The [following are] lenient species with regard to demai: Wild figs, lotus, sorb-apples, white figs, sycamore figs, fallen dates, late-season grapes, and capers. And in Judea, sumac; vinegar in Judea; and coriander. R’ Yehudah says: All wild figs are exempt [from the law of demai] except for those [from trees] that bear fruit twice a year. All lotus is exempt except for the lotus of Shik-monah. All sycamore figs are exempt except for those that burst open.

Demai is not subject to [the surcharge of] a fifth; it is not subject to [the law of] remov-al; it may be eaten by an onein; it may enter Jerusalem and leave; we may abandon a small portion of it on the road; one may give it to an am haaretz, but must eat a corresponding amount [in Jerusalem]; and we may deconsecrate its [re-demption money], [from] silver [coins] onto silver [coins], [from] copper [coins] onto copper [coins], [from] silver [coins] onto copper [coins], and [from] copper [coins] onto produce, provided that he then redeems the produce. [These are the] words of R’ Meir. But the Sages say: He brings the produce up and it is eaten in Jerusalem.

One who purchases [grain] for seed or for [feeding] animals, flour for [tanning] hides, oil for a lamp or oil for greasing utensils is exempt from the demai [tithing obligation]. From Keziv and beyond is exempt from the demai [tithing obligation]. The challah of an am haaretz, produce mixed with terumah, that which is pur-chased with maaser sheni money and the remnants of minchah-offerings are exempt from the demai [tithing obligation]. Pleasant oil: Beis Shammai [consider it] liable [to the demai tithing obligation]; but Beis Hillel exempt [it].

[Regarding] demai: We may make eruvin with it, and we may make shitufei [mevo’os] with it; we utter a blessing over it, and we recite the collective blessing [formula of the Bircas HaMazon] on it; we may separate [tithes from] it while unclothed [and] during twilight. But if one separates maaser sheni [from it] before maaser rishon, it is of no consequence. Oil which the weaver applies to his fingers is liable to the demai [tithing obliga-tion], but that which the carder puts in the wool is exempt from the demai [tithing obli-gation].

And these things are tithed [under the law of] demai in every location: pressed figs, dates, carobs, rice, and cumin. [Regarding] rice that is [from] Chutz La’aretz, whoever makes use of it is exempt [from the demai tithing obligation].

One who accepts upon himself to be trusted [with respect to tithes must] tithe what he eats, what he sells, and what he purchases, and may not be hosted by an am haaretz. R’ Yehudah says: Someone who is hosted by an am haaretz is also trusted. They said to him: [If] he is not trusted regarding himself, how can he be trusted regarding others?

One who accepts upon himself to be a chaver does not sell to an am haaretz wet or dry [food], does not buy from him wet [food], is not hosted by an am haaretz, and does not host him in his clothes. R’ Yehudah says: Also, he should not raise small domesticated animals, he should not overindulge in vows and frivolity, he should not render himself tamei [through contact] with dead bodies, and he should serve in the House of Study. They said to him: These things are not included.

[Regarding] bakers, the Sages required them to separate only [a quantity] sufficient for terumas maaser and challah. Shopkeepers are not permitted to sell demai. All who sell with a large measure are permitted to sell demai. These are those who sell with a large measure: [those] such as grain wholesalers and sellers of grain.

R’ Meir says: That which is usually measured with a large [measure] which one meas-ured with a small [measure] — the small [measure] is subordinate to the large [one]. That which is usually measured with a small [measure] which one measured with a large [measure] — the large [measure] is subordinate to the small [one]. What is a large measure? For dry [food], three kabin; for liquids, [the value of] a dinar. R’ Yose says: Baskets of figs, baskets of grapes, and boxes of vegetables — when-ever one sells them by estimation, he is exempt [from the demai tithing requirement].

[If] a person has two hundred zuz, he may not take leket, shich'chah, peah, or maasar ani. [If] he had two hundred minus a dinar, even [if] one thousand give him all at once —- he may take. [If] they were pledged as security to his creditor or to his wife's kesubah, he may take.  We do not obligate him to sell his house or his household utensils.

[If] a person has fifty zuz and trades with them, he may not take.  Whoever does not need to take, and takes, will not depart from the world until he becomes dependent on people.  And whoever needs to take but does not take will not die of old age until he supports others from his own; and about him Scripture says: Blessed is the man who trusts in HASHEM and for whom HASHEM is his trust (Jeremiah 17:7). And similarly with a judge who delivers a true judgment according to its truth. And anyone who is neither lame, nor blind, nor crippled, but makes himself out like one of these, will not die of old age until he becomes like one of these; as it is said: Justice, justice shall you pursue (Deut. 16:20). And any judge who takes a bribe and perverts judgment will not die of old age until his eyes grow dim, as it is said: You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds those with sight, etc. (Exodus 23:8).