Gemara Clarity

Beitzah 26a

ביצה כ״ו ע״א

Learn Beitzah 26a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Beitzah 26a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

A בכור that fell into a pit on יום טוב: the מחלוקת in the משנה, what case it describes, and a ברייתא on examining מומין on יום טוב

Overview

The משנה finishes רבי יהודה's view: if the בכור that fell into a pit on יום טוב has a מום, he may lift it out and slaughter it, and if not, he may not slaughter it. רבי שמעון says that an animal whose מום was not known before יום טוב is not מוכן. The גמרא suggests their argument is about examining מומין on יום טוב, and asks why the משנה did not teach that in a general case. It answers that the pit case teaches that we do not use a trick to lift the animal out because of צער בעלי חיים. The גמרא then asks why the משנה only says 'he may not slaughter.' The answer is that it is talking about someone who already lifted the animal out. After two more challenges, the גמרא settles on this case: the בכור had a temporary מום before יום טוב that became permanent on יום טוב, and it is still מוקצה. Finally, a ברייתא brings רבי יהודה הנשיא's ruling that an expert may go down and examine the animal. רבי שמעון בן מנסיא objects that one may not examine מומין on יום טוב, and his explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

אִם יֵשׁ בּוֹ מוּם —

If it has a blemish —

יַעֲלֶה וְיִשְׁחוֹט,

he may lift it out and slaughter it,

וְאִם לָאו —

and if not —

לֹא יִשְׁחוֹט.

he may not slaughter it.

The steps (13)

  1. Statementרבי יהודה: With a blemish, lift it and slaughter it
  2. Statementרבי שמעון: A blemish not known before the holiday makes it not prepared
  3. QuestionWhat is the argument about? Maybe checking blemishes on יום טוב
  4. ChallengeThen why not argue about checking blemishes in general?
  5. ResolutionThe pit case teaches: no trick to rescue it
  6. ChallengeThen it should say 'not lift and slaughter'
  7. ResolutionHe already lifted it out wrongly; still no slaughtering
  8. ChallengeHow could anyone think an unblemished בכור may be slaughtered?
  9. ResolutionThe animal got a blemish after it fell
  10. ChallengeBut the animal is מוקצה!
  11. ResolutionA temporary blemish before יום טוב that became permanent
  12. StatementA ברייתא: an expert may go down and check the animal
  13. Challengeרבי שמעון בן מנסיא: one may not examine blemishes on יום טוב