Question: Why do we need a verse according to R. Akiva (Sanhedrin 4a), who says that a Revi'is of blood from two Mesim is Metamei b'Ohel, and why do Chachamim disagree?

We hold that whenever the Tum'ah and the Shi'ur are the same, they join!

Answer: The case is, the Revi'is came from two Nefalim (stillborn babies). Neither had a Revi'is from the beginning;

However, if there were two Mesim, and each of them had more than a Revi'is, all agree that a Chetzi Revi'is from one and a Chetzi Revi'is from the other join.

I heard that the Tosefta says so, but I did not find it.

Implied question: R. Yonason (Menachos 36b) holds that Hishamer of an Aseh is a Lav!

Answer: Here we answer according to Reish Lakish, who taught this (that the Torah could not command to fast through a Lav).

Implied question: Just like they are obligated in Orlah, they should be obligated in Ma'aser, and since they are obligated in Ma'aser, they receive Tum'as Ochlim;

Citation (Nidah 50a): Anything obligated in Ma'aser receives Tum'as Ochlim.

Summation of question: A Beraisa there teaches that they do not receive Tum'as Ochlim!

Answer: We distinguish between wet and dry peppers. (Only the former are obligated in Orlah and Ma'aser, and receive Tum'as Ochlim.)

Question (R. Shimshon of Yeinvila): In Eruvin (28a), we say that seeds of Gargir (a kind of mustard) must be tithed...

The Gemara asked what it is used for, and said that previous generations, which did not have peppercorns, would crush these seeds and dip roasted meat in them.

Inference: All the more so, peppers, which are better, even if they are dry, should be obligated in Ma'aser, and therefore receive Tum'as Ochlim!

Answer #1: Surely, peppers that were crushed and kneaded with water, like they do to dip things in, they themselves are proper to eat. They are obligated in Ma'aser, and receive Tum'as Ochlim;

However, those that were not kneaded with water, that were ground and stuck together like mere dust, like they make to put in a pot, are exempt from Ma'aser, for they are not proper to eat this way. They do not receive Tum'as Ochlim.

Answer #2: Gargir seeds are not obligated in Ma'aser just because they dip roasted meat in them;

Rather, after they are ground, they themselves are proper to eat. This is why they are obligated in Ma'aser;

The Gemara mentioned that people dipped roasted meat in them, and not that people eat them themselves, because they are ground primarily for dipping;

Peppers, even after they are ground, are not proper to eat by themselves, so they are exempt from Ma'aser.

Question: (The Mishnah in Nidah says that anything obligated in Ma'aser receives Tum'as Ochlim.) Spices are obligated in Ma'aser;

If one [gave to his neighbor a dough to bake or a pot to cook, and] told her to use her Se'or and spices, he must be concerned for Ma'aser and Shevi'is (Chulin 6a);

Spices do not receive Tum'as Ochlim. This is clear from Chulin 120a;

The Gemara suggested that Kipah is dregs of meat. Abaye rejected this, for dregs themselves receive Tum'as Ochlim! Rather, it is spices.

Answer #1: We can say that the Beraisa teaches that he must be concerned for Ma'aser only regarding Se'or [but not regarding spices]. Concern for Shemitah applies to both [Se'or and spices];

Even some animal foods are obligated in Shemitah (Shevi'is 8:1)!

Rejection - Citation (Eruvin 29a - Beraisa - R. Shimon ben Elazar): Half a Revi'is of spices; a Log of vegetables...;

Rashi explains that he discusses the minimum [amount of Ma'aser Oni] that one may give to an Oni at the granary. This shows that one must tithe spices!

Answer #2: There are many kinds of spices. Some are primarily for giving taste. They are exempt from Ma'aser, and do not receive Tum'as Ochlim. Chulin 120a discusses them;

Other kinds are proper to eat by themselves, such as onions, leeks, and similar matters. Sometimes one uses them to season a pot, e.g. Sheves (Nidah 51b). These are obligated in Ma'aser, and receive Tum'as Ochlim.

Chulin 6a and Eruvin 29a discuss them.

Implied question - Citation (Eruvin 29a): ... Because it taught spices, and spices are not proper to eat.

Answer: They are not proper to eat without any Tikun (improvement) at all. They need some Tikun;

Regarding Eruv, they must be proper [to eat] when the Eruv acquires (takes effect, Bein ha'Shemashos);

We find that one may not be Me'arev with wheat and barley, and they must be tithed.

Explanation: Dry [peppers] are not a food. This is why we say (Berachos 36b) that one need not bless on dry ginger.