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Masechet so far · Bekhorot 24 · בכורות כ״ד
The masechet so far, chapter by chapter
Masechet Bekhorot addresses the consecration and redemption of male firstborn animals, encompassing non-kosher donkeys and kosher livestock. Through daf 24, the tractate investigates exemptions stemming from gentile ownership, doubtful birth scenarios, pre-existing blemishes, and physical proofs of prior delivery.
Chapter 1 – הלוקח עובר חמורו: Redemption of the Firstborn Donkey
This chapter details the obligation to redeem a firstborn male donkey with a sheep or a goat given to a priest. Any gentile partnership or ownership in the animal completely removes its firstborn status. If the owner declines to redeem the donkey, he must break its neck and bury the carcass.
- Partnership with a gentile in a donkey or its fetus exempts the offspring from firstborn status.
- A firstborn donkey must be redeemed with a lamb or kid given to a priest.
- If an owner refuses to redeem a firstborn donkey, he must break its neck and bury it.
- In doubtful births where a male donkey's seniority is uncertain, the priest receives nothing without proof.
Chapter 2 – הלוקח עובר פרתו: Sanctity of Kosher Firstborn Animals
This chapter outlines the laws of kosher firstborn livestock, which inherently possess sacred status upon birth. Gentile co-ownership or monetary collateral rights eliminate this sanctity, while pre-existing blemishes restrict consecration to monetary value. The text also resolves disputes regarding simultaneously born twin lambs, hybrid offspring, and caesarean extractions.
- Gentile partnership in a cow exempts its male offspring from firstborn sanctity.
- Animals dedicated after permanent blemishes hold only monetary sanctity, allowing their redemption for ordinary shearing and work.
- When twin male lambs emerge, Rabbi Tarfon awards the priest the fatter, while Rabbi Akiva gives the leaner.
- Neither a caesarean offspring nor the sibling born after it receives firstborn sanctity.
Chapter 3 – הלוקח בהמה: Purchased Animals of Uncertain Birth History
This chapter establishes presumptions for animals acquired from gentiles without documentation of prior births. Physical indicators such as a murky discharge or an expelled afterbirth verify prior pregnancy, which exempts subsequent births from firstborn sanctity. The discussion also covers nursing presumptions and permits loosening neck hair prior to slaughtering a blemished firstborn.
- Murky uterine discharge confirms a prior pregnancy and exempts subsequent offspring from firstborn sanctity.
- A nursing animal bought from a gentile is presumed to have calved, exempting her subsequent offspring.
- Plucking neck wool before slaughtering a firstborn is permitted only if the loosened hair remains in place.