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Deuteronomy 26:12-13

 

דברים כו:יב-יג

Original Text:

כִּי תְכַלֶּה לַעְשֵׂר אֶת כָּל מַעְשַׂר תְּבוּאָתְךָ בַּשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁלִישִׁת שְׁנַת הַמַּעֲשֵׂר וְנָתַתָּה לַלֵּוִי לַגֵּר לַיָּתוֹם וְלָאַלְמָנָה וְאָכְלוּ בִשְׁעָרֶיךָ וְשָׂבֵעוּ: וְאָמַרְתָּ לִפְנֵי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ בִּעַרְתִּי הַקֹּדֶשׁ מִן הַבַּיִת וְגַם נְתַתִּיו לַלֵּוִי וְלַגֵּר לַיָּתוֹם וְלָאַלְמָנָה כְּכָל מִצְוָתְךָ אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתָנִי לֹא עָבַרְתִּי מִמִּצְוֹתֶיךָ וְלֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי:

Translation:

When you have set aside in full the tenth part of your yield -- in the third year, the year of the tithe -- and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, orphan, and the widow, that they may eat their fill in your settlements, you shall declare before Adonai your God: "I have cleared out the consecrated portion from the house; and I have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan and the widow, just as You commanded me; I have neither transgressed nor neglected any of Your commandments:
[JPS translation edited for gender-neutrality]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. What are the two required actions presented here? What is the difference between the two actions?
2. What is the significance of the vow?

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Related Texts:
Jacob Milgrom, “Reflections on the Biblical GER,” Leviticus 17-22 (Anchor Bible, 2000).
Related Sourcesheets:Feeding the Hungry, A Quick Study of Our Obligation to Feed the Poor, AJWS Hunger Shabbat - Friday Evening Text Study

Submitted By

Sarah Margles

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