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Masechet so far · Bekhorot 27 · בכורות כ״ז
The masechet so far, chapter by chapter
Masechet Bekhorot examines the consecration, redemption, and processing of firstborn male animals and related priestly gifts. Through Daf 27, the tractate progresses from non-kosher donkeys and kosher livestock to physical signs of prior birth, shearing prohibitions, and how long an owner must tend to a firstborn before giving it away.
Chapter 1 – הלוקח עובר חמורו: Redemption of the Firstborn Donkey
This chapter outlines the laws of redeeming a firstborn donkey with a lamb. Gentile partnership or ownership exempts the donkey fetus from firstborn sanctity, as does priestly or Levite lineage. If the owner refuses redemption, he must break the donkey's neck.
- Gentile ownership or partnership in a donkey fetus exempts the offspring from firstborn sanctity.
- A firstborn donkey is redeemed by giving a priest a male or female sheep or goat.
- If the owner chooses not to redeem the donkey, he breaks its neck from behind and buries it.
Chapter 2 – הלוקח עובר פרתו: Sanctity of Kosher Livestock Firstborns
The chapter details the holiness of firstborn kosher livestock given directly to the priest, known as a kohen. Gentile financial guarantees or shared ownership exempt offspring, while prior permanent blemishes limit an animal to monetary sanctity. The tractate also navigates uncertain twin births and caesarean deliveries.
- A gentile's right of seizure over guaranteed livestock exempts the born offspring from firstborn sanctity.
- An animal consecrated after a permanent blemish holds only monetary sanctity and may be redeemed for dogs.
- When twin male lambs emerge simultaneously, Rabbi Akiva awards the priest only the leaner twin.
- Neither a caesarean-born offspring nor the subsequent sibling attains firstborn holiness.
Chapter 3 – הלוקח בהמה: Signs of Prior Birth and Wool Restrictions
This chapter analyzes physical evidence proving an animal previously gave birth, such as a murky discharge or maternal nursing. It also clarifies the prohibition against shearing a firstborn animal, called a bekhor. Hand-plucking hair is permitted strictly to inspect a blemish or make room for slaughter.
- A murky uterine discharge indicates a prior fetus, exempting subsequent births from firstborn status.
- A nursing animal purchased from a gentile is presumed to have calved, exempting future offspring.
- Hand-plucking hair to examine a blemish or clear space for the slaughtering knife is fully permitted.
- Akavya ben Mahalalel and the Rabbis debate whether wool shed before slaughter from a blemished firstborn remains prohibited.
Chapter 4 – עד כמה: Raising Periods and Priestly Distribution
This chapter establishes the duration an owner must care for a firstborn animal before giving it to a priest. It also evaluates priestly transactions and the twelve-month timeframe for eating or sacrificing the animal.
- An owner must raise a small firstborn animal for thirty days and large cattle for fifty days.
- An Israelite may take payment to direct priestly gifts, but a priest cannot pay to receive them.
- A firstborn animal's sacrificial year spans twelve continuous months from birth across two calendar years.