Dear Rabbi Simon
I received a notice today from the London Beth Din that mentioned the process for separating terumah and ma’aser. I have the following questions:
- The notice did not mention using an actual coin. Isn’t the coin part of the process?
- Assuming a coin is required for ma’aser sheni, I have seen it said that we should throw the coin away together with the 1+% of the produce, and I have seen it said that we have to deface the coin and then dispose of it so it cannot be re-used if found. Is there not a situation where the coin can be given to tzedakah (as ma’aser ‘ani should be) or spent in Jerusalem as used to be the case for ma’aser sheni?
- Why today do we only dispose of 1%+ rather than 10% + 1% which would be the terumah components?
- Regarding vegetables – do we need to include vegetables, or only fruits?
- So finally, what process should we follow: Separate 1%+, include coin (or not?), recite the text, and dispose of? Can we give the coin (possibly +25% of the coin value) to tzedakah?
I hope I’ve understood and conveyed it correctly.
Tammy
Dear Tammy
Thank you for your sophisticated questions. Please find my response below:
- The coin is indeed part of the process, but you can use the coin held by the LBD for this purpose. This method is to be preferred.
- At the LBD they destroy and replace the coin every few years, as necessary (for complex halakhic reasons). The difficulty with giving it to tzedakah is that the coin may only be utilised by one eligible to do so, such as a kohen of impeccable pedigree. For the most part, we do not presume that any kohen can be 100% certain of his ancestry stretching back to biblical times.
- Because of the possibility (even if unlikely) that maaser has already been separated and allocated, we apply the principleהמוציא מחברו עליו הראיה (the burden of proof rest upon one who claims property which is in the possession of another). Therefor even one who is poor does not have a definitive claim on the tithe, as he cannot prove that it has not already been separated. One can therefore retain it for him- or herself.
- Yes, we include both fruits and vegetables.
- In summary: Here is the advice from the KLBD website:
Separating terumah and ma’aser on fruit and vegetables that come from Israel:
[Separate] just over 1% of the product and say the following formula:
“All the separations and redeeming of terumot u’ma’asrot shall be in accordance with the formula of the Chazon Ish, and ma’aser sheni and rev’ei should be redeemed on the coin that is set aside in the London Beth Din.”
Wrap up and discard the separated portion.
Bless, eat and enjoy.
Please note: Terumah and ma’aser may not be separated on Shabbat or Yom Tov.
I hope the above is helpful.
Best wishes
Rabbi Rashi Simon
PS: IMO it is good to support the Israeli economy.