Bi'ur ma'aserot questions: I didn't realize I needed to destroy the coin! How do I know when a coin is "full"? What then?
Question
I first learned about separating terumot and ma'aserot in yeshiva in 2015. In either 2015 or 2016 I designated a half shekel coin to redeem the kedushah onto. At that point in time, I didn't know about bi'ur ma'aser needing to be done at specific times every 4th and 7th year.
I've had the same coin for 9 or 10 years and have periodically used it to redeem produce. I did not do bi'ur ma'aser on it yet but will destroy it before Pesach of this year.
How do I know when the coin is “full” and I need to replace it?
How many times can I redeem produce onto it?
If I “fill up” one coin before the designated time to do bi'ur ma'aser, should I destroy the coin and start a new one or do I have to keep the “full” coin until the 4th or 7th year and only them destroy it?
If I keep the full coin until the year in which I need to destroy it, is there some special procedure when I start the new coin?
Do I need to transfer the kedushah from the full coin to the new coin? Thanks
Answer
How do we know when the coin is "full"?
- It is optimal to take a coin of a high value, say a five-or ten-shekel coin, and store it in a special place together with a piece of paper. Each time you transfer one perutah of ma'aser sheni sanctity, note a line to show that one perutah has been transferred to the coin.
- It is important to check the value of a perutah (we update it on our website once a month here) so you know how much money has become holy in your coin. As of today (Adar 5786), the value of a perutah is 30 agorot.
- Once this sum is finished (say: if you have a 10-shekel coin today, after 33 transfers based on the current value), your coin has been used up and becomes completely holy.
Do we need to wait for Pesach in the 4th and 7th year to do bi'ur?
You need not wait for Pesach to perform bi'ur ma'aserot; that is the deadline.
What is the procedure for performing bi'ur ma'aserot?
There are three options:
Preferably, destroy your coin by defacing it or throwing it into the sea.
Second preference is to transfer the sanctity onto a smaller coin.
To do so, say the following formula: "The sanctity of all coins of ma’aser sheni and revay that are in my possession, plus a quarter of their worth, is hereby transferred, each level of obligation separately, to this coin.”
Then deface/throw to the sea the smaller coin. Afterwards, you may use your larger coin.
Third preference is to transfer the sanctity from the coin onto sugar. Take half a cup of sugar (this amount was calculated based on the value of sugar and the current value of a perutah, and to account for varying levels of obligation) say the following formula:
“The sanctity of the coin/coins of ma’aser sheni and revay that are in my possession, plus a quarter of their worth, is hereby transferred, each level of obligation separately, onto this sugar that is before me.”
Then dissolve it with water, pouring it down the drain.
Dedicating a new coin
In general, to dedicate a new coin, it is necessary to have sufficient ma'aser sheni that is the value of a perutah, on the highest level of obligation that you will use the coin for.
Going forward, we recommend becoming a member of Beit Ha'otzar, where the coin is dedicated on the highest level of obligation (perutah chamurah) on behalf of members; there is no need to keep track of how much sanctity is in the coin (we do this), and its destruction is also handled. This is besides the ability to actually give the gifts to the proper recipients (Levi/ poor). Become a member here.