One who says: “I obligate myself [to offer] wood,” may not bring less than two blocks; [if he says,] “Frankincense,” he may not bring less than a fistful; [if he says,] “Gold,” he may not bring less than a gold dinar.  What was done with the [funds in the] six chests [designated] for donative-offerings? They would buy burnt-offerings; the meat for God and the hides for the Kohanim. This exposition was expounded by Yehoyada the Kohen Gadol:  It is a guilt-offering, for he is guilty, a guilt-offering to Hashem [Leviticus 5:19]. This is the general rule: Whatever comes because of sin or because of guilt shall be used to purchase burnt-offerings; the meat for God and the hides for the Kohanim. Thus the two verses are reconciled: [It is a] guilt-offering for Hashem and a guilt-offering for the Kohanim. And it also says: The guilt-offerings money and the sin-offerings money shall not be brought to the Temple of Hashem; they shall be for the Kohanim (II Kings 12:17).

Coins which are found between the shekalim [chests] and the donative-offering [chests]: [if they are found] closer to the shekalim [chests], they should fall to the shekalim [chests]; [if closer] to the donative-offering [chests], they should fall to the donative-offering [chests]; [if] equidistant from the two, they should fall to the donative-offering [chests].  [Coins which are found] between “Wood” and “Frankincense”: [if they are found] closer to “Wood,” they should fall to “Wood”; [if closer] to “Frankincense,” they should fall to “Frankincense”; [if] equidistant from the two, they should fall to “Frankincense.” [Coins which are found] between “Nests” and “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings”: [if they are found] closer to “Nests,” they should fall to “Nests”; [if closer] to “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings,” they should fall to “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings”; [if] equidistant from the two, they should fall to “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings.”  [Coins which are found] between nonconsecrated [funds] and second tithe [funds]: [if they are found] closer to nonconsecrated [funds], they should fall to nonconsecrated [funds]; [if closer] to second tithe [funds], they should fall to second tithe [funds]; [if] equidistant from the two, they should fall to second tithe [funds].  This is the general rule: We decide according to proximity [even] for leni-ency, but in a case of equidistance we decide for stringency.

Coins which are found before animal dealers [in Jerusalem] are always [assumed to be second] tithe [money]. [Coins found] on the Temple Mount [are assumed to be] nonconsecrated.  [Coins found elsewhere] in Jerusalem: [if they are found] during the pilgrimage festivals, [they are assumed to be second] tithe [money]; but during the rest of the year, [they are assumed to be] nonconsecrated.

[If] meat is found in the [Temple] Courtyard, limbs are [assumed to be] burnt-offerings, but slices are [assumed to be] sin-offerings. [If meat is found] in Jerusalem, it is [assumed to be] peace-offerings. In either case it must be left until it is unfit and then removed to the place of burning.  [If meat is] found in the province, limbs are [assumed to be] unslaugh-tered, [but] slices are permitted. At the time of the pilgrimage festival when meat is plentiful, even limbs are permitted.