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Daf prep · Bekhorot 35 · בכורות ל״ה
Before you learn Bekhorot 35
Where we left off
The Gemara examined whether Rabbinic penalties pass to a son after his father dies. That inquiry concludes regarding damage that is not visibly apparent.
The question going in
Which unintentional blemishes permit a firstborn animal for slaughter? Furthermore, who is trustworthy to testify that a blemish was accidental?
Know before you start
- היזק שאינו ניכר (damage that is not evident): Defiling pure food leaves no physical change on the object. By Torah law this is not considered actionable damage. The Rabbis penalized the wrongdoer personally, but they did not penalize his son.
- מום שבגלוי (external blemish): A firstborn animal may be slaughtered only on account of an external defect. A hidden defect inside the mouth counts if it becomes visible when the animal bleats.
- החשוד על הדבר (one suspected of a matter): A person suspected of committing a transgression may not judge or testify about that matter. Kohanim receive firstborn animals, so the Rabbis scrutinize their credibility regarding blemishes.
Who's who
- Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel (רבן שמעון בן גמליאל, Tanna): He holds a Kohen may testify about another Kohen's firstborn animal.
- Rabbi Meir (רבי מאיר, Tanna): He rules that someone suspected in a matter cannot judge or testify about it.
- Rav Pappa (רב פפא, Amora): He examines whether one may slaughter a firstborn kicked after it stopped pursuing.
- Rava (רבא, Amora): He defines where blemishes can be inflicted before birth and inside the mouth,.