Bat Kol International, Weekly Torah Nuggets
Parashat Shavuot Day 2 | Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17
“You shall tithe the entire crop of your planting, the produce of the field, year by year” (Dt. 14:22).
In Hebrew this sentence begins with “aser, te-aser”, two words from the same Hebrew root “עשר” (consonants Ayin, Sin/Schin, Resch), meaning “to tithe”. It is an emphatic call to tithe (similar to the construction “Lech lecha” – go forth!).
Since the Torah is written only in consonants, the rabbis have always made word plays by changing the vowels for a better or wider understanding of the text. The Midrash Tanchuma for example suggests to change the second word from “te-aser” to “te-osher”. All the consonants remain the same, only one vowel differs and the letter “S” is read “SCH”.
Now the meaning is: Tithe and you will become rich! The aim is of course not using the Torah in a magical way in order to become a millionaire. Instead, tithing, giving to God, means giving to charity, contributing to help the less fortunate. God is telling his people that tithing does not make them poorer but richer. A concept which is also found elsewhere in the Bible: “Bring the tithe into the storehouse…and test me now with this, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing upon you” (cf. Malachi 3:10).
Reflection:
So let us be encouraged: Sharing from our abundance blesses others as well as ourselves.
Happy Shavuoth!
Barbara Kauffmann, Germany
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“Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies.”
Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions: Nostra Aetate, No. 4