Legal Definitions - tithe

A tithe refers to a traditional payment, typically representing one-tenth of one's income, produce, or profits. Historically, it was a compulsory tax or obligation, often paid to support a religious institution or a feudal lord. In contemporary usage, the term primarily describes a voluntary donation, usually 10% of one's earnings, given to a religious organization or charity.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a tithe:

• Modern Religious Contribution: A software engineer, committed to their faith, decides to donate 10% of their bi-weekly paycheck to their local church. This regular contribution helps fund the church's operations, community programs, and charitable outreach efforts.

  This example illustrates a tithe in its modern context, where an individual voluntarily gives a fixed percentage of their income to a religious organization as a form of spiritual obligation or charitable giving.

• Historical Agricultural Obligation: In a medieval European village, a farmer who cultivated a large field of barley was legally required to deliver one-tenth of their harvested grain to the local monastery each year. This portion of the harvest was used to support the clergy and the monastery's charitable activities.

  This demonstrates a historical tithe, where a portion of agricultural produce (barley) was a mandatory payment to a religious institution, reflecting its role as a form of taxation or feudal duty.

• Historical Livestock Payment: During the 17th century, a shepherd in a rural English parish was expected to provide one-tenth of the new lambs born in their flock annually to the parish vicar. This payment in kind contributed to the vicar's sustenance and the upkeep of the parish church.

  This example showcases another historical form of tithe, specifically a "mixed tithe," where a portion of livestock (lambs) produced through human effort was a compulsory payment to support the local clergy.