The familiar construction of an infinitive absolute, , followed by a prefix form (in this case, 2ms) of the same verb, , used to convey the meaning of "surely" or "certainly", introduces this command which is itself the first of a short series of commands concerning one of the tithes of produced that the Israelites were to make from their crops. The repeated words at the end of the verse are another syntactical device, variously translated "year by year", "each year" or "every year", to show that the command is to be carried out regularly as each year and harvest season passes.

Rashi: Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040-1105CE), French rabbi who wrote commentaries on the Torah, the Prophets and the Talmud, lived in Troyes where he founded a yeshiva in 1067; focuses on the plain meaning (p'shat) of the text, although sometimes quite cryptic in his brevity

Although the following text tells us exactly what we are to do with the tithe, we have to wait until the last phrase of the aliyah to find out why this tithe and its following actions are to be taken: "so that Adonai your G-d will bless you in everything your hands produce" (v. 29, CJB). The

Sforno: Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno (1470-1550CE), Italian rabbi, philosopher and physician; born in Cesena, he went to Rome to study medicine; left in 1525 and after some years of travel, settled in Bolgna where he founded a yeshiva which he conducted until his death

Abravanel: Don Isaac Abravanel (1437-1508CE), Statesman and biblical commentator; born in Lisbon, died in Venice; wrote commentaries on the whole of the Hebrew Scriptures

The L-rd makes it clear that continued blessing is in some direct way contingent upon our tithing: "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,' says the L-rd of Hosts, 'if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows'" (Malachi 3:10, NASB). Yet our giving is not to be an impulse reaction to the emotional manipulation of a speaker soliciting funds at a meeting; instead it is to be more measured and planned, like the farmers who tithed "year by year", regularly and faithfully. Rav Sha'ul writes to the Corinthians who had not been exposed to this aspect of Torah, telling them, "On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come" (1 Corinthians 16:2, NASB). Whether you are in a fellowship that teaches tithing as a biblical principle, or encourages giving "as the Spirit leads", it is clear that our giving of money, time and resources to the kingdom of G-d should be a regular and planned activity rather than a haphazard or spasmodic arrangement that can leave us unable to respond to a need that has arisen, or placed in debt or financial difficulties in order to make a contribution. Neither is honouring to G-d.

Further Study: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Nehemiah 10:34-39

Application: Do you set aside money - tithe or freewill - on a regular basis for the L-rd and His work? This can be held in an interest-bearing account until needed, allowing you to make both regular and special gifts without unbalancing your domestic budget and shows a readiness to have funds available for G-d to call upon when He wishes.

© Jonathan Allen, 2008