Do Testicular Defects Disqualify a Sacrificial Offering?

The Tannaim debate whether internal reproductive injuries count as exposed blemishes that disqualify an animal from the altar.

The Case of Genital Defects

The Torah requires every sacrificial animal to be complete and free of disqualifying physical defects. In Leviticus 22:24, Scripture enumerates four distinct physical injuries to male reproductive organs: bruised, crushed, torn, and cut.

These injuries certainly disqualify an animal when they occur on the גיד (penis), which is an exposed external limb. The Tannaim argue over whether these injuries also constitute disqualifying blemishes when they affect the ביצים (testicles), which are enclosed inside the scrotum.

״וּמָעוּךְ וְכָתוּת וְנָתוּק וְכָרוּת״ — כּוּלָּן בַּבֵּיצִים, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יְהוּדָה.

'And that which is bruised, or crushed, or torn, or cut'—all of them apply to the testicles; this is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda. (Bekhorot 39b:6)

Three Tannaitic Rulings

Rabbi Yehuda maintains that all four biblical defects apply to the testicles as well as to the penis. In his view, any of these four injuries renders the animal unfit for the altar.

Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya'akov rules that none of these injuries disqualify when located on the testicles, applying only to the penis. Rabbi Yosei takes an intermediate view: bruised and crushed testicles disqualify, while torn and cut testicles do not disqualify an offering.

רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: כּוּלָּן בַּגִּיד. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: ״מָעוּךְ וְכָתוּת״ — אַף בַּבֵּיצִים, ״נָתוּק וְכָרוּת״ — בַּגִּיד אִין, בַּבֵּיצִים לָא.

Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya'akov says: All of them are considered blemishes only on the penis. Rabbi Yosei says: 'Bruised or crushed' apply also to the testicles; 'torn or cut' on the penis, yes, but on the testicles, no. (Bekhorot 39b:7)

The Hypothesis of Internal Lack

The Gemara initially suggests that this dispute connects to an inquiry raised by Rav Ahadvoi bar Ami. He asked whether a חסרון מבפנים (internal lack) disqualifies a sacrificial animal from being offered.

Under this suggestion, Rabbi Yehuda holds that internal damage is considered a disqualifying lack, while Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya'akov holds it is not. However, the Gemara refutes this theory because Rabbi Yosei distinguishes between crushed and cut organs. If the question turned on internal loss, both categories would share the same status.

Disputing What Constitutes Exposed Blemishes

The Gemara concludes that the Tannaim agree that sacrificial blemishes must be a מום שבגלוי (an exposed blemish). They argue instead over whether testicular damage produces an externally visible change.

Rabbi Yehuda holds that bruised and crushed testicles shrivel noticeably, while torn and cut testicles visibly dangle loose. Consequently, all four defects create an externally recognizable visual deformity.

רַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: ״מָעוּךְ וְכָתוּת״ הָוֵי מוּמָא, דְּמִיכַּוְוצָן, ״נָתוּק וְכָרוּת״ הָוֵי מוּמָא, דְּהָא תַּלְיָין.

Rabbi Yehuda holds: 'Bruised or crushed' is a blemish because they shrivel; 'torn or cut' is a blemish because they dangle. (Bekhorot 39b:10)

Natural Posture versus Destruction

Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya'akov counters that healthy testicles also contract and dangle at times during normal biological movement. Because these appearances occur naturally, internal testicular changes lack unmistakable outward evidence.

Rabbi Yosei distinguishes between anatomical destruction and structural detachment. Bruised or crushed testicles are entirely destroyed and no longer exist as functional organs. Torn or cut testicles, however, remain present inside the pouch, preserving their physical form. Commentaries like Tosafot are not available on Sefaria for this passage.

וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי סָבַר: ״מָעוּךְ וְכָתוּת״ הָוֵי מוּמָא — דְּהָא לֵיתַנְהוּ, ״נָתוּק וְכָרוּת״ לָא הָוֵי מוּמָא — דְּהָא אִיתַנְהוּ.

And Rabbi Yosei holds: 'Bruised or crushed' is a blemish because they no longer exist; 'torn or cut' is not a blemish because they are still present. (Bekhorot 39b:11)

Practical Stakes and Halachic Standing

What turns on this machloket is whether an animal with damaged testicles may be offered upon the altar. If the injury is deemed an exposed blemish, the animal is disqualified from sacrifice.

If the injury is not considered an exposed blemish, the animal maintains its fitness as an offering. The Gemara on our daf does not explicitly rule between these Tannaim, leaving their competing definitions of visibility side by side.

The Tannaim dispute whether testicular damage is an exposed blemish because healthy testicles naturally contract and dangle.

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