[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.

[After] he had made the first terumah withdrawal he covered [the remaining money] with leather covers; [after] the second [withdrawal] he covered [the remaining money] with leather covers; [but after] the third [withdrawal] he did not cover [the remaining money]. [The money is covered] lest he forget and withdraw from an accumulation from which [funds] had [al-ready] been withdrawn.  He withdrew the first terumah on behalf of [the inhabitants of] Eretz Yisrael, the second on behalf of [the inhabitants of] the cities surrounding it, and the third on behalf of [the inhabitants of] Babylon, Media, and the distant countries.