Ma’aser Beheima (Hebrew: מַעְשַׂר בְּהֵמָה) aka Livestock Tithe aka Animal Tithe aka Cattle Tithe was first introduced in Leviticus 27:32-33
Leviticus 27:32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord - KJV
Leviticus 27:33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed - KJV
Amazing Facts About Animal Tithe:
- Considered to be part of Ma’aser Rishon, the first tithe.
- v32 It would be the LAST (and NOT the FIRST) animal that passed under the rod (contrary to what our modern day tithe teachers say that tithes are the first 10th of our income!?!?!)
- v33 Good or bad - ie) even if an animal was blind, lame or otherwise sick and happened to pass under the rod became the tithe animal (contrary to what tithe teacher teach that tithes are the "best" of our income - NO
- What if a herdsman had 9 cows, how many cows he would have tithed - Zero
- What if a herdsman had 19 cows, how many cows, he would have tithed - 1 out of 19 (so not the "gross").
- If an attempt was made to exchange an animal that had become a tithe animal, the owner ended up in losing both, which would be 2 out of 10!
- Only animals that can be slaughtered and eaten could become tithe animals. Donkeys, Camels, Deer and Rabbit excluded.
Redemption Option:
None! Contrary to the agricultural tithe redemption, there is no option to redeem animal tithes.
If you are a herdsman in ancient Israel and your daughter likes a particular cow called Bessie and if Bessie, happens to be the 10th animal, it could not be exchanged for another cow called Bertha. Both Bessie and Berth would become tithe animals, no matter how loud your daughter cries :(
Unknowns About Animal Tithes:
Recipients of Cattle Tithes: Scholars disagree about who had actually received the animal tithe. Some Bible scholars think that the Levites received them but others think that the Aaronic Priests received it.
Mixing different animals: Can a herdsman mix different kinds of animals? What if a herdsman had 6 cows, 4 oxen or 5 goats and 5 sheep or 6 cows and 4 lambs - Not sure how the tithing system worked as the religion of Judaism evolved through out the generations.
Firstborn Animals: What if a firstborn animal happened to pass under the rod? Could that be redeemed to participate during the pilgrimage festivals? Or if the firstborn animal (which participated during the 2nd tithe) got exchanged for money and would it be allowed to participate during the first tithe process? Again we don’t know how they handled these kind of nuances in ancient Israel.
Judaism's View On Animal Tithes:
In Judaism, the cattle tithe is a commandment in the Torah requiring the sanctifying a tithe of cattle or flock to God, to be sacrificed as a Korban at the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Jewish Sages ordained that animals should not be tithed in the present era when the Temple is not standing.
Animals during Ma’aser Sheni, the 2nd tithe - Limited to Firstborn Animals:
Deuteronomy 14:23 - "You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.
Firstborn animals could be exchanged for money if the distance to Jerusalem was too far.
Animals during Ma’aser Ani, the 3rd tithe:
No animals participated in during the 3rd tithe and it was restricted only to agricultural products.
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