The masechet so far, chapter by chapter

Masechet Bekhorot details the laws governing the sanctification and redemption of firstborn animals (bechorot). Through daf 22, the tractate has addressed non-kosher firstborn donkeys, kosher livestock offerings, and how prior miscarriages establish an animal's birth status.

Chapter 1 – הלוקח עובר חמורו: Redemption of the Firstborn Donkey

This chapter defines the obligation to redeem a firstborn male donkey with a sheep or a goat. Ownership shared with a gentile or belonging to a priest or Levite removes the animal's sanctity. If the owner does not redeem the donkey, its neck must be broken.

Gentile partnership or priestly ownership entirely exempts a donkey fetus from firstborn sanctity.
A firstborn donkey must be redeemed with a sheep or goat, or else its neck is broken.
When a donkey bears twin male and female offspring of uncertain order, the owner keeps the designated lamb.

Chapter 2 – הלוקח עובר פרתו: Firstborn Kosher Animals and Sacrificial Status

This chapter explores the sanctity of firstborn male kosher livestock, which must be given to a priest as a sacrifice. It distinguishes between animals that developed blemishes before their consecration versus those that developed blemishes afterward. It also addresses the status of twins born simultaneously, offspring that resemble another species, and caesarean deliveries.

Animals blemished before consecration carry only monetary sanctity, so their offspring are subject to firstborn status after redemption.
A gentile's lien on guaranteed livestock exempts the offspring from firstborn sanctity.
When twin male lambs emerge together, Rabbi Tarfon awards the priest the fatter lamb, while Rabbi Akiva gives the leaner.
Caesarean offspring and those delivered naturally after them both lack firstborn sanctity.

Chapter 3 – הלוקח בהמה: Purchasing Animals with Uncertain Birth History

This chapter investigates whether an animal purchased from a gentile has previously given birth. Rabbi Yishmael determines firstborn status based on age limits, whereas Rabbi Akiva relies on signs of prior pregnancy. Discharges, afterbirths, and expelled masses are evaluated to determine if they exempt subsequent offspring.

Rabbi Akiva rules that a murky uterine discharge or afterbirth exempts subsequent offspring from firstborn sanctity.
A professional shepherd must examine murky discharge to verify that an expelled fetus exempts future offspring.
A miscarried mass of congealed blood exempts future births from firstborn sanctity and requires burial.

Learn Bekhorot 22 on Super Daf