Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a historical halachic scenario highlighting the gap between perceived and actual holiness:

Abba Shaul says: Two ponds existed on Har HaMishcha: a lower pond, consecrated during the First Temple with all procedures, bearing Jerusalem’s sanctity; and an upper pond, consecrated incompletely by Babylonian returnees without a king or Urim VeTummim.

The baraisa explains: At the lower pond, fully consecrated, amei ha’aretz ate offerings of lesser sanctity but not second tithe, acting stringently. Chaverim ate both. At the upper pond, incompletely consecrated, amei ha’aretz ate lesser offerings but not second tithe; chaverim ate neither. The upper pond wasn’t fully consecrated because additions to Jerusalem or the Temple require a king, prophet, Urim VeTummim, Sanhedrin, two thanks-offerings, and a song.

The Gemara asks why the upper pond was consecrated if it couldn’t be done properly, then clarifies: Why was it brought within Jerusalem’s walls? Because it was a weak point, vulnerable to conquest, necessitating inclusion.

Per Rashi, amei ha’aretz were stringent about maaser sheni due to its segulah for wealth and the viduy maasros declaration “before God,” but less so about sacrificial meat, though it’s holier. This shows social perceptions of holiness often misalign with halacha. People favor segulos and soteriological rituals over raw prayer or repentance, as Rav Yisrael Salanter quipped about avoiding nuts during the Ten Days of Repentance (because eggoz = gematria of chet): “You might also avoid sin, as chet is also equal in gematria to chet!”

Yet, these perceptions can motivate positively. The sages allowed the upper pond’s inclusion, despite misleading amei ha’aretz into eating sacrifices there, to ensure fierce defense against invasion (Tosafos). The Rabbis sometimes leveraged erroneous perceptions of holiness for necessary motivation.

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com