If one kernel of wheat can exempt an entire pile from the Torah-level terumah obligation, what remains to be asked of the giver? Two teachings of the Rebbe help us distinguish what makes a gift valid from the willingness and personal responsibility with which we give.

Shavuos 5713: a valid gift and a willing giver

When someone presented wine as “bikkurim,” the Rebbe explained the comparison between giving to a Torah scholar and bringing first fruits. Terumah can be valid even when given grudgingly; at the Torah level, “חטה אחת פוטרת את הכרי,” one kernel exempts the pile.

Bikkurim, by contrast, involves choice fruit brought personally and joyfully. The Rebbe draws a lesson for supporting Torah: giving can count as tzedakah despite mixed motives, but one should learn to give without calculating the honor or gratitude due in return.

He roots that willingness in the soul’s essential bond with Hashem, through which self-importance yields to His will. Wine, which reveals what is hidden, represents revealing that bond. ^{Shavuos 5713 · §13, footnote 61}

Vayakhel–Pekudei 5726: designation changes status, not responsibility

Discussing the nesi’im, the Rebbe explains that being chosen as a leader itself brings an elevation. Footnote 46 illustrates this with the same kernel: although initially like every other kernel, designation through the power of Hashem and Torah makes it terumah.

Yet the leaders’ responsibility to encourage contributions to the Mishkan did not excuse delaying their own gifts. Their elevated position demanded personal effort alongside service to the community. ^{Vayakhel–Pekudei 5726 · §7, footnote 46}

Together, these teachings help us separate three questions: what the separation accomplishes, how much must be given, and how willingly one gives. This is an editorial clarification of the daf, not the Rebbe’s explicit explanation of its argument.

The Gemara initially proposes that terumah requires one-sixtieth by Torah law. It rejects that answer because Shmuel says “one kernel exempts the pile,” then retains rabbinic measures: in this exchange, one-fortieth for produce obligated by Torah law and one-sixtieth for produce obligated rabbinically; the one-fortieth figure continues the discussion of a generous measure. ^{Chullin 137b · terumah and pe’ah}

The leadership teaching directs our attention to the kernel’s changed status: its small size does not prevent a valid designation. Thus “exempts the pile” describes what separating terumah accomplishes at the Torah level, not permission to disregard the Sages’ required measures.

The Shavuos teaching adds a separate distinction: even a legally effective gift does not tell us how willingly its owner gave. The daf itself lists bikkurim among things without a fixed measure, so the Rebbe’s contrast concerns the giver’s choice produce, personal involvement, and joy, not a larger mandatory percentage.

When supporting Torah, do not dismiss a modest contribution that meets the obligation, or use its value to justify giving less than required. If you encourage others to give or learn, make your own contribution too; as with the nesi’im, helping others does not discharge your personal responsibility.

What remains for the giver is to bring willingness to that personal effort. Give what is required without making thanks or recognition a condition, and join personally in the work you ask others to support.