Bechoros 21a

בכורות כ״א ע״א

Bekhorot 21a

Learn Bechoros 21a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Bechoros 21a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Whether a young goat can give birth within its first year, and what the disagreement between the תנא קמא and רבי שמעון about the kid in the ברייתא is really about

Overview

The גמרא first asks whether the ברייתא shows that an animal that expelled a murky discharge (מטנפת) cannot give birth again within its year. It rejects that idea, because the ברייתא is talking about an animal that really gave birth. Next it quotes רבי שמעון, who said he saw a kid whose offspring became subject to מעשר within its first year. The גמרא asks what practical difference there is between him and the תנא קמא. It offers four possible answers, and each one accepts the point the previous answer said they argued about. First, they argue about זעירי's rule that a discharge stops pregnancy for 30 days. Second, they argue about whether an animal can give birth after incomplete months, meaning early. Third, they argue about whether part of a day counts as a whole day (מקצת היום ככולו). Fourth, they argue about whether a מחוסר זמן animal, one still too young to be offered, enters the pen to be tithed.

Opening lines

The steps (7)

1. ProofDoes the תנא hold a discharging animal can't give birth again that year?
2. RejectionNo proof: a mother that actually gave birth is different
3. QuestionWhat is the difference between the תנא קמא and רבי שמעון?
4. ResponseFirst answer: they argue about זעירי's 30-day rule
5. ResponseSecond answer: can an animal give birth early?
6. ResponseThird answer: does part of a day count as a whole day?
7. ResponseThey argue whether a too-young animal enters the pen for tithing