Question (R. Bun bar Chiya to R. Ila): (The Mishnah taught (Zevachim 79(b)) that if there is a small amount, he may waste it on the roads) Why does this apply only to Demai - why not even definite Tevel? Why only a small amount - why not even a large amount? Didn't the Baraisa teach that one need not bring Terumah from the threshing floor to the (Kohen in the) city, nor from the desert to the town, unless it is a place of wild animals that can drag away the Terumah (causing disgrace to it), in which case he can bring it for the Kohen and deduct from it the cost of his efforts...?

Answer (R. Ila): Why wouldn't he need to bring it in from the desert to prevent it from being lost (as the Mitzvah of Hashavas Aveidah)? R. Yosi said that there is certainly a Mitzvah for a small quantity, but not a large quantity. And this Mitzvah applies to definite but not to Demai, as for Demai, he is not required to retrieve even a small amount, as the Mishnah taught, "if there is a small amount, he may waste it on the roads''.

Question: If the Mishnah refers to Maaser Sheni and it allows a small quantity to be wasted, it is only when he does not have money upon which to redeem the sanctity of the fruits, but if he does, perhaps he should redeem them rather than waste them?

(R. Nichumi son of R. Chiya bar Ba): My father once had money in his sack, but he nevertheless preferred to waste the fruits rather than use the money to redeem them.

R. Chiya bar Ba follows the opinion of R. Zeira (above Zevachim 79 (l)) (that the Mishnah is discussing Maaser Sheni of Demai and there is no requirement to add a fifth when redeeming it); R. Ila (who accepted R. Bun's comparison with Terumah in the Baraisa) follows R. Imi (ibid (m)) (that the Mishnah also discussed Terumas Maaser of Demai).