Bechoros 14b

בכורות י״ד ע״ב

Bekhorot 14b

Learn Bechoros 14b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Animals blemished before their הקדש: redeeming their babies, slaughtering them outside, תמורה, and redemption after death

Overview

This amud continues the discussion of animals that already had a lasting מום before they were made holy. Such animals have only קדושת דמים. First the גמרא proves from a ברייתא that their babies can be redeemed without a מום, because the טפל cannot be stricter than the עיקר. From that reason it learns that a healthy male dedicated 'for its value' gets קדושת הגוף, which supports רבא. Next it turns to the משנה's ruling that slaughtering these animals outside is פטור. רבי אלעזר reads 'חייב' and places the case at a private במה. His source is an extra פסוק, 'לא תזבח', and the גמרא tests that source against בכור, מעשר, תמורה and ולדות, showing that each already has its own source. Then it explains why such an animal cannot make a תמורה, learning this from the extra words 'טוב ברע'. Finally, רב says that 'if they died, they are redeemed' follows רבי שמעון. The opposing חכמים are identified with the school of לוי, but the word 'אוֹתָהּ' is a problem for that view. The גמרא then begins a challenge to רב that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (27)

1. QuestionCan the babies of value-holy animals be redeemed while unblemished?
2. ProofA ברייתא: the babies may be sold without a blemish
3. ConclusionLearning from the ברייתא's reason: a healthy male gets full holiness
4. ProofThis supports רבא
5. StatementBack to the משנה: slaughtering them outside is exempt
6. Statementרבי אלעזר's reading: liable, about a private altar
7. Statementרבי אלעזר's source: a blemished animal on a private altar is forbidden
8. ChallengeWhy not apply the extra verse to a firstborn?
9. ResolutionThe firstborn already has its own explicit verse
10. ChallengeWhy not apply the extra verse to the animal tithe?
11. ResolutionThe tithe is learned from the firstborn
12. ChallengeMaybe the verse is about a substitute animal
13. ResolutionA substitute is compared to the original animal
14. Challengeרבי זירא: maybe the verse is about offspring of sacrifices
15. Resolutionרבא: Offspring Are Already Covered by a הקש to a נדר
16. QuestionWhy Can't It Make a Substitute?
17. ResponseAn Extra Phrase Teaches: Only an Animal Good From the Start Makes a Substitute
18. Statement'If They Died, They Are Redeemed' Follows רבי שמעון
19. ProofThe משנה Showing רבי שמעון's View
20. ResponseThe Word 'אוֹתָהּ' Excludes an Animal Blemished From the Start
21. QuestionThe חכמים say dead animals are buried, but who are they?
22. ResponseThe חכמים are the school of לוי, who include every animal
23. ProofLevi's own collection includes even a חיה and an עוף
24. ChallengeThe word 'אוֹתָהּ' should leave something out
25. ConclusionThe גמרא admits 'אוֹתָהּ' is a problem for Levi
26. QuestionDo the regular רבנן also redeem a blemished animal after death?
27. ChallengeIf so, the גמרא starts to challenge רב