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Peah 1:6-2:1

Peah 1:6

(A pile of grain does not become liable to have tithes taken until it is smoothed and organized. The following laws are ramifications of that.) If a person did not leave the corners of his field, but instead took peah from the grain he cut, he need not take tithes from it until he straightens the pile. He may also declare the grain ownerless (hefker) and not give tithes from it until the pile is straightened. He can feed animals and birds from the grain and not give tithes until the pile is straightened. He can take some of this grain and plant it without taking tithes until the pile is straightened; this is the opinion of Rabbi Akiva. If a kohein and a Levi bought the produce from the threshing floor, the tithes are theirs until the pile has been straightened. If a person consecrates the pile and then redeems it, he owes tithes until the Temple treasurer straightens the pile.

Peah 2:1

Certain things divide a field vis-à-vis the laws of peah. These include a stream of water, a private or a public road, a public path, a private path that is used year-round, an uncultivated field, a plowed field, a field that is planted with a different crop. Rabbi Meir says that if a person reaps a section of his field for animal fodder, that qualifies as a division. The Sages say it only qualifies as a division if he plows it.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz