Shekalim 7:1-2

Shekalim 7:1

Let’s say that money was found in between the chests designated for shekels and for donation offerings. If it’s closer to the shekels, it goes to the shekels; if closer to donations, it goes to donations. If it’s in the middle, it goes to donations. If money was found in between the chests designated for wood and frankincense, if it’s closer to wood, it goes to wood; if closer to frankincense, it goes to frankincense. If it’s in the middle, it goes to frankincense. If money was found in between the chests designated for nests and “birds for burnt offerings,” if it’s closer to nests, it goes to nests; if closer to birds for burnt offerings, it goes to birds for burnt offerings. If it’s in the middle, it goes to birds for burnt offerings. If money was found in between unconsecrated money and second-tithe money, if it’s closer to the unconsecrated money, it goes to the unconsecrated money; if closer to the second-tithe money, it goes to the second-tithe money. If it’s in the middle, it goes to the second-tithe money. The general rule is that we act leniently when money is closer to the more lenient thing but when it is midway between two things, we put it in the more stringent coffer.

Shekalim 7:2

Money found in the Jerusalem cattle market is always assumed to be second-tithe money. Money found on the Temple mount is assumed to be unconsecrated. Money found in Jerusalem during one of the Festivals is assumed to be second-tithe money but during the rest of the year, it is assumed to be unconsecrated.