The masechet so far, chapter by chapter

Masechet Bekhorot details the sanctification, redemption, and sacrificial rules governing firstborn donkeys and kosher livestock. It currently explores the commercial handling, consumption, and medical treatment of blemished firstborn animals.

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

This chapter covers the obligation to redeem a firstborn male donkey with a lamb or kid goat. Gentile ownership or partnership exempts the animal, as does a donkey giving birth to an anomalous species. If an owner refuses to redeem the donkey, its neck must be broken, though redemption takes precedence.

Any gentile ownership share in a pregnant donkey completely exempts its offspring from firstborn sanctity.
An owner redeems a firstborn donkey with a sheep or goat, regardless of its gender, age, or blemishes.
If an owner does not redeem a firstborn donkey, he must break its neck and bury the carcass.

Chapter 2 – הלוקח עובר פרתו: Firstborn Sanctity of Kosher Livestock

This chapter addresses the sanctity of firstborn kosher domestic animals like cattle, sheep, and goats. It defines how gentile partnerships or guaranteed investment agreements exempt offspring from firstborn status. It also resolves cases of simultaneous twin births, caesarean section deliveries, and offspring resembling different animal species.

An animal born via caesarean section and any sibling delivered after it are both exempt from firstborn status.
Offspring of guaranteed livestock held for a gentile are exempt from firstborn holiness due to the gentile's seizure rights.
When twin male lambs emerge simultaneously, Rabbi Akiva awards the priest the leaner lamb due to doubt.

Chapter 3 – הלוקח בהמה: Determining Prior Birth and Shearing Restrictions

This chapter examines indicators that show whether an animal purchased from a gentile previously gave birth, such as uterine discharge or nursing. It also details the Torah prohibition against shearing a firstborn animal. Sages debate the permissibility of plucking wool to inspect blemishes or make room for slaughter, as well as using shed wool.

A murky uterine discharge or afterbirth proves prior pregnancy, exempting all subsequent births from firstborn sanctity.
A nursing animal bought from a gentile is presumed to have given birth, as animals only nurse their own.
An owner may pluck hair with a cleaver to inspect blemishes or facilitate slaughter if loosened hair remains unshifted.

Chapter 4 – עד כמה: Maintenance Periods, Expert Examiners, and Suspects

This chapter establishes the timeframes an owner must raise a firstborn before giving it to a priest, and when a blemished animal must be slaughtered. It outlines rules for expert inspectors and judicial immunity for court-appointed experts who err. Finally, it details commercial and legal restrictions placed on individuals suspected of violating firstborn, agricultural, or purity laws.

Owners must raise a firstborn sheep for thirty days and cattle for fifty days before giving it to a priest.
Court-authorized expert judges are exempt from paying compensation for erroneous rulings that cause monetary loss.
Blemish inspectors may receive a fixed fee for their time, but judges may only accept compensation for lost wages.

Chapter 5 – כל פסולי המוקדשין: Selling, Consuming, and Treating Disqualified Offerings

This chapter regulates the commercial handling of disqualified sacrificial animals versus blemished firstborns and animal tithes. While ordinary consecrated animals are sold in public markets to maximize Temple revenue, firstborns are sold privately at home. The chapter also establishes who may eat blemished firstborns and permits bloodletting to save an animal if no blemish is intentionally caused.

Disqualified consecrated offerings are sold in public markets, but blemished firstborns may only be sold and slaughtered at home.
Beit Hillel permit non-priests, gentiles, and ritually impure individuals to eat the meat of a blemished firstborn.
One may let blood to treat a congested firstborn, but cannot slaughter it using any blemish caused thereby.

Learn Bekhorot 33 on Super Daf