[650] מעשר מין המעשר
This first tithe being paid, the Husbandman paid out of that which remained a second tithe; this the Husbandman might pay in kind if he pleased, or if he would, he might by way of commutation pay the worth thereof in money; but when he payed in money, he added a fifth part; so that what in kind was ten in the hundred, that changed into money, was twelve in the hundred. This the Husbandman brought up unto Jerusalem, and made a kind of Love-feast therewith, unto which he invited the Priests and Levites, only every third year he carried it not to Jerusalem, but spent it at home within his own gates, upon the Levites, the fatherless, the widows, & the poor, Deut. 14. 28. They reckoned[651] their third year from the Sabbatical year, on which the land rested: so that the first and second Tithe was payed by the Husbandman; the first, second, fourth and fifth years after the Sabbatical year: but upon the third and sixth years only, the first Tithe was paid to the Levites, and the second was spent at home. Hence in respect of the kinds, this is called Magnasher scheni,[652] the second tithe, Tobit. 1. 7. in respect it was paid to the poor every third year: it is called Magnasher gnani[653], πτωχοδεκάδαι, the poor mans tithe, and Magnasher schelischi[654], the third tithe, Tob. 1. 1. On those years on which it was carried up to Jerusalem, it ought of necessity to be eaten within the Court of the Temple, Deut. 14. 26. and by the third tithe we are to understand the poor mans tithe on the third year, which year is termed a year of tithes, Deut. 26. 12.
[651] Moses Kotsen. tract. de decima secundo. fol. 199.
[652] מעשר שני
[653] מעשר עני
[654] מעשר שלישי
They likewise tithed their cattel. Of their bullocks, & their sheep, and all that passed under the rod, the tenth was holy to the Lord, Lev. 27. 32. Some Expositors understand by this phrase of passing under the rod, that all cattel are titheable which live under the custody of a keeper, as if there were allusion to the shephards staff, or keepers rod, which they use in keeping their cattel. The Hebrews more probably understand hereby, the manner of their decimation or tithing their cattel, which was as followeth.[655] He that hath Lambs (or Bullocks) thus separateth his tenth, he gathereth all his lambs and all his bullocks into a fold to which he maketh a little door, that two cannot go forth together; their dams are placed without the door, to the end, that the lambs hearing them bleating, might go forth one after another in order. Then one beginneth to number with his rod, one, two, three, &c. and the tenth which cometh forth, whether it be male or female, perfect, or blemished, he marketh it with a red mark, saying this is for tithe. At this day the Jews, though they are not in their own Country, neither have any Levitical Priesthood, yet those who will be reputed religious among them, do distribute in lieu of tithes, the tenth of their encrease unto the poor, being perswaded that God doth bless their estates the more: for their usual Proverb is,[656] Thegnasher, bischebil sche thegnasher; that is, Pay tithes, that thou mayst be rich.
[655] Solomon Jarchi, Lev. 27. 32. & Maimon. de primogen. c. 7. Sect. 1. 5.
[656] תעשר בישביל שתעשר
The time of the year from which they reckoned tithes, was different. For beasts[657] they counted the year from Elul to Elul, that is, from August to August, for grain, pulse, and herbs,[658] from Tisri to Tisri, that is, from September to September: for the fruit of trees, from Schebat to Schebat, that is, from January to January.