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Daf prep · Bekhorot 43 · בכורות מ״ג
Before you learn Bekhorot 43
Where we left off
The previous daf debated levirate obligations for a טומטום (tumtum, person with concealed genitalia). The Gemara finishes that sugya and opens Chapter Seven on priestly blemishes.
The question going in
How do blemish laws transfer between animals and priests, and which bodily deformities disqualify a priest from service?
Know before you start
- גזירה שוה (verbal analogy): Identical biblical words connect two separate legal areas. Here, repeated terms apply animal blemishes to priests and priest blemishes to animals.
- שוה בזרעו של אהרן (uniform among Aaron's offspring): A priest must possess a standard human bodily form. Severe bodily abnormalities violate a positive commandment rather than profaning Temple service.
- מראית העין (appearance of a blemish): Certain visual defects are not biblical blemishes. The Sages disqualified priests with unsightly features solely to maintain Temple dignity.
Who's who
- Rava (רבא, Amora): Demonstrates why verses disqualifying blemishes in priests, sacrifices, and firstborn animals cannot be derived from each other.
- Rabbi Yoḥanan (רבי יוחנן, Amora): Explains that non-standard bodily deformities disqualify a priest because he is not uniform with Aaron's offspring.
- Rabbi Yehuda (רבי יהודה, Tanna): Deems a hunchback lacking an internal bone fit for service and permits bald priests.