ב"ה
Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day
Bikkurim - Chapter 1
Bikkurim - Chapter 1
The Laws of the First Fruit and The Other Presents Given To Priests In The Outlying Areasהִלְכוֹת בִּכּוּרִים עִם שְׁאָר מַתְּנוֹת כְּהֻנָּה שֶׁבִּגְּבוּלִין
They contain nine Mitzvot: eight positive commandments and one negative commandment. They are:יֵשׁ בִּכְלָלָן תֵּשַׁע מִצְווֹת - שְׁמוֹנֶה מִצְווֹת עֲשֵׂה, וְאַחַת מִצְוַת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה, וְזֶה הוּא פְּרָטָן:
1) To set aside the first fruit and bring them to Jerusalem, 2) For a priest not to eat the first fruit outside of Jerusalem, 3) To read the declaration when bringing them, 4) To separate Challah and give it to a priest, 5) To give a priest the foreleg, the jaw, and the maw of an animal slaughtered, 6) To give him the first shearings of one’s flocks, 7) To redeem one’s firstborn son and give that money to a priest, 8) To redeem one’s firstling donkey and give a lamb or kid to a priest, 9) To behead a firstling donkey if one does not desire to redeem it.(א) לְהַפְרִישׁ בִּכּוּרִים וּלְהַעֲלוֹתָן לַמִּקְדָּשׁ; (ב) שֶׁלֹּא יֹאכַל הַכֹּהֵן בִּכּוּרִים חוּץ לִירוּשָׁלַיִם;
(ג) לִקְרוֹת עֲלֵיהֶן; (ד) לְהַפְרִישׁ חַלָּה לַכֹּהֵן; (ה) לָתֵת זְרוֹעַ וּלְחָיַיִם וְקֵבָה לַכֹּהֵן; (ו) לִתֵּן לוֹ רֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז; (ז) לִפְדּוֹת בְּכוֹר הַבֵּן וְלִתֵּן פִּדְיוֹנוֹ לַכֹּהֵן;
(ח) לִפְדּוֹת פֶּטֶר חֲמוֹר וְלִתֵּן פִּדְיוֹנוֹ לַכֹּהֵן; (ט) לַעֲרֹף פֶּטֶר חֲמוֹר, אִם לֹא רָצָה לִפְדּוֹתוֹ.
(ג) לִקְרוֹת עֲלֵיהֶן; (ד) לְהַפְרִישׁ חַלָּה לַכֹּהֵן; (ה) לָתֵת זְרוֹעַ וּלְחָיַיִם וְקֵבָה לַכֹּהֵן; (ו) לִתֵּן לוֹ רֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז; (ז) לִפְדּוֹת בְּכוֹר הַבֵּן וְלִתֵּן פִּדְיוֹנוֹ לַכֹּהֵן;
(ח) לִפְדּוֹת פֶּטֶר חֲמוֹר וְלִתֵּן פִּדְיוֹנוֹ לַכֹּהֵן; (ט) לַעֲרֹף פֶּטֶר חֲמוֹר, אִם לֹא רָצָה לִפְדּוֹתוֹ.
These mitzvot are explained in the ensuing chapters.וּבֵאוּר מִצְווֹת אֵלּוּ בִּפְרָקִים אֵלּוּ.
1There are 24 presents that are given to the priests1. All of them are explicitly mentioned in the Torah. A covenant was established with Aaron over all of them2.אאַרְבַּע וְעֶשְׂרִים מַתָּנוֹת כְּהֻנָּה נִתְּנוּ לַכֹּהֲנִים, וְכֻלָּן מְפֹרָשִׁין בַּתּוֹרָה, וְעַל כֻּלָּן נִכְרְתָה בְּרִית לְאַהֲרֹן.
Any priest who does not acknowledge them3 does not have a portion in the priesthood and he is not given any of these presents.וְכָל כֹּהֵן שֶׁאֵינוֹ מוֹדֶה בָּהֶן - אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק בַּכְּהֻנָּה, וְאֵין נוֹתְנִין לוֹ מַתָּנָה מֵהֶן.
2Every priest who partakes of one of the presents given to the priests that is sanctified4 should recite a blessing: ‘Blessed are You… who sanctified us with the sanctity of Aaron and commanded us to partake of...’ mentioning the particular type of present he is eating.5 בוְכָל הָאוֹכֵל מַתָּנָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ קְדֻשָּׁה, מְבָרֵךְ 'אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בִּקְדֻשָּׁתוֹ שֶׁל אַהֲרֹן וְצִוָּנוּ לֶאֱכֹל...' כָּךְ וְכָּךְ.
3Eight of the presents may be eaten by the priests only in the Sanctuary, within the walls of the Temple Courtyard6. Five of them may be eaten only in Jerusalem within the walls of the city7. According to Scriptural Law, there are five presents that are acquired by the priests only in Eretz Yisrael.8 There are five presents that they acquire both in Eretz Yisrael and in the Diaspora9. And there is one present that that they acquire from the Temple’s property10. גשְׁמוֹנֶה מַתָּנוֹת מֵהֶם - אֵין אוֹכְלִין אוֹתָן הַכֹּהֲנִים אֶלָא בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ לִפְנִים מֵחוֹמַת הָעֲזָרָה; וְחָמֵשׁ מַתָּנוֹת - אֵין אוֹכְלִין אוֹתָן אֶלָא בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם לִפְנִים מֵחוֹמַת הָעִיר; וְחָמֵשׁ מַתָּנוֹת - אֵין זוֹכִין בָּהֶן מִן הַתּוֹרָה אֶלָא בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּלְבָד; וְחָמֵשׁ מַתָּנוֹת - זוֹכִין בָּהֶן בֵּין בָּאָרֶץ בֵּין בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ; וּמַתָּנָה אַחַת - זוֹכִין בָּהּ מִן הַמִּקְדָּשׁ.
4What are the eight that may be eaten only in Temple? The meat of the sin offering - this includes both sin-offerings of fowl and sin-offerings of animals, the meat of a guilt-offering, whether a definite guilt-offering or a guilt-offering11 brought because of doubt12, communal peace offerings13, the portion of the omer offering that remains,14 the portion of an Israelite’s meal offering that remains,15 the two loaves offered on Shavuot,16 the show bread17, and the log of oil brought by a metzora.18 All of these may be eaten only in the Temple.דמָה הֵן הַשְּׁמוֹנֶה שֶׁאֵין נֶאֱכָלִין אֶלָא בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ? בְּשַׂר הַחַטָּאת, אֶחָד חַטַּאת הָעוֹף וְאֶחָד חַטַּאת הַבְּהֵמָה; וּבְשַׂר הָאָשָׁם, בֵּין תָּלוּי בֵּין וַדַּאי; וְזִבְחֵי שַׁלְמֵי צִבּוּר; וּמוֹתַר הָעֹמֶר; וּשְׁיָרֵי מִנְחוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל; וּשְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם; וְלֶחֶם הַפָּנִים; וְלוֹג שֶׁמֶן שֶׁל מְּצֹרָע. אֵלּוּ אֵין נֶאֱכָלִין אֶלָא בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ.
5What are the five that are eaten only in Jerusalem? The breast and the leg of the peace offering, the portion granted the priests from the thanksgiving offering19, the portion granted the priests from the ram brought by a nazirite20, the firstborn of a kosher animal21, and the first fruits.22 All of these may be eaten only in Jerusalem.הוּמָה הֵן הֶחָמֵשׁ שֶׁאֵין נֶאֱכָלִין אֶלָא בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם? חָזֶה וְשׁוֹק שֶׁל שְׁלָמִים, וְהַמּוּרָם מִן הַתּוֹדָה, וְהַמּוּרָם מֵאֵיל נָזִיר, וּבְכוֹר בְּהֵמָה טְהוֹרָה, וְהַבִּכּוּרִים. אֵלּוּ אֵין נֶאֱכָלִין אֶלָא בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם.
6What are the five that are given in Eretz Yisrael? Terumah, terumat ma’aser, and challah - these three are sanctified23, the first shearings,a and an ancestral field that was consecrated24 - these are ordinary property. The priests are granted these according to Scriptural Law only in Eretz Yisrael25. Terumot and challot from Eretz Yisrael may be eaten only in Eretz Yisrael26. ווּמָה הֵן הֶחָמֵשׁ שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל? הַתְּרוּמָה וּתְרוּמַת מַעֲשֵׂר וְהַחַלָּה, וּשְׁלָשְׁתָּן קֹדֶשׁ. וְרֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז וּשְׂדֶה אֲחֻזָּה, וּשְׁנֵיהֶן חֻלִּין. אֵלּוּ אֵין זוֹכִין בָּהֶן מִן הַתּוֹרָה אֶלָא בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְאֵין אוֹכְלִין תְּרוּמוֹת וְחַלּוֹת שֶׁל אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶלָא בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל.
7What are the five that the priests acquire in all places? The presents given when slaughtering animals,27 the money given for the redemption of a firstborn son28, the lamb given for the redemption of a firstborn donkey29, property stolen from a convert who died heirless29, and dedication offerings.30 These five are ordinary property.זוּמָה הֵן הֶחָמֵשׁ שֶׁזּוֹכִין בָּהֶן הַכֹּהֲנִים בְּכָל מָקוֹם? הַמַּתָּנוֹת, וּפִדְיוֹן הַבֵּן, וּפֶטֶר חֲמוֹר, וְגֶזֶל הַגֵּר, וְהַחֲרָמִים. וַחֲמִשְׁתָּן חֻלִּין לְכָל דָּבָר.
8The present that they acquire from the Temple’s property31 is the hides from the burnt-offeringsa. This also applies to the hides from other sacrifices of the most holy order. They are all given to the priests.חוְהַמַּתָּנָה שֶׁזּוֹכִין בָּהּ מִן הַמִּקְדָּשׁ הוּא עוֹרוֹת הָעוֹלוֹת. וְהוּא הַדִּין לִשְׁאָר עוֹרוֹת קָדְשֵׁי הַקֳדָשִׁים - כֻּלָּן לַכֹּהֲנִים.
9The eight presents that may be eaten only in the Sanctuary are all sacrifices of the most holy order. They may be eaten only by male priests, as will be explained in the appropriate placea. Concerning them, Leviticus 6:22 states: ‘All males among the priesthood shall partake of it.טהַשְּׁמוֹנֶה מַתָּנוֹת שֶׁאֵין נֶאֱכָלִין אֶלָא בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ - כֻּלָּן קָדְשֵׁי קֳדָשִׁים הֵן, וְאֵין נֶאֱכָלִין אֶלָא לְזִכְרֵי כְּהֻנָּה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר בִּמְקוֹמוֹ. וּבָהֶן נֶאֱמַר "כָּל זָכָר יֹאכַל אֹתוֹ" (במדבר יח, י).
10The five presents that may be eaten only in Jerusalem are all sacrifices of lesser sanctity32. Both males and females of the priestly family may partake of them. Concerning them, Numbers 18:11 states: ‘To you, and your sons and your daughters with you have I given them as an eternal decree.’ Although woman may partake of them33, they are granted only to the males of the priestly family. For they are given to the men of the watch serving in the Temple.34יהֶחָמֵשׁ שֶׁבִּירוּשָׁלַיִם - הֵן קֳדָשִׁים קַלִּים, וְנֶאֱכָלִין לִזְּכָרִים וְלִנְּקֵבוֹת. וּבָהֶן נֶאֱמַר "לְךָ נְתַתִּים וּלְבָנֶיךָ וְלִבְנֹתֶיךָ אִתְּךָ לְחָק עוֹלָם" (במדבר יח, יא). וְאַף עַל פִּי כֵן אֵין נִתָּנִין אֶלָא לְזִכְרֵי כְּהֻנָּה, שֶׁהֲרֵי לְאַנְשֵׁי מִשְׁמָר הֵן.
The fat and the blood of the firstborn of kosher animals was offered and only a male was allowed to offer it.35וְהַבְּכוֹר מַקְרִיבִין חֶלְבּוֹ וְדָמוֹ, וְאֵין מַקְרִיב אֶלָא אִישׁ.
Similarly, the hides of the sacrifices of the most sacred order, an ancestral field, dedication offerings, and the stolen property of a convert are acquired only by the men of the priestly watch of that week, as will be explained.וְכֵן עוֹרוֹת קָדְשֵׁי קֳדָשִׁים, וּשְׂדֵה אֲחֻזָּה, וְהַחֲרָמִים, וְגֶזֶל הַגֵּר - אֵין זוֹכִין בָּהֶן אֶלָא אַנְשֵׁי מִשְׁמָר, כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר.
Similarly, the redemption of firstborn sons is given only to males of the priestly family, for concerning it, Numbers 3:48 states: ‘And you shall give the money to Aaron and his sons.’ וְכֵן פִּדְיוֹן הַבֵּן לְזִכְרֵי כְּהֻנָּה, שֶׁכֵּן נֶאֱמַר בּוֹ "וְנָתַתָּה הַכֶּסֶף לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו" (במדבר ג, מח).
Similarly, the redemption of a firstborn donkey is given to males of the priestly family, for all the laws of the firstborn are parallel. The redemption is given to males and not females.וּפֶטֶר חֲמוֹר - לְזִכְרֵי כְּהֻנָּה; שֶׁדִּין הַבְּכוֹרוֹת כֻּלָּן שָׁוֶה, לִזְּכָרִים וְלֹא לִנְּקֵבוֹת.
11Thus you have learned that the presents given directly to females like males are five: terumah36, terumat ma’aser, challah37, the presents given when slaughtering an animal, and the first shearings. יאהִנֵּה לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁהַמַּתָּנוֹת שֶׁנִּתָּנִין לִנְּקֵבוֹת כִּזְּכָרִים, חָמֵשׁ מַתָּנוֹת: תְּרוּמָה, וּתְרוּמַת מַעֲשֵׂר, וְחַלָּה, וּמַתְּנוֹת בְּהֵמָה, וְרֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז.
What is the source that teaches that the first shearings may be given to a woman of the priestly family? ‘The first of your grain, your wine, and your oil, and the first shearings of your flock shall you give to him’ Deuteronomy 18:4. The verse establishes an equivalence: Just as terumah, the first of the grain, may be given to females as well as males, so too, the first shearings.וּמִנַיִן אֲנִי אוֹמֵר שֶׁרֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז נִתֶּנֶת לַכּוֹהֶנֶת? שֶׁהֲרֵי נֶאֱמַר "רֵאשִׁית דְּגָנְךָ תִּירֹשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ וְרֵאשִׁית גֵּז צֹאנְךָ תִּתֶּן לוֹ" (דברים יח, ד) - מָה רֵאשִׁית דָּגָן נִתֶּנֶת לִנְּקֵבוֹת כִּזְּכָרִים, אַף רֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז.
12Our Sages38 reckoned these presents in another manner, stating: 24 presents for the priests were given to Aaron. They are 10 in the Temple, 4 in Jerusalem, and 10 in the outlying areas.יבמָנוּ חֲכָמִים מַתָּנוֹת אֵלּוּ עַל דֶּרֶךְ אַחֶרֶת, וְאָמְרוּ: עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע מַתְּנוֹת כְּהֻנָּה נִתְּנוּ לְאַהֲרֹן, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: עֶשֶׂר בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, אַרְבַּע בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, וְעֶשֶׂר בַּגְּבוּלִין.
13The ten in the Temple are: 1) an animal brought as a sin-offering, 2) a fowl brought as a sin-offering, 3) a guilt-offering, 4) a guilt-offering brought because of doubt, 5) the communal peace-offerings, 6) the log of oil brought by a nazirite, 7) the two breads, 8) the show bread, 9) the remnants of the meal offering, and
10) the remnants of the omer offering.יגעֶשֶׂר בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ: חַטַּאת בְּהֵמָה, וְחַטַּאת הָעוֹף, אָשָׁם, וְאָשָׁם תָּלוּי, זִבְחֵי שַׁלְמֵי צִבּוּר, וְלוֹג שֶׁמֶן שֶׁל מְּצֹרָע, שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם, וְלֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, שְׁיָרֵי מְנָחוֹת, וּמוֹתַר הָעֹמֶר.
10) the remnants of the omer offering.יגעֶשֶׂר בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ: חַטַּאת בְּהֵמָה, וְחַטַּאת הָעוֹף, אָשָׁם, וְאָשָׁם תָּלוּי, זִבְחֵי שַׁלְמֵי צִבּוּר, וְלוֹג שֶׁמֶן שֶׁל מְּצֹרָע, שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם, וְלֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, שְׁיָרֵי מְנָחוֹת, וּמוֹתַר הָעֹמֶר.
14The four in Jerusalem are: 1) the firstborn kosher animal, 2) the first fruits, 3) the portion granted the priests from the thanksgiving offering and the portion granted the priests from the ram brought by a nazirite, and 4) the hides of the sacrifices.39 ידאַרְבַּע בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם: הַבְּכוֹר, וְהַבִּכּוּרִים, וּמוּרָם מִתּוֹדָה וְאֵיל נָזִיר, וְעוֹרוֹת הַקֳּדָשִׁים.
15The ten in the outlying areas are: 1) terumah, 2) terumat ma’aser, 3) challah, 4) the first shearings, 5) the presents given when slaughtering an animal, 6) the redemption of a firstborn son, 7) the redemption of a firstborn donkey, 8) a field that was designated as a dedication offering, 9) an ancestral field, and 10) the stolen property of a convert. According to this reckoning, all of the portions given the priests from sacrifices of lesser sanctity are considered as one present. This includes: the breast and the leg that is given the priest from every peace offering, together with the bread that is given with them if the peace offering was a thanksgiving offering40, and the foreleg given the priest from the nazirite’s ram, with the bread given with it, and the breast and the leg.41 Since they are all peace offerings, all of the portions given the priests are considered as one present.טועֶשֶׂר בִּגְּבוּלִין: תְּרוּמָה, וּתְרוּמַת מַעֲשֵׂר, וְחַלָּה, וְרֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז, וְהַמַּתָּנוֹת, וּפִדְיוֹן הַבֵּן, וּפִדְיוֹן פֶּטֶר חֲמוֹר, שְׂדֵה חֲרָמִים, וּשְׂדֵה אֲחֻזָּה, וְגֶזֶל הַגֵּר. וּלְפִי חֶשְׁבּוֹן זֶה, חָשַׁב כָּל הַמּוּרָם מִקֳּדָשִׁים קַלִּים מַתָּנָה אַחַת. וְהֵן חָזֶה וְשׁוֹק הַמּוּרָם מִכָּל זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים, עִם הַלֶּחֶם הַמּוּרָם עִמָּהֶם אִם הָיָה תּוֹדָה, עִם הַזְּרוֹעַ הַמּוּרֶמֶת מֵאֵיל נָזִיר, עִם הַלֶּחֶם הַמּוּרָם עִמָּהּ, עִם חָזֶה וְשׁוֹק. הוֹאִיל וּשְׁלָשְׁתָּן שְׁלָמִים הֵן, חָשֻׁב הַמּוּרָם מֵהֶם מַתָּנָה אַחַת.
16AIl of the presents that are dependent on the sacrifices will be explained in their appropriate places in the laws of sacrifices42. Similarly, the laws pertaining to the stolen property of a convert will be explained in Hilchot Gezeilah43. We have already explained the laws governing an ancestral field and dedication offerings in Hilchot Arachin44 and the laws of terumah and terumat ma’aser in Hilchot Terumah. In the present halachot, I will explain the laws of the priestly presents that are not dependent on the sacrifices: the first fruits,45 challah,46 the presents given when slaughtering an animal47, the first shearings48, the redemption of a firstborn son49, the redemption of a firstborn donkey.50 טזכָּל הַמַּתָּנוֹת שֶׁהֵן תְּלוּיוֹת בַּקָּרְבָּנוֹת, תִּתְבָּאֵר כָּל אַחַת וְאַחַת מֵהֶן בִּמְקוֹמָהּ מֵהִלְכוֹת הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת. וְכֵן גֶּזֶל הַגֵּר יִתְבָּאֵר בְּהִלְכוֹת גְּזֵלָה. וּכְבָר בֵּאַרְנוּ דִּין שְׂדֵה אֲחֻזָּה וְדִין הַחֲרָמִים בְּהִלְכוֹת עֲרָכִים, וְדִין תְּרוּמָה וּתְרוּמַת מַעֲשֵׂר בְּהִלְכוֹת תְּרוּמוֹת. וּבַהֲלָכוֹת אֵלּוּ אֲבָאֵר מִשְׁפְּטֵי הַמַּתָּנוֹת שֶׁאֵינָן תְּלוּיִין בַּקָּרְבָּנוֹת. וְהֵן: הַבִּכּוּרִים, וְהַחַלָּה, וְהַמַּתָּנוֹת, וְרֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז, וּפִדְיוֹן הַבֵּן, וּפֶטֶר חֲמוֹר.
Footnotes
1.
The Rambam specifies and categorizes them in this chapter.
2.
Numbers 18: 19 speaks of “an eternal covenant of salt.” It is called a covenant of salt, because just as salt never spoils, so too, this covenant will endure forever (Rashi).
3.
The Kessef Mishneh notes that Menachot 18b, the Rambam’s apparent source, states: “Any priest who does not acknowledge the priestly service does not receive a portion of the priesthood.” The Kessef Mishneh questions why the Rambam changes the wording of his source.
4.
E.g., like terumah or the first fruits which are referred to as “holy.”
5.
These presents also include elements of the sacrificial offerings. The Rambam speaks about the mitzvah to partake of these sacred foods in Hilchot Ma ‘aseh HaKorbanot 10: 1-2. And see a15 :22 which describes partaking of terumah.
6.
See Halachah 4. The division of the presents into these categories is not found in a prior Rabbinic source, but instead, was made by the Rambam himself (Kessef Mishneh).
7.
See Halachah 5.
8.
See Halachah 6.
9.
See Halachah 7.
10.
See Halachah 8.
11.
See Hilchot Ma ‘aseh HaKorbanot 9:1, 10:3.
12.
In Halachah 13, however, the Rambam considers these two as separate presents. As the Radbaz clarifies, there is a difference in the procedure involved in these two offerings. See Hilchot Ma ‘aseh HaKorbonot 1: 1; I 0:3.
13.
See Hilchot Ma ‘aseh HaKorbanotI :4, 9:4.
14.
I.e., the portion that remains after a handful is taken to be offered on the altar. See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim 7: 12.
15.
I.e., the portion that remains after a handful is taken to be offered on the altar. An Israelite's offering is mentioned in contrast to that of a priest which is offered on the altar entirely. See Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 10:2-3, 12:9.
16.
See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim 8: 11.
17.
See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim4:9.
18.
See Hilchot Mechusrei Kapparah 4:3.
19.
See ibid. 9: 12.
20.
See Hilchot Bechorot 1 :2.
21.
See Chapter 3, Halachah 3.
22.
And must be eaten in a state of ritual purity.
23.
See Chapter 10, Halachah 1.
24.
According to Rabbinic Law, teru.mah and challah are also separated in the Diaspora.
25.
On the contrary, if they are taken to the Diaspora, they become impure (see Hilchot Terumah 2:17).
26.
The foreleg, the jaw, and the maw; see Chapter 9, Halachah 1.
27.
The foreleg, the jaw, and the maw; see Chapter 9, Halachah 1.
28.
See Chapter 11.
29.
See Hilchot Gezeilah 8:5.
30.
See Hilchot Arachin VaCharamim 6:4.
31.
The Rambam puts this present in a category of its own, because unlike all of the above which were given by individuals, this present comes from the Temple's property (Radbaz). Once the hides are given to the priests, they are considered as ordinary property and may be used for mundane purposes.
32.
See Hilchot Ma ‘aseh HaKorbanot 1: 17 with regard to the sacrifices of lesser sanctity. Chapter 3, Halachah 1, equates the first fruits with those sacrifices.
33.
See Hilchot Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 10:17.
34.
As explained in Hilchot K'lei HaMikdash 4:3, the priestly family was divided into 24 watches. Each one would serve in the Temple for a week. During that week, its members had the rights to all the sacrifices offered during that time.
35.
This sacrifice is not given to the priests of the weekly watch, but instead to the priest of the owner's choice [Hilchot Bechorot 1:15; the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Challah 4:9)]. That priest in turn offers it on the altar and may give its meat to whichever members of the priestly family, males and females, he desires to (see Radbaz).
36.
See Hilchot Terumah 12:22.
37.
For the laws applying to terumah apply to both of these.
38.
Tosefta, Challah 2:7.
39.
Obviously these hides are not eaten in Jerusalem, but instead, can be sold and the proceeds used for any purpose, the Rambam places them in this category, because the priests would not take them out of the holy city. Instead, as a token of respect for their holiness, they would sell them there and use the proceeds to partake of food that was eaten in that holy place (Radbaz, gloss to Halachah 5).
40.
A thanksgiving offering is one type of peace offering.
41.
I.e., from the nazirite's ram, the priest is given a foreleg, a hindleg, and the breast. And he is also given a portion of bread that is offered with that sacrifice.
42.
See the sources given above.
43.
See Hilchot Gezeilah 8:5.
44.
See Hilchot Gezeilah 8:5.
45.
See chs. 2-4.
46.
See chs. 5-8.
47.
See chs. 5-8.
48.
See ch. I 0.
49.
See ch. 1 I.
50.
See ch. 12.
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