Page 35 - BV15

35

after thee; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow,"
(Deuteronomy 24:19-21).

From the above we learn that, at the time of fruit-gathering, the owner was to
leave for the needy, fallen fruit, overlooked olives, and small bunches of grapes. In the
harvest field he was not to gather up forgotten bundles nor gleanings (that is, ears of corn
dropped in the hands of the reaper); and he was not even to cut the corners of his fields .

The Mosaic law does not specify how large the corners thus left were to be.
However, as a matter of practice we learn, in later years, from a chapter on "the corner"
in the Mishna, that "they do not leave less than a sixtieth part" of the whole (Gills
Exposition of Old and New Testament, Leviticus 19:9).

Another annual claim upon the Israelite was that of his first fruits. Although the
law, once again, does not define the amount of the offering, it is instructive to notice how
Maimonides asks concerning the quantity to be brought, "What measure do the wise men
set?" which he answers, saying, "A good eye [or a bountiful man] brings one of forty; a
middling one [one that is neither liberal nor niggardly] brings one of fifty [or the fiftieth
part]; and an evil one [a covetous man] one of sixty [or the sixtieth part]; but never less
than that" (Gill on Exodus 22:29). Another authority -- referring to the Mishna and its
chapter on first fruits -- names one-fiftieth of the produce. (See McClintock and Strongs
Cyclopaedia, article "Tithe," vol. 10, p. 434.)

But besides the first fruits to be offered annually, the law enjoined certain charges
to be paid occasionally. Thus:

"Sanctify unto Me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the
children of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is Mine."

Again:

"The firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto Me. Likewise shalt thou do with
thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with its dam; on the eighth
day thou shalt give it Me," Exodus 22:29-30.

The firstborn of man was to be redeemed by a payment of five shekels. This is
still observed, apparently, among modern Jews in Lemberg. Mr. Israel Sunlight, an ex-
rabbi of my acquaintance writes as follows: "At the beginning of the month I was invited
to be present at a unique ceremony, the redeeming of the firstborn," and he continues, in
short, as follows: "The parents present the child to the cohen (or priest), who takes it in
his arms, and then asks them whether they wish him to keep the child, or whether they
would rather redeem it for the sum of five shekels (about twelve shillings). The parents,
of course, take the latter alternative, and pay down the redemption money: whereupon the
priest pronounces his blessing upon the child, and hands it back to its parents (Jewish
Missionary Intelligencer, March, 1903, p. 43). The firstlings of unclean animals were to
be redeemed also. The firstling, however, of a cow, a sheep, or a goat might not be