With three baskets of three se’ah each, they withdraw the terumah from the [funds in the treasury] chamber; on them were written [the Hebrew letters] “aleph,” “beis,” “gimmel.”  R’ Yishmael says: The Greek [letters] “alpha,” “beta,” “gam-ma” were written on them.  The one who withdraws the terumah may not enter [the treasury chamber] wearing a hemmed garment, nor with a shoe or a sandal, nor with tefillin or an amulet, lest he become poor and people might say, “Because of the sin of [stealing from] the [treasury] chamber has he become impoverished!” Or, lest he become rich and people might say, “He has enriched himself with the terumah of the [treasury] chamber!” For a person must please people in the same manner that he must please the Omnipresent, for it is said: And you shall be guiltless before HASHEM and before Israel [Numbers 32:22]. And it is also said: And find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and mankind [Proverbs 3:4].

[Each member] of Rabban Gamliel’s household would enter [the treasury chamber] with his half shekel between his fingers and throw it before the one withdrawing the terumah. The one withdrawing the terumah would purposely push it into the basket.  The one making the withdrawal did not withdraw the terumah until he had inquired, “Shall I withdraw the terumah?” —- and they had replied to him, “Withdraw! Withdraw! Withdraw!” —- three times.