Maaser Sheni 5:1-2

Ma’aser Sheini 5:1

(Kerem revai is produce of a vineyard in its fourth year. As with maaser sheini, it must be consumed in Jerusalem or redeemed with money to be spent on food in Jerusalem.)

Clods of dirt are placed around kerem revai to identify it; orlah (trees in the first three years, whose fruit may not be eaten) is identified by placing clay around it; graves are marked with lime, which is dissolved to make it more visible. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says that the kerem revai and orlah are marked in the sabbatical year (when produce is free for the taking). Pious people, instead of marking their kerem revai to keep people from eating it, would put down money to redeem whatever they eat.

Ma’aser Sheini 5:2

Kerem revai was brought to Jerusalem from a day’s distance in any direction. This would be Eilat in the south, Ak’r’vas in the north, Lod in the west and the Jordan in the east. When produce increased (so that there was plenty in Jerusalem), the Sages ruled that it should be redeemed near the city wall, with the understanding that they could revert to the previous practice at any time. Rabbi Yosi says that the condition was made after the Temple was destroyed and that it stipulated that the original procedure would resume when the Temple is rebuilt.