Special Ceremony

The Torah described a special ceremony that occurs on the last day of Pesach, twice every seven years. This will occur this year as well, G-d willing.

The ceremony is known as “Viduy Ma’asrot,” the confession regarding tithes. There is a three year cycle involving the separation of the various tithes. Every year Ma’aser Rishon is given to the Levite. On years one and two, and four and five, Maaser Sheini is also separated. On years three and six, Maaser Oni, for the poor, is separated instead of Maaser Sheini.

Therefore, after the third year and the sixth year, all of the tithes have been separated. We are currently in year four of the Sabbatical year cycle. The ceremony will be observed even today in certain circles.

It is quite amazing that when one makes the declaration of Viduy Ma’asrot, he also makes the statement, “I have not transgressed Your Mitzvot, nor have I forgotten.” This is said before Hashem where it would seem highly unlikely that this was not the absolute truth.

It is difficult to imagine that there was a time when every Jew was so meticulous in his Torah observance, down to the last detail.

We long for the days of Temple service. But even more, we long for the days when every Jew observed the Torah to its last detail.