Mishneh Torah — Heave Offerings (Terumot) הלכות תרומות, Chapter 2
The full Hebrew text of Mishneh Torah, Heave Offerings (Terumot), Chapter 2, with English translation by Maimonides (Rambam).
כָּל אֹכֶל אָדָם הַנִּשְׁמָר שֶׁגִּדּוּלָיו מִן הָאָרֶץ חַיָּב בִּתְרוּמָה. וּמִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה לְהַפְרִישׁ מִמֶּנּוּ רֵאשִׁית לַכֹּהֵן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים יח ד) "רֵאשִׁית דְּגָנְךָ תִּירשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ" (דברים יח ד) "תִּתֶּן לּוֹ". מַה דָּגָן תִּירוֹשׁ וְיִצְהָר מַאֲכַל בְּנֵי אָדָם וְגִדּוּלָיו מִן הָאָרֶץ וְיֵשׁ לוֹ בְּעָלִים שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר דְּגָנְךָ אַף כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן חַיָּב בִּתְרוּמוֹת וְכֵן בְּמַעַשְׂרוֹת:
[We are] obligated [to separate] terumah from food 1:1)]. [designated] for human [consumption], 68a). that is guarded,). and that grows from the earth. It is a positive commandment (positive commandment 126) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 507) include this commandment among the 613 mitzvot of the Torah. to separate the first portion [of such crops] for a priest, as [Deuteronomy 18:4] states: "You shall give him the first portion of your grain, your wine, and your oil." Just as grain, wine, and oil are [agricultural produce that] is food that is designated for humans, grows from the earth, and has an owner - as indicated by the term "your grain," - so, too, [we are] obligated to [separate] terumot and tithes from any analogous [agricultural produce]. 1:9; Rashi, Berachot 36a) maintain that, according to Scriptural Law, we are obligated to separate terumot and the tithes from only these three types of produce. They maintain that the obligation to separate the tithes from other types of produce is Rabbinic in origin. See also Halachah 6.
הַכַּרְשִׁינִין אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינָם מַאֲכַל אָדָם הוֹאִיל וְאוֹכְלִין אוֹתָן בִּשְׁנֵי רְעָבוֹן חַיָּבִין בִּתְרוּמָה וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת. הַסִּיאָה וְהָאֵזוֹב וְהַקּוֹרָנִית שֶׁזְּרָעָן מִתְּחִלָּה לְאָדָם חַיָּבִין בְּמַעֲשֵׂר. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן. זְרָעָן לְמַאֲכַל בְּהֵמָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּמְלַךְ וְחִשֵּׁב עֲלֵיהֶן לְאָדָם כְּשֶׁהֵן מְחֻבָּרִין פְּטוּרִין שֶׁמַּחְשֶׁבֶת חִבּוּר אֵינָהּ כְּלוּם. עָלוּ מֵאֲלֵיהֶן בֶּחָצֵר. אִם הִיא חָצֵר הַמְשַׁמֶּרֶת פֵּרוֹתֶיהָ הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ חַיָּבִין שֶׁסְּתָמָן לְאָדָם וְאִם אֵינָהּ מְשַׁמֶּרֶת פֵּרוֹתֶיהָ פְּטוּרָה:
[We are] obligated [to separate] terumah and tithes from vetch, even though it is not [usually] food for humans, since it is eaten [by humans] in a year of famine. [We are] obligated [to separate] tithes from siyah, hyssop,. In his notes to the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah, Sh'vi'it, ch. 8, note 6, Rav Kappach identifies the Arabic term used by the Rambam as "oregano." and koranit 3:3), the Rambam identifies these species as types of hyssop that grow wildly in gardens and courtyards. that are sown for human consumption. Similar laws apply to analogous species.If they were sown as animal fodder, even though the person changed his mind and thought to use them for human [consumption] while they were still connected to the ground, they are exempt. For the intent [of the owner] while [the produce] is growing is of no consequence. 3:3.[The following rules apply if] these herbs grow in a courtyard on their own. If the produce growing in the courtyard is guarded, [we are] obligated to [separate the tithes], for most probably it is for human consumption. If the produce within is not guarded, it is exempt.
זֵרְעוֹנֵי גִּנָּה שֶׁאֵינָן נֶאֱכָלִים כְּגוֹן זֶרַע לֶפֶת וְזֶרַע צְנוֹן וְזֶרַע בְּצָלִים וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן פְּטוּרִים מִן הַתְּרוּמָה וּמִן הַמַּעַשְׂרוֹת מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֵינָן אֹכֶל אָדָם. אֲבָל הַקֶּצַח חַיָּב בִּתְרוּמָה וּבְמַעַשְׂרוֹת:
Seeds of garden vegetables that are not eaten, e.g., turnip seed, raddish seed, onion seed, and the like are exempt from terumah and tithes, because they are not used for human consumption. [We are,] by contrast, obligated [to separate] terumah and tithes from caraway seed.
תְּמָרוֹת שֶׁל תִּלְתָּן וְשֶׁל חַרְדָּל וְשֶׁל פּוֹל הַלָּבָן וְשֶׁל צָלָף וְהַקַּפְרִיסִין שֶׁל צָלָף פְּטוּרִים מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֵינָן פְּרִי. בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּשֶׁזְּרָעָן לְזֶרַע. אֲבָל זְרָעָן לְיָרָק הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ חַיָּבִים. וְכֵן הָאֶבְיוֹנוֹת שֶׁל צָלָף חַיָּבִים מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן פְּרִי:
Blossoms of chilba, mustard seed, white beans, capers, and the caper bark 4:6). are exempt, because they are not considered as produce.When does the above apply? When they were sown for seed. When, however, they were sown for their produce, there is an obligation [to tithe]. Similarly, there is an obligation [to tithe] caper berries, because they are produce.
כֻּסְבַּר שֶׁזְּרָעָהּ לְזֶרַע יַרְקָהּ פָּטוּר מִן הַתְּרוּמָה וּמִן הַמַּעַשְׂרוֹת. זְרָעָהּ לְיָרָק מַפְרִישׁ תְּרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת מִן הַיְרָקוֹת וּמִן הַזֶּרַע. וְכֵן הַשֶּׁבֶת שֶׁזְּרָעָהּ לְזֶרַע יַרְקָהּ פָּטוּר. זְרָעָהּ לְיָרָק מִתְעַשֶּׂרֶת זֶרַע וְיָרָק. וְאֵינָהּ מִתְעַשֶּׂרֶת זִרִין. זְרָעָהּ לְזִרִין מַפְרִישׁ תְּרוּמָה וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת מִן הַזֶּרַע וּמִן הַיָּרָק וּמִן הַזִּרִין. וְכֵן הַשִּׁחֲלַיִם וְהַגַּרְגֵּר שֶׁזְּרָעָן לְזֶרַע מִתְעַשְּׂרִין זֶרַע וְיָרָק. כֵּיצַד מִתְעַשְּׂרִין לְזֶרַע וּלְיָרָק. שֶׁאִם לִקֵּט הַיָּרָק לְאָכְלוֹ מַפְרִישׁ תְּרוּמָה וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת וְאַחַר כָּךְ יֹאכַל. וּכְשֶׁיִּיבַשׁ וְיֶאֱסֹף הַזֶּרַע שֶׁלּוֹ מַפְרִישׁ מִן הַזֶּרַע:
When coriander was sown for seed, its vegetable is exempt from terumah and the tithes. If it was sown as a vegetable, we must separate terumot and tithes from both the vegetables and the seed. Similarly, when shevet, ch. 3, note 4), Rav Kappach identifies this as dill. is sown for seed, its vegetable is exempt from terumah and the tithes. If it was sown as a vegetable, we must separate terumot and tithes from both the vegetables and the seed. The seed capsules need not be tithed. If he sowed it for the sake of the seed capsules, he must separate terumot and tithes from the vegetables, the seed, and the seed capsules. Similarly, when cress and wild cress 4:5). were sown as a vegetable, we must separate tithes from both the seed and the vegetables.What is meant by [the statement] we must separate tithes from both the seed and the vegetables? That if he gathered the vegetables to eat them, he must separate terumah and the tithes and [only] then, eat. When [he allows the plant] to dry [and produce] seeds which he gathers, he must make these separations from the seed.
הַיְרָקוֹת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן מַאֲכַל אָדָם אֵינָן חַיָּבִין בְּמַעַשְׂרוֹת אֶלָּא מִדִּבְרֵיהֶן. לְפִי שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בְּמַעֲשֵׂר (דברים יד כב) "תְּבוּאַת זַרְעֶךָ". תְּבוּאָה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ. אֲבָל הַיְרָקוֹת אֵינָן בִּכְלַל הַתְּבוּאָה. וְכֵן יֵרָאֶה לִי שֶׁהוּא הַדִּין בִּתְרוּמָה. שֶׁהֲרֵי נֶאֱמַר בָּהּ (דברים יח ד) "דְּגָנְךָ תִּירשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ" כָּל הַדּוֹמֶה לְאֵלּוּ אֲבָל תְּרוּמַת הַיָּרָק מִדִּבְרֵיהֶם כְּמַעֲשֵׂר:
Even though vegetables are used for human consumption, the obligation to tithe them is only Rabbinic in origin. [The rationale is that] with regard to the tithes, [Deuteronomy 14:22] speaks of "the yield of your planting." Now the term tevuah [translated as "yield"] refers to grain and the like. Vegetables are not included as tevuah.Similarly, it appears to me 4:4) and in the Babylonian Talmud (Zevachim 76a). that this also applies with regard to terumah, for with regard to terumah, it is stated: "your grain, your wine, and your oil." Implied is that the obligation is applied to all species resembling those. Instead, terumah which is separated from vegetables is a Rabbinic decree like their tithes.
אֵין מַפְרִישִׁין תְּרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת מִן הַיָּרָק בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ. וַאֲפִלּוּ בִּמְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁאָמַרְנוּ שֶׁמַּפְרִישִׁין בָּהֶן מַעַשְׂרוֹת. וְכֵן יָרָק הַבָּא מִחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ לָאָרֶץ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁיֵּשׁ עָפָר בְּעִקָּרֶיהָ הֲרֵי זֶה פָּטוּר וְלֹא גָּזְרוּ עָלָיו. הַתְּבוּאָה וְהַקִּטְנִית שֶׁזְּרָעָן לְיָרָק בָּטְלָה דַּעְתּוֹ אֵצֶל כָּל אָדָם. וְהַיָּרָק שֶׁלָּהֶן פָּטוּר. וְהַזֶּרַע חַיָּב בִּתְרוּמָה וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת:
We do not separate terumah and tithes from vegetables in the Diaspora, even in the places where we said that tithes should be separated, are exported to the Diaspora in contemporary times, there is no need to separate terumah and tithes. Similarly, vegetables that come from the Diaspora to Eretz Yisrael, even though there is earth in their roots,. they are exempt and nothing was decreed concerning them.When grain or legumes are sown for their vegetables, the person's intent is not considered of consequence because of the prevailing conception of most people. [Hence,] their vegetables are exempt and [we are] obligated [to separate] terumah and tithes from their kernels.
הַתִּלְתָּן אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ אֹכֶל אָדָם כְּשֶׁיִּקְשׁוּ הוֹאִיל וְרֹב הָאָדָם אוֹכְלִין אוֹתָן בִּתְחִלָּתָן הֲרֵי הֵן חַיָּבִין בִּתְרוּמָה וּמַעֲשֵׂר:
Even though tiltan, a sharp and pungent herb used in Eretz Yisrael today. is not considered as fit for human consumption when it becomes hard, since most people eat it at the beginning [of its development], [we are] obligated [to separate] terumah and tithes from it. explains that there is no contradiction, for there is a difference between chilbah and chilbah blossoms.
וְאֵלּוּ פְּטוּרִין מִן הַתְּרוּמָה וּמִן הַמַּעַשְׂרוֹת. הַלֶּקֶט וְהַשִּׁכְחָה וְהַפֵּאָה וְהַפֶּרֶט וְהָעוֹלֵלוֹת. אֲפִלּוּ הֶעֱמִיד מֵהֶן כְּרִי. וְאִם עָשָׂה מֵהֶן גֹּרֶן בַּשָּׂדֶה הֻקְבְּעוּ לְמַעַשְׂרוֹת וּמַפְרִישׁ מֵהֶן תְּרוּמָה וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת. אֲבָל אִם עָשָׂה הַגֹּרֶן בָּעִיר פְּטוּרִין. שֶׁהֲרֵי קוֹל יֵשׁ לָהֶן שֶׁהַכּל יוֹדְעִין שֶׁהֵן לֶקֶט אוֹ שִׁכְחָה אוֹ פֵּאָה:
The following are exempt from terumah and tithes: Leket, shichachah, pe'ah, individual grapes that separate from a cluster, and underdeveloped grape clusters., all of these are portions of one's crops that must be given to the poor. Since they are ownerless, they are exempt according to Scriptural Law, as indicated by Halachah 1.The Rambam's statements are based on Challah 1:3. That mishnah does not, however, mention individual grapes that separate from a cluster and underdeveloped grape clusters. Nevertheless, since they are also presents given to the poor from our produce, the same laws apply to them. This applies even if [a poor person] collects them in a grainheap. 6:2) equates a granary with a grainheap, the Babylonian Talmud (Berachot 40b) mentions only a granary (Kessef Mishneh). If, however, he collects them in a granary in the field, it is established that there is an obligation for tithes upon them and terumah and tithes must be separated from them. If, however, he collects them in a granary in a town, they are exempt, for the matter is spoken about and everyone knows that [the produce] is leket, shichachah, and pe'ah.
הַלֶּקֶט וְהַשִּׁכְחָה וְהַפֵּאָה שֶׁל עַכּוּ"ם חַיָּבִין בִּתְרוּמָה וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת. אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן הִפְקִיר. וְכֵן הַתְּבוּאָה וְהַזֵּיתִים שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיאוּ שְׁלִישׁ פְּטוּרִין מִן הַתְּרוּמָה וּמִן הַמַּעַשְׂרוֹת. וּמִנַּיִן יוֹדֵעַ. כָּל שֶׁזּוֹרְעָהּ וּמַצְמַחַת בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁהֵבִיאָה שְׁלִישׁ. עָבַר וְהִפְרִישׁ מִתְּבוּאָה וְזֵיתִים שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיאוּ שְׁלִישׁ אֵינָהּ תְּרוּמָה:
One is obligated [to separate] terumah and tithes from leket, shichachah, and pe'ah [left] by a gentile and the tithes must be separated from it [Chapter 1, Halachot 10-11; see also the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Pe'ah 4:9)]. unless he declared them ownerless. Similarly, if grain and olives did not reach a third of their growth, they are exempt from terumah and the tithes. 331:28).How can one know [whether produce has reached a third of its growth]? When [the kernels] would grow if they were sown, 1:3). it is known that it has reached a third of its growth. If a person transgressed and separated [terumah] from grain and olives before they reached a third of their growth, [the separated produce] is not terumah. are associated with the produce separated originally.
וְכֵן הַהֶפְקֵר פָּטוּר מִן הַתְּרוּמָה וּמִן הַמַּעַשְׂרוֹת. וַאֲפִלּוּ הִפְקִירוֹ הָעַכּוּ"ם לוֹ. אֲבָל הַזּוֹרֵעַ שְׂדֵה הֶפְקֵר חַיָּב בִּתְרוּמָה וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת:
Similarly, produce that is declared ownerless is exempt from terumah and tithes. [This applies also to produce] declared ownerless by a gentile. 2:14) and the laws of vows do not apply to a gentile, when a gentile declares property ownerless, his declaration is effective. This concept is not accepted by all authorities and some even suggest alternate versions of the Mishneh Torah. Nevertheless, it is borne out by the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Pe'ah, loc. cit.). Nevertheless, if one planted [crops] on a field that was declared ownerless, he is obligated [to separate] terumah and tithes [from the crops].
הִפְקִיר קָמָה וְזָכָה בָּהּ וְעָבַר וְהִפְרִישׁ מִמֶּנָּה תְּרוּמָה הֲרֵי זוֹ תְּרוּמָה. אֲבָל אִם הִפְקִיר שִׁבֳּלִים וְזָכָה בָּהֶן וְעָבַר וְהִפְרִישׁ מֵהֶן תְּרוּמָה אֵינָהּ תְּרוּמָה. וְכֵן כָּל הַמַּפְרִישׁ מִדָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ חַיָּב תְּרוּמָה אֵינָהּ תְּרוּמָה. וְכֵן בְּמַעַשְׂרוֹת. דְּבָרִים שֶׁאֵין דֶּרֶךְ רֹב בְּנֵי אָדָם לְזָרְעָן בַּגִּנּוֹת וּבַשָּׂדוֹת אֶלָּא חֶזְקָתָן מִן הַהֶפְקֵר פְּטוּרִין מִן הַתְּרוּמָה וּמִן הַמַּעַשְׂרוֹת. כְּגוֹן הַשּׁוּם בַּעַל בֶּכִי. וּבָצָל שֶׁל רִכְפָּה. וּגְרִיס הַקִּלְקְלִי. וַעֲדָשִׁים הַמִּצְרִיּוֹת וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן:
When a person declares standing grain ownerless, takes possession of it, and then transgresses and separates terumah, from such produce. Even though the original owner himself took possession of the field, there is no difference between it and other ownerless crops. See Hilchot Matanot Aniyim 5:27. the laws of terumah apply to the produce separated. would not be effective, if it was declared ownerless at that time, that declaration does not prevent the separation of terumah afterwards from being effective [Jerusalem Talmud (Ma'aserot 1:1)]. If, however, he declared sheaves [of grain] ownerless, takes possession of them, and transgresses and separates terumah, the laws of terumah do not apply to the produce separated. separated from sheaves is effective (even though all the work associated with preparing crops is not completed), if the sheaves are declared ownerless, that declaration prevents the separation of terumah from being effective (ibid.). Similarly, whenever a person separates [terumah] from produce from which terumah is not obligated to be separated, the laws of terumah do not apply to the produce separated.Similarly, with regard to tithes, produce which the majority of people do not ordinarily sow in their gardens and fields, but instead, can be assumed to have grown ownerless are exempt from terumah and tithes. [This includes] garlic that makes one cry, onions of Rikpah, 5:7) where he explains that these species of garlic and onion are so pungent that they cause people to cry. He does, however, allow for the possibility that the Hebrew terms refer to names of places. a pearled Cilcilian bean, Egyptian lentils,). and the like.
נִתְעָרֵב דָּבָר שֶׁחַיָּב בִּתְרוּמָה בְּדָבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ חַיָּב. כְּגוֹן זֵיתֵי נִקּוּף שֶׁנִּתְעָרְבוּ בְּזֵיתֵי מָסִיק וְעִנְבֵי עוֹלֵלוֹת בְּעִנְבֵי בָּצִיר. אִם יֵשׁ לוֹ פֵּרוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת מוֹצִיא עַל הַחַיָּב לְפִי חֶשְׁבּוֹן. וְאִם אֵין לוֹ אֶלָּא אֵלּוּ מַפְרִישׁ תְּרוּמָה וּתְרוּמַת מַעֲשֵׂר עַל הַכּל וּכְאִלּוּ הַכּל חַיָּב בִּתְרוּמָה. וּמַפְרִישׁ מַעֲשֵׂר רִאשׁוֹן וְשֵׁנִי לְפִי חֶשְׁבּוֹן דָּבָר הַחַיָּב:
[The following laws apply if] produce from which we are obligated to separate terumah becomes mixed with produce which is exempt, e.g., olives gathered by the poor need not be separated. become mixed with olives reaped [by the owner], underdeveloped grape clusters). become mixed with grapes that were harvested. If the person has other produce,, but from which he did not separate it as of yet. he separates [terumah from it] for the produce upon which the obligation lies according to the appropriate reckoning. become mixed with other grapes, we separate an amount of terumah sufficient for five pounds of grapes from an additional source of grapes. With regard to the measure of terumah appropriate to give, see the following chapter. If this is all the produce the person has, he should separate terumah and terumat ma'aser for the entire mixture, is obligated to be separated and produce upon which there is no obligation. as if there was an obligation to separate terumah from the entire amount. (or tithes) from produce upon which there is no obligation for produce upon which there is an obligation. Since in every drop that he separates, there is a portion upon which there is no obligation, that separation is not effective (Siftei Cohen 331:28). As the Rambam writes in his Commentary to the Mishnah (Challah 3:9), one must be stringent and separate terumah and terumat ma'aser for the entire amount, because one is liable for death at the hand of heaven for partaking of produce from which these allocations were not made properly.In that source, the Rambam adds that the owner must buy the olives or the grapes to be given to the poor from them before he takes possession of the entire mixture. He should separate the first and second tithes for the produce upon which the obligation lies according to the appropriate reckoning. 331:29 and the Turei Zahav 331:7 explain that the intent is that one should separate the tithes for the entire amount, but give the Levite only the tithe for the amount upon which the obligation originally lay. In this manner, he will not have separated the tithes from produce upon which there is no obligation and yet will not have given the Levite more than would have had to.
הַתְּרוּמָה לַכֹּהֵן בֵּין טְהוֹרָה בֵּין טְמֵאָה אֲפִלּוּ נִטְמָא הַדָּגָן אוֹ הַתִּירוֹשׁ כֻּלּוֹ קֹדֶם שֶׁיַּפְרִישׁ הֲרֵי זֶה חַיָּב לְהַפְרִישׁ מִמֶּנּוּ תְּרוּמָה בְּטֻמְאָה וְלִתְּנָהּ לַכֹּהֵן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר יח ח) "וַאֲנִי נָתַתִּי לְךָ אֶת מִשְׁמֶרֶת תְּרוּמֹתָי", אַחַת טְהוֹרָה וְאַחַת טְמֵאָה. הַטְּהוֹרָה נֶאֱכֶלֶת לַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַטְּמֵאָה יֵהָנוּ בִּשְׂרֵפָתָהּ. אִם הָיָה שֶׁמֶן מַדְלִיקִין אוֹתוֹ. וְאִם הָיָה דָּגָן וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ מַסִּיקִין בּוֹ אֶת הַתַּנּוּר:
Terumah [must be given] to a priest whether it is in a state of ritual purity or not. Even if all the grain or the wine became impure before [terumah] was separated, he is obligated to separate the terumah that is impure and give it to a priest, as [Numbers 18:8] states: "And behold I have given you the watch over My terumah," uses a plural form alluding to two types of terumah: pure terumah and impure terumah. See also Hilchot Ma'aser 6:2. i.e., whether it is pure or impure. The pure [terumah] may be eaten by the priests and they can benefit from the impure [terumah] by burning it. If it is oil, it can be kindled [as fuel for a lamp]. If it is grain or the like, it can be used as fuel for an oven. (positive commandment 90) which states that it is a mitzvah to burn impure terumah. Impure terumah from fruits that will not be useful as fuel must be buried.
וְכֵן תְּרוּמַת מַעֲשֵׂר אִם נִטְמֵאת אוֹ נִטְמָא הַמַּעֲשֵׂר מַפְרִישִׁין אוֹתָהּ בְּטֻמְאָה וְנִתֶּנֶת לַכֹּהֵן לֵהָנוֹת בִּשְׂרֵפָתָהּ:
Similarly, if terumat ma'aser became impure - or if the tithes became impure, he must separate [terumat ma'aser] in impurity and give it to a priest to benefit from by using it as fuel.
וְכָל הַמַּפְרִישׁ תְּרוּמָה גְּדוֹלָה אוֹ תְּרוּמַת מַעֲשֵׂר מְבָרֵךְ קֹדֶם שֶׁיַּפְרִישׁ כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁמְּבָרְכִין עַל כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ בִּבְרָכוֹת:
Anyone who separates the great terumah or terumat ma'aser should recite a blessing before separating it, just as one recites a blessing over the observance of all the mitzvot, as we explained in [Hilchot] Berachot. 11:2, 6, 12, a blessing should be recited before the observance of every positive commandment.
אֵין מוֹצִיאִין תְּרוּמָה מֵהָאָרֶץ לְחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ אֲפִלּוּ טְמֵאָה. וְאֵין מְבִיאִין תְּרוּמָה מִחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ לָאָרֶץ. וְאִם הֵבִיא לֹא תֵּאָכֵל מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא טְמֵאָה בְּאֶרֶץ הַכּוּתִים. וְלֹא תִּשָּׂרֵף שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ רָאִינוּ תְּרוּמָה שֶׁלֹּא נִטְמֵאת נִשְׂרֶפֶת. וְלֹא תַּחֲזֹר לְחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ שֶׁמָּא יֹאמְרוּ מוֹצִיאִין תְּרוּמָה לְחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ. אֶלָּא מַנִּיחִין אוֹתָהּ עַד שֶׁתִּטָּמֵא טֻמְאָה יְדוּעָה לַכּל אוֹ עַד שֶׁיָּבוֹא עֶרֶב הַפֶּסַח אִם הָיְתָה חָמֵץ וְתִשָּׂרֵף:
Terumah - even impure terumah - should not be taken from Eretz Yisrael to the Diaspora. is pure, it should not be taken to the Diaspora, because the very earth of the Diaspora is considered as impure by Rabbinic decree (see Hilchot Tuma'at Meit, ch. 11) and the terumah will become impure. Even if the terumah was already impure, it should be burnt in Eretz Yisrael. See Sh'vi'it 6:5. We should not bring terumah from the Diaspora to Eretz Yisrael. to collect it [Jerusalem Talmud (Sh'vi'it 6:6)]. If it was brought [from the Diaspora], it should not be eaten, because it is impure because [of contact with] the earth of the nations. It should not be burnt, lest people say: "We saw terumah that did not become impure being burnt." It should not be returned to the Diaspora, lest people say: "Terumah may be taken [from Eretz Yisrael] to the Diaspora." Instead, we leave it until it becomes impure because of a known source of impurity or until the day before Pesach if it was leaven, and then it will be burnt.