Bechoros 18a

בכורות י״ח ע״א

Bekhorot 18a

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Topic

Exact precision (אפשר לצמצם) in עגלה ערופה, and two male firstborn lambs born together: who gets which, and whether the second owes מתנות.

Overview

The amud opens by explaining that the earlier opinion follows רבי יוסי הגלילי, who holds that exact precision (אפשר לצמצם) is possible. The גמרא then looks at a ברייתא about a body found exactly between two towns (עגלה ערופה). It concludes that the תנאים there argue about the word קרובה, not about precision. Another ברייתא, where the חכמים say the towns share one calf with a condition, proves that the רבנן hold exact precision is impossible, even for things in human hands. The גמרא then returns to the משנה of two male lambs whose heads came out together. רבי טרפון gives the כהן the better lamb, because the healthier one probably came out first. רבי יוחנן explains that according to רבי עקיבא the כהן takes the leaner one, and proves this from the end of the משנה. Next comes the מחלוקת between רבי מאיר and רבי יוסי about whether the second lamb owes מתנות, each with its reason. רבי אלעזר limits that מחלוקת to cases where the כהן already holds a replacement. The amud ends as the גמרא begins a challenge from רבי יוסי's words, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (23)

1. ResolutionHe follows רבי יוסי הגלילי: precision is possible
2. QuestionSuggestion: the תנאים of עגלה ערופה argue about precision
3. RejectionRejection: they could share one calf with a condition
4. ResolutionReal argument: does 'nearest' allow more than one town?
5. QuestionWhat is the final conclusion about the Rabbis' view?
6. ResponseA ברייתא about a body found exactly between two towns
7. ProofNeither 'possible' option fits the Rabbis' ruling
8. ConclusionThe Rabbis hold precision is impossible, even for human actions
9. QuestionWhy does רבי טרפון let the כהן choose the better lamb?
10. ResponseThe healthier lamb came out first
11. StatementAccording to רבי עקיבא, the כהן takes the leaner lamb
12. ChallengeDoesn't the משנה say they split the value?
13. Resolutionרבי יוחנן learned it from the end of the משנה
14. ProofProof from the later part of the משנה
15. Resolutionמשמנין means the extra fat is in doubt
16. QuestionWhy must the owner give מתנות from the second lamb?
17. ResponseThe כהן has a claim either way
18. QuestionWhat is רבי יוסי's reason?
19. ResponseAs if the כהן took it and sold it back
20. StatementEveryone agrees when the כהן got nothing in exchange
21. ChallengeIsn't רבי אלעזר's statement obvious?
22. ResolutionWe might have thought רבי יוסי had a different reason
23. ChallengeA challenge from the end of the משנה begins