“I did not eat in my grieving from it”; but if he ate from it while grieving, he is unable to recite the declaration. “. . . and I did not consume it in a state of tumah”; but if he set it aside in tumah, he is unable to recite the acknowledgment. “. . . and I did not give of it for [the needs of] the dead”: I did not acquire with it a casket and shrouds for the dead, and I did not give it to other grievers. “I listened to the voice of Hashem, my God”: I brought it to the Holy Temple. “I have acted according to everything that You have commanded me”: I rejoiced and brought joy [to others] with it.

“Gaze down from Your holy abode, from the heavens”; we have done that which You ordained on us; also You do that which You promised us: “Gaze down from Your holy abode, from the heavens, and bless Your nation, Israel”: with sons and daughters. “. . . and the land which You have given us”: with dew and rain, and with offspring of livestock. “. . . as You swore to our forefathers, a land flowing with milk and honey”: in order that You may instill taste in the produce.

From here they said: Yisraelim and mamzerim may recite the declaration, but not converts and not freed slaves, since they do not have a share in the Land. R' Meir says: Also not Kohanim and Leviim, since they did not get a share in the Land. R' Yose says: They have [the] open cities.

Yochanan Kohen Gadol brought to an end [the recitation of] the maaser declarations. And he also abolished the awakeners and the cutters. Until his days the hammer would bang in Jerusalem. And in his days, it was not necessary for anyone to in-quire about demai.