For the source text click/tap here: Bava Metzia 53
To download, click/tap here: PDF
Our daf cites a Mishna that teaches a number of halakhot regarding bikkurim and teruma.
For example, someone who is not a kohen who eats them will be liable to receive the death penalty if he consumes them with malicious intent or will have to pay restitution and add a 20% penalty if he eats them accidentally.
Nevertheless, they are considered the property of the kohen (i.e. he can sell them to another kohen), and if they were to fall into a mixture, they would become nullified at a ratio of 100:1 (ordinary forbidden foods become nullified at a ratio of 60:1).
The Mishna points out that all this is in contrast to the laws of ma’aser rishon, which has no unique holiness to it; it is simply a portion of the harvest that must be separated and given to the levi to do with it as he sees fit.
We further explore the need for bringing ties to Jerusalem and the inner biblical development of the halachot of trumot and ma'aserot.