Before you learn Bekhorot 53

Where we left off

The previous chapter concluded its discussion of a firstborn's inheritance rights. Chapter 9 opens fresh with the laws of animal tithe.

Where and when does the obligation of animal tithe apply? Can animals from different years or species combine for tithing?

מעשר בהמה (animal tithe): The Torah commands counting newborn livestock and sanctifying every tenth animal to God. The owner eats the meat, waiting for a blemish if it cannot be sacrificed.
תקלה (spiritual mishap): After the Temple's destruction, consecrated animals cannot be offered on the altar. Keeping holy animals creates a risk of shearing or working them illicitly.
קדשים קלים (offerings of lesser sanctity): Sacrifices like peace offerings are eaten by owners, who retain a monetary share in them. The Gemara examines whether such pre-sanctified animals can enter the tithing corral.
חדש וישן (new and old cohorts): Animals born before and after the annual cutoff date cannot be tithed together. The Torah treats each year's offspring as a separate group.

Rabbi Akiva (רבי עקיבא, Tanna): He teaches that animal tithes from outside the Land of Israel cannot be sacrificed.
Rabba (רבה, Amora): He attributes the cessation of animal tithe to the concern over spiritual mishaps.
Rav Huna (רב הונא, Amora): He suggests animal tithe was halted due to a decree regarding orphaned animals.
Rabbi Yosei HaGelili (רבי יוסי הגלילי, Tanna): He rules that offerings of lesser sanctity are considered the personal property of the owner.