Chullin

In all other cases, then, do we not suspect [an exchange]? Have we not learnt: If a man gives to his landlady [dough to be baked], he must tithe what he gives to her and what he takes from her, because she is suspected of changing it?1 — In this case, too, she justifies herself by saying. Let the young student rather eat the fresh and I will eat the stale. 2 But [otherwise], do we not suspect an exchange? Surely it has been taught: The wife of a haber3 may assist the wife of an ‘am ha-arez3 in grinding corn only when she4 is in a state of uncleanness,5 but not when she is in a clean state.6 R. Simeon b. Eleazar says. Even when she is in a state of uncleanness she may not assist in grinding, because the other would offer her some corn to eat. Now, if it is said that the wife of an ‘am ha-ares is ready to steal [from her husband],7 surely she is to be suspected of making an exchange! — In this case, too, she justifies herself by saying. The ox has a right to eat of what he threshes. R. Joshua b. Zeruz, the son of R. Meir's father-in-law, testified before Rabbi that R. Meir ate a leaf of a vegetable in Bethshean8 [without tithing it]; on this testimony, therefore, Rabbi permitted the entire territory of Bethshean.9 Thereupon his brothers and other members of his father's family combined to protest, saying: The place which was regarded as subject to tithes by your parents and ancestors will you regard as free? Rabbi, thereupon, expounded to them the following verse: And he [Hezekiah] broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made; for unto those days the children of Israel did offer to it; and it was called Nehushtan.10 Now, is it at all likely that Asa did not destroy it? Or that Jehoshaphat did not destroy it? Surely Asa and Jehoshaphat destroyed every form of idolatry in the world! will certainly not eat of it. free from tithes; for the rule relating to tithing fruits and vegetables, being a Rabbinic injunction only, applied to Palestine proper.