Although a kohan may not eat teruma that has become ritually unready (טמא-tamei), he may derive benefit from it like stoking the fire with the ritually unready teruma. Everybody agrees that this understanding applies to bread and oil; however, there is a disagreement concerning grains of wheat. Rav Huna forbids deriving benefit from throwing grains of wheat into a fire lest he encounter a stumbling block. Roasted grains of wheat may look so appetizing that a person will forget that these tamei grains of wheat are forbidden to eat and pop them into his mouth. Rabbi Yokhanan permits it according to Rav Ashi understanding when they are soaked first. By soaking these grains of wheat first they become so disgusting that the person would not want to eat them at all
The Gemara wonders where Rav Ashi learned this application. “The Gemara asks: Where was Rav Ashi’s explanation stated? It was stated with regard to this: As Rabbi Avin bar Rav Akha said that Rabbi Yitzkhak said: Abba Shaul was the dough kneader of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s house, and they would heat water for him, to make dough, with wheat of ritually impure teruma in order to knead dough in ritual purity. The Gemara asks: Why did they do this? Let us be concerned lest they encounter a stumbling block by accidentally eating this wheat. With regard to this Rav Ashi said that it was only done when the wheat was boiled and repulsive and could only be used for lighting a fire.” (Sefaria.org translation.
“Judah ha-Nasi (Hebrew: יהודה הנשיא?, Yehudah HaNasi or Judah the Prince) or Judah I, was a second-century rabbi (a tanna of the fifth generation) and chief redactor and editor of the Mishnah. He lived from approximately 135 to 217 CE. He was a key leader of the Jewish community during the Roman occupation of Judea...The authority of Judah's office was enhanced by his wealth, which is referred to in various traditions. In Babylon, the hyperbolic statement was later made that even his stable-master was wealthier than King Shapur. His household was compared to that of the emperor. Simeon ben Menasya praised Judah by saying that he and his sons united in themselves beauty, power, wealth, wisdom, age, honor, and the blessings of children. During a famine, Judah opened his granaries and distributed corn among the needy. But he denied himself the pleasures procurable by wealth, saying: ‘Whoever chooses the delights of this world will be deprived of the delights of the next world; whoever renounces the former will receive the latter.’” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judah_ha-Nasi
Even though Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi wasn’t a kohan, he accepted upon himself the laws of eating food in ritual readiness. That’s why he had a scholar the caliber of Abba Shaul bake his bread. Abba Shaul would know the ins and outs of all the pertinent laws. If Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi was so rich, why did he use tamei teruma as fuel? Rashi explains that the kohanim sold temei teruma at a discount rate because they could not eat it; consequently, it was cheaper than regular fuel.
Now if a person as rich as Rabbi Yehudah was frugal, how much more so should we be frugal during this time of pandemic when so many people have lost their jobs or living on a very fixed income. The New York Post reports:
“The coronavirus pandemic has tragically impacted the financial situations of many people and brought new focus to the importance of prioritizing spending,” said Josh Meyers, CEO of Slickdeals.
“We see a shift toward smarter spending with 65 percent of respondents indicating that the pandemic has transformed them into a frugal person and 67 percent reporting that being called frugal is actually a compliment.”
Your financial mindset can also be impactful when on the dating scene.
Two-thirds of those polled said they actually think using a coupon on a first date is completely acceptable. In fact, 45 percent said they’d happily use a coupon on a first date.
Three in four say that the more they age, the more desirable it is for a romantic prospect having a smart financial mindset.
“Being frugal encompasses money, convenience and time, coupled with value,” Meyers added. “At Slickdeals, we equate frugality with smart shopping and we’ve assembled the largest community of savvy consumers so users can score the best deals on the best products, with insight from millions of real people.”
Cheap or frugal?
Cheap
Tipping the minimum acceptable amount (15–20 percent) regardless of service
Declining to be a part of rounds at the bar
Calculating your part of a group bill to the cent
Keeping outdated or worn out electronics, as long as they still barely work
Reusing tea bags or coffee filters
Eating food a few days past its expiration date (See this article about eight foods that last longer than the expiration date. http://www.eatingwell.com/article/7870492/foods-last-longer-than-expiration-date/?did=594280-20201230&utm_campaign=daily-nosh_newsletter&utm_source=eatingwell.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=123020&cid=594280&mid=47803961279)
Lengthening longevity of soap by diluting soap bottles with water
Re-gifting
Frugal
Regularly tracking electricity use (switching off lights/appliances when they aren’t in use)
Regularly tracking the home thermostat (keeping the heat as low as possible)
Watching movies at home instead of in the theater
Shopping at second-hand clothing stores
Buying clothes at department stores like Kmart, Walmart, etc.
Buying off-brand food products
Buying no-name electronics (such as ear buds from the corner stone)
Giving up drinking while at bars or restaurants / only having alcohol at home
Seeking out deals or coupons for all purchases
For the full article go to: https://nypost.com/2020/08/26/these-are-the-ways-americans-are-pinching-pennies-during-the-pandemic/
I’m not sure I agree with all the activities that are described as being cheap, but we all should be watching our pennies.
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