Gemara Clarity

Bechoros 2a

בכורות ב׳ ע״א

Bekhorot 2a

Learn Bechoros 2a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Bechoros 2a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

A donkey shared with a נכרי is פטור from בכורה, and whether רבי יהודה permits selling a fetus to a נכרי

Overview

The משנה opens מסכת בכורות. It lists five ways a Jew and a נכרי can share a donkey or its fetus: buying, selling, partnership, and two kinds of קבלה (raising an animal for a share of the offspring). In every case the newborn is פטור from בכורה, because the פסוק says 'בישראל' and not others. The גמרא asks why so many cases are needed and explains each one. Selling shows the seller is not penalized. Partnership rejects רבי יהודה, who obligates a partnership with a גוי. The מקבל is listed only as a pair to the נותן, and the נותן shows that the חכמים did not penalize the Jewish owner. The גמרא then quotes a משנה from עבודה זרה: רבי יהודה permits selling a broken animal to a נכרי. It asks whether he would also permit selling a fetus. A proof from our משנה is rejected. A second proof begins from a ברייתא of רבי יהודה about קבלה, and the discussion continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

מַתְנִי׳ הַלּוֹקֵחַ עוּבַּר חֲמוֹרוֹ שֶׁל נָכְרִי,

MISHNA: One who buys the fetus of a gentile's donkey,

וְהַמּוֹכֵר לוֹ,

and one who sells (his donkey's fetus) to him,

אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ רַשַּׁאי,

even though he is not permitted (to sell it),

הַמִּשְׁתַּתֵּף לוֹ, וְהַמְקַבֵּל הֵימֶנּוּ,

one who partners with him, and one who receives (a donkey) from him (to raise),

The steps (15)

  1. StatementThe משנה: a donkey shared with a gentile is exempt from firstborn status
  2. QuestionWhy does the משנה list so many cases?
  3. ResponseBoth buying and selling are needed
  4. QuestionWhy does the משנה list partnership?
  5. ResponsePartnership is listed to reject רבי יהודה
  6. QuestionWhy does the משנה need the case of the one who receives?
  7. ResponseIt is stated only because of its mirror case
  8. QuestionWhy does the משנה need the case of the one who gives in receivership?
  9. ResponseWithout it we might think the חכמים penalize the Jewish owner
  10. StatementA משנה elsewhere: רבי יהודה permits a broken animal, בן בתירא permits a horse
  11. QuestionWould רבי יהודה also permit selling a fetus?
  12. ProofProof attempt from our משנה: selling a fetus is forbidden and רבי יהודה is silent
  13. RejectionRejection: the משנה also records no argument on the partnership cases
  14. ConclusionHe argues even though the משנה does not record it, here too
  15. ProofNew proof attempt: רבי יהודה's ruling on receiving and giving animals in קבלה