposed to being waved around it, during their ritual. ''Heave offerings'' were the posession of the priests, and, if edible, could be eaten by their families, as well as the priests themselves if they were ]<ref>ibid</ref>. | A '''heave offering''' (]: ''terumah''), is a type of ] (]), specifically a sacrifice which was a ]. The term ''heave offering'' refers to the fact that such offerings were ''heaved'' (lifted) above the altar, as opposed to being waved around it, during their ritual. ''Heave offerings'' were the posession of the priests, and, if edible, could be eaten by their families, as well as the priests themselves if they were ]<ref>ibid</ref>. | ||
| Originally the term was not directly connected with sarifices, simply referring to taxes and gifts made to superiors (], ''terumah'' simply refers to the ''lifting apart'' of a quantity from a larger quantity), but as most of these taxes and gifts, in Jewish law, ended up at sanctuaries, the term came to have the sacrificial meaning; a transitional phase between these two meanings is observable in the ]<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia''</ref>. | Originally the term was not directly connected with sarifices, simply referring to taxes and gifts made to superiors (], ''terumah'' simply refers to the ''lifting apart'' of a quantity from a larger quantity), but as most of these taxes and gifts, in Jewish law, ended up at sanctuaries, the term came to have the sacrificial meaning; a transitional phase between these two meanings is observable in the ]<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia''</ref>. | ||
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| **Portion of the ] which was allocated to the Priests (''heave-offering of the tithe'' - ''terumat haMaaser'' in Hebrew). | **Portion of the ] which was allocated to the Priests (''heave-offering of the tithe'' - ''terumat haMaaser'' in Hebrew). | ||
| == In the ] and Rabinnic Literature == | |||
| ⚫ | The ''heave offering of the tithe'', though mentioned by the ] is not mentioned in the ]; ] believe that this is because the deuteronomist regarded all ] as being able to become priests, and not just ]s, hence this ''tithe'' of a tithe would be meaningless<ref> |
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| ⚫ | The ], ], and ], include a tract entitled '']'', which deals with the laws regulating ''heave offerings''. According to these, the tithed material could only be separated from the non-tithed material by its owner, or someone appointed on their behalf; minors, deafmutes, the mentally ill, and non-Jews were not permitted to perform such separation<ref>]]<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia''</ref>. </ref> | ||
| The Talmud opens with a discussion of when the ] ("Hear O Israel") prayer should be recited. The ] states that it should be recited when ] (Jewish priests) who were ] (ritually impure) are able to enter the Temple to eat their Terumah (heave-offerings) )''] 2a). This passage is one many which intimately connect the daily rituals of ] with details of the rhythm of the life of the ]. | |||
| == Biblical Criticism Perspectives == | |||
| ⚫ | The ''heave offering of the tithe'', though mentioned by the ] is not mentioned in the ]; ] believe that this is because the deuteronomist regarded all ] as being able to become priests, and not just ]s, hence this ''tithe'' of a tithe would be meaningless<ref>]]<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia''</ref>. </ref>. | ||
| ⚫ | The ], ], and ], include a tract entitled '']'', which deals with the laws regulating ''heave offerings''. According to these, the tithed material could only be separated from the non-tithed material by its owner, or someone appointed on their behalf; minors, deafmutes, the mentally ill, and non-Jews were not permitted to perform such separation<ref> |
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| ==Notes and Citations== | ==Notes and Citations== | ||
Revision as of 22:51, 14 November 2006
A heave offering (Hebrew: terumah), is a type of Korban (Biblical sacrifice), specifically a sacrifice which was a tithe. The term heave offering refers to the fact that such offerings were heaved (lifted) above the altar, as opposed to being waved around it, during their ritual. Heave offerings were the posession of the priests, and, if edible, could be eaten by their families, as well as the priests themselves if they were ritually pure.
Originally the term was not directly connected with sarifices, simply referring to taxes and gifts made to superiors (etymologically, terumah simply refers to the lifting apart of a quantity from a larger quantity), but as most of these taxes and gifts, in Jewish law, ended up at sanctuaries, the term came to have the sacrificial meaning; a transitional phase between these two meanings is observable in the Book of Ezekiel.
There were two groups of heave offerings:
- Sacrifice/redemption of the firstborn:
- Redemption of firstborn male children (Pidyon haBen)
- Tithe of First fruits (heave-offering of the Priests - terumat haKohanim in Hebrew).
- General tithes:
- Tithe of dough (Challah)
- Portion of gift offerings, of slaughter offerings, which were allocated to the Priests.
- Portion of the Levite tithe which was allocated to the Priests (heave-offering of the tithe - terumat haMaaser in Hebrew).
In the Talmud and Rabinnic Literature
The Mishnah, Tosefta, and Gemara, include a tract entitled Terumot, which deals with the laws regulating heave offerings. According to these, the tithed material could only be separated from the non-tithed material by its owner, or someone appointed on their behalf; minors, deafmutes, the mentally ill, and non-Jews were not permitted to perform such separationCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).. </ref>
The Talmud opens with a discussion of when the Shema Yisrael ("Hear O Israel") prayer should be recited. The Mishnah states that it should be recited when Kohanim (Jewish priests) who were Tamei (ritually impure) are able to enter the Temple to eat their Terumah (heave-offerings) )Brachot 2a). This passage is one many which intimately connect the daily rituals of Orthodox Judaism with details of the rhythm of the life of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Biblical Criticism Perspectives
The heave offering of the tithe, though mentioned by the Priestly code is not mentioned in the Deuteronomic code; biblical criticism scholars believe that this is because the deuteronomist regarded all Levites as being able to become priests, and not just Aaronids, hence this tithe of a tithe would be meaninglessCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).. </ref>.
Notes and Citations
- ibid
- Jewish Encyclopedia