How long do I need to hold onto my coin for pidyon ma'aser sheni? What about Beit Ha'otzar members?
Question
If in my case, I must have my own coin, how long is it used for? Somebody told me that it’s forever, which I didn’t think was the case, according to your notes?
Answer
People who are not members of Beit Ha'otzar and have their own coins – as well as us folks at the institute who handle our members' coins – hold onto the coins until Pesach of year 4 and of the shemitah year.
At this point, the coins must be destroyed. They can be hammered out, thrown it into the sea, or it is possible to transfer their holiness to sugar and dissolve it in water and pour it out the drain.
This is called bi'ur ma'aser sheni.
Members don't have to worry about this – it's done on their behalf. This certainly applies to you too.
To learn more on bi'ur ma'aserot, see Mitzvot of the Land in a Nutshell, here.
Check out this clip on bi'ur ma'aserot by Rabbi Itzhak Dvir, here.
And see this article on bi'ur and viduy ma'aserot I wrote, here.