OU TORAH YU TORAH NAALEH.COM Continuous Compassion By Shira Smiles

Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein The Torah commands us that when we come to the land Hashem has promised us, in the third year of the shemittah cycle, we give an additional tenth of our produce to the Levite, the proselyte, the orphan and the widow. Then we are to make a declaration before Hashem that sounds very much like a confession: “I have removed the holy things from my house, I have given to the Levite… and to the widow according to whatever commandment You commanded me. I have not transgressed… I have hearkened to Your voice. I have acted according to everything as You commanded me. Gaze down from Your holy abode… and bless Your people Israel…” Because of the terminology, this declaration is indeed referred to as viduy maasrot – Confession of the Tithes.