A Unique Passover

This year Pesach is unique as we are in the middle of a war. It is also special in that the original exodus from Egypt took place on a Thursday, and the first day of Passover fell this year on a Thursday.

But there is one more aspect of this year’s Holiday of Spring that is not so commonly known. This refers to a ceremony that took place once in four years on Pesach during the time of the Temple. It is still commemorated today on a rabbinic level.

We are referring to a ceremony known as “Viduy Ma’aserot,” that is mentioned in the Torah in Parshat Ki Tavo.

On the fourth and seventh year of the Shmitta cycle, this “confession of the tithing,” was done on Passover. It was a declaration that the the tithing process had been meticulously observed.

This declaration could only be made after the Maaser Ani, the tithing of the poor, had been separated in the third and sixth year.

Every year, the farmer separated Teruma for the Kohein, Maaser Rishon for the Levi, and Maaser Sheini, on the first, second, fourth, and fifth year of the Shmitta cycle. On the third and sixth year, Maaser Ani for the poor was also separated.

This meant that after the third and sixth year, all of the necessary tithes had been separated. We wait until Passover the following year, until all crops have been harvested.

With all of the excitement of our current situation, this unique ceremony is either unknown or overlooked. It will be observed this year in certain circles, as well. It is another indication of the signs of redemption becoming more and more clear. We are living in truly amazing times!